AceShowbiz - On May 11, Rod Stewart and Ron Wood made headlines not only for their musical reunion but also for a candid exchange with King Charles III at the Royal Albert Hall. During the event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the King’s Trust, the former Faces bandmates were overheard on an open microphone discussing politics, notably criticizing Donald Trump shortly after his visit to the United States.

As part of a receiving line, Rod Stewart greeted King Charles with warm praise, saying, "Hello, Sir, may I say, well done with the Americans. You were superb, absolutely superb. You put that little ratbag in his place." This unexpected political remark drew international attention.

However, the primary focus remained on their musical performance. The duo reunited on stage for the King’s Trust Celebration concert, performing the classic Faces track "Ooh La La" alongside Jools Holland & His Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. Ron Wood took the lead vocals on this song, mirroring his role on the original 1973 Faces recording. Meanwhile, Rod Stewart delivered lead vocals on "Good Rockin’ Tonight," a track from his 2024 collaboration with Holland, featured on their album Swing Fever.

The King’s Trust, founded by King Charles in 1976, is dedicated to helping young people in England who face economic hardship. The organization’s first fundraising concert was held at the Royal Albert Hall in 1982, featuring stars such as Kate Bush, Phil Collins, and Pete Townshend. Since then, many iconic artists including Mick Jagger, Elton John, and Sting have contributed to its events. The Faces reunion marked the highlight of this year’s celebration, which also showcased performances by Rita Ora, Craig David, and Anne-Marie, and featured a notable appearance by George and Amal Clooney.

Rod Stewart and Ron Wood have been hinting at a Faces reunion album for several years. Drummer Kenney Jones recently revealed in an interview with The Telegraph that the group has recorded 11 songs, with many being strong contenders for the album. He suggested that the release might not happen in 2026 but could arrive the following year. He also noted that the members are balancing various commitments, recording sporadically while managing other projects and tours.

Despite the anticipation, the Faces reunion album has been described as a long-delayed project, often predicted to be "about a year away" each time it is discussed. Jones’s comments emphasize that although Rod Stewart has a packed schedule—resuming his residency at Caesar’s Palace on May 27 and touring North America throughout the summer before returning to Vegas in August—the band is still making progress on new material.

Contrary to Jones’s mention of the Rolling Stones’ touring as a complicating factor, the band has not performed live since July 2024 and has opted out of European tours in both 2025 and 2026. Additionally, the Stones currently have no plans to tour in support of their upcoming album, Native Tongues.

The evening at the Royal Albert Hall thus served as both a musical reunion and a moment of candid conversation, capturing the ongoing legacy of Rod Stewart and Ron Wood as they balance their rich history with current projects and future plans.