Prince Harry Skewers 'King' Trump on Colbert
Prince Harry made a surprise entrance on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," turning heads with a sharp jab that left the audience buzzing. As the Duke of Sussex stepped onto the stage, he didn't just bring royal charm — he delivered a pointed quip that cut straight to the heart of American politics. "Really? I hear you elected a king," Harry said, setting the tone for a skit that mixed humor with a clear nod to President Donald Trump's self-styled royal persona.
A Royal Entrance With a Political Punch
The moment came during a playful exchange about Americans' fascination with Christmas movies and royalty. Harry joked about auditioning for a fictional Hallmark-style film titled "The Gingerbread Prince Saves Christmas in Nebraska." When Colbert questioned why a real prince would want such a role, Harry pointed to the American obsession with both Christmas movies and royalty. Colbert pushed back, denying the obsession, which gave Harry the perfect opening for his sharpest line: "Really? I hear you elected a king," as reported by PEOPLE.
The audience's reaction was mixed, with boos and groans punctuating the moment, underscoring the divisive nature of the joke. Colbert acknowledged the crowd's response, telling them, "That's a fair point, no, he's got a point," as reported by the New York Post, highlighting the tension between humor and political reality.
The 'King' Reference: More Than Just a Joke
Harry's line was a direct reference to Trump's February 2025 social media post where the former president reportedly called himself a king. The White House's official Instagram account even shared a doctored Time magazine cover showing Trump wearing a crown with the headline "Long live the king," as reported by PEOPLE. This self-styled royal imagery sparked the "No Kings" movement, which protested what participants described as Trump's authoritarian tendencies. Demonstrations took place on Trump's birthday and during a government shutdown, reflecting widespread unease about his political style.
The joke also touched on a deeper cultural and political moment. Harry's humor was layered with a critique of power and media influence, especially given the recent $16 million lawsuit settlement between Trump and CBS, the network behind "The Late Show." The settlement stemmed from allegations that CBS deceptively edited an interview with Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential election campaign.
The Late Show's Controversial End
The settlement was followed by the abrupt cancellation of "The Late Show," a decision Colbert publicly linked to the fallout from the Trump lawsuit and the network's broader financial challenges. Harry's skit, which included a line about settling a baseless lawsuit with the White House, was a clear nod to this controversy. When Harry joked, "I'll record a self-tape, I'll fly myself to an audition, settle a baseless lawsuit with the White House — all the things you people in TV do," Colbert responded, "Hey, I didn't do any of those things," as reported by PEOPLE. Harry's quick comeback, "Maybe that's why you're canceled," landed as a sharp critique of the tangled relationship between media, politics, and power.
A History of Political Jabs
This was not Harry's first time on "The Late Show." His previous appearance in early 2023, promoting his memoir "Spare," drew the show's biggest audience in two years and made international headlines. Despite his public digs at American politics, Harry has maintained that he remains neutral in U.S. political affairs, citing his inability to vote and his desire to avoid partisan labels.
Still, Harry has spoken about leadership and the dangers of sacrificing empathy for power. He warned of the "detrimental effect" when "basic morals and empathy are abandoned in favor of power and control," as reported by PEOPLE, a statement that resonates with the tone of his recent "Late Show" appearance.
The Royal and the President: A Complex Relationship
Harry and Trump's paths have crossed before, notably during Trump's 2019 visit to the royal family. Trump has expressed admiration for Queen Elizabeth and King Charles, calling the latter a "remarkable" leader, as reported by PEOPLE. However, his comments about Meghan Markle, Harry's wife, have been less flattering. Earlier this year, Trump dismissed calls to deport Harry over visa issues, instead taking a jab at Meghan, calling her "terrible."
The tension between the two figures adds another layer to Harry's "Late Show" appearance. His humor, while lighthearted on the surface, carries the weight of ongoing political and personal dynamics that continue to captivate public attention.
What the Audience Saw
The skit ended with an awkward embrace between Colbert and Harry as fake snow fell on them, a theatrical close to a moment that blended comedy, critique, and cultural commentary. The audience was left with a mix of laughter, boos, and reflection on the state of American politics and media.
For viewers, Harry's surprise visit was a reminder that even royalty can wield humor as a tool to comment on power, influence, and the peculiarities of American political life.
Whether you cheered, jeered, or simply watched in disbelief, the line "Really? I hear you elected a king" will linger as a memorable moment in the ongoing saga of politics and celebrity.
References: Prince Harry Jokes About Trump on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' | Prince Harry Goes Nuclear on 'King' Trump in Colbert Interview | Prince Harry takes jab at Trump, inciting boos during awkward skit on 'Late Show' with Stephen Colbert
