In a heart-warming tribute this Commonwealth Day, King Charles opened up about his deep admiration for reggae legend Bob Marley, calling his music “marvellous” and full of “infectious energy.” The King shared these personal reflections during a special broadcast in collaboration with Apple Music, where he curated a playlist of songs that hold special meaning for him.
Looking back on a memorable meeting with Marley during one of the singer’s visits to London, Charles described him as “captivating” and “profoundly sincere.” The King praised Marley for using his voice to uplift his community and inspire hope. Fittingly, Marley’s timeless anthem Could You Be Loved made it to the playlist, this time performed by the King’s Guard, adding a regal twist to the reggae classic.
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But Marley wasn’t the only Caribbean legend to feature on the King’s list. He also included Millie Small’s upbeat hit My Boy Lollipop, which he described as brimming with charm and energy. Charles took the opportunity to acknowledge the Windrush generation, whose cultural contributions have deeply shaped British society.
The playlist showed us the King’s wide-ranging tastes, shaped by decades of travel and encounters with artists around the world. Grace Jones’s sultry La Vie en Rose earned a spot, along with pop icons Michael Bublé and Kylie Minogue. Charles fondly remembered Minogue’s performance of The Loco-Motion during the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, saying it was “impossible not to dance.”
The King also shared more personal stories connected to his song choices. He spoke of his childhood memories of listening to Al Bowlly’s The Very Thought of You, a song that reminds him of his beloved grandmother. He reminisced about his visits to Ghana, where he discovered the magical sounds of Highlife music, and chuckled about the time Ghana’s first Prime Minister, Kwame Nkrumah, gifted him a bow and arrow during a stay at Balmoral.
Charles wrapped up his musical journey with Diana Ross’s Upside Down, admitting it still makes him want to dance.
Sharing his playlist, King Charles offered a rare, personal glimpse into his life and his connection and belief in the power of music to connect people across cultures and generations.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.