The Prince of Wales has picked some of his favourite songs for a special radio programme marking the UK’s first ”Thank You Day”. The hour long special also celebrates the anniversary of the foundation of the National Health Service and will be broadcast just hours before the NHS marks its birthday.
Prince Charles has chosen thirteen songs for the show, all of them associated with important moments or parts of his life. Among the music making up his playlist is ”They Can’t Take That Away From Me”, performed by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and Charles Trenet singing ”La Mer”.
The prince also includes a track from a group he was famously a big fan of back in the 1970s and 1980s. ”Givin’ Up, Givin’ In” by The Three Degrees has very personal memories for him as they performed the song at his 30th birthday party. Charles says that it ”long ago, used to provide me with an irresistible urge to get up and dance.”
As well as sharing his thoughts on his favourite music, the Prince of Wales pays tribute to many people working across healthcare in the UK for their work during the coronavirus pandemic. Speaking of the NHS, Charles tells the programme that he has been “profoundly impressed by the dedication shown by our wonderful N.H.S. staff and volunteers right across the country”.
The programme is being played on the 180 member stations of the Hospital Broadcasting Association, staffed by thousands of volunteers. Prince Charles pays tribute to hospital radio, saying that it ”provides an invaluable service to patients, staff and families. During current times, when we have been dealing with the effect of this dreadful pandemic, the role of Hospital Radio has been even more important, and I know it has been of immeasurable value in connecting people, in providing comfort and companionship, and in raising people’s spirits when that is needed.”
Grant McNaughton, Chairman of the Hospital Broadcasting Association, said ”We are exceptionally grateful for HRH The Prince of Wales to recognise the dedication to volunteers across the UK who have continued to assist healthcare providers throughout these difficult times. Local dedicated and focussed entertainment provided to hospital and healthcare patients has and remains an exceptionally important part of recovery and recuperation.”
The programme goes out on July 4th 2021 at 12 noon, as the UK marks its first ‘Thank You Day”. The special event is being celebrated by organisations and individuals with the aim of saying thank you to all those who help others. It comes just hours ahead of the 73rd anniversary of the foundation of the National Health Service which came into being on July 5th 1948.
All the songs chosen by the Prince of Wales will be available as a Spotify playlist on the Clarence House social media channels after the programme goes out.
