Prince Harry’s latest bid to charm American audiences didn’t just fall flat — it triggered an audible backlash that could haunt his already damaged public image on both sides of the Atlantic. His appearance Wednesday night on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was meant to be lighthearted, perhaps even endearing. Instead, it sparked fresh controversy — and even boos from a late-night audience not known for conservative leanings — after Harry made a poorly timed jab at President Donald Trump.
What was meant as a satirical sketch quickly turned awkward. Stepping onto the stage, the estranged royal tried to poke fun at American traditions and politics, quipping, “I genuinely thought this was the audition for The Gingerbread Prince Saves Christmas in Nebraska.” So far, harmless. But things took a turn when Harry joked that Americans are “obsessed with Christmas movies and royalty,” only to drop the punchline: “Really? I heard you elected a king,” an unmistakable reference to Trump.
The audience reaction? Boos and groans.
It was a rare moment — a Colbert crowd reacting negatively to a Trump dig. Even the host, usually quick to pile on anti-Trump sentiment, seemed caught off guard, muttering, “That’s a fair point, he’s got a point,” in an attempt to pacify the audience.
But Harry didn’t stop there. He went on to reference the American Revolution with a jab at King George III — his own ancestor — and made a sarcastic comment about settling “a baseless lawsuit with the White House,” referring to the $16 million settlement between Trump and Paramount over an edited “60 Minutes” segment. When Colbert distanced himself from the gag, Harry delivered the dagger: “Maybe that’s why you’re canceled.”
The sketch ended in uncomfortable silence, broken only by fake snow and an awkward hug. It was theater, yes — but also a glimpse into how little goodwill the Duke of Sussex has left.
Reaction online was swift. Critics labeled the appearance “cringe,” while some conservative commentators renewed calls to deport the royal, a sentiment Trump himself once joked about. The president, while not formally advocating Harry’s removal, has made it clear he doesn’t care for him — or his wife. “He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible,” Trump said earlier this year.
Beyond personal dislike, Trump has repeatedly accused the Biden administration of “protecting Harry,” citing what he calls betrayal of the Queen and the British monarchy — a transgression Trump has described as “unforgivable.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have long expressed disapproval of Trump. Markle’s 2016 remarks calling him “divisive” and “misogynistic” led to a now-infamous retort from the then-candidate, who labeled her comments “nasty.” The feud hasn’t cooled since.