Prince Harry has sparked controversy and delight in equal measure after a surprise television appearance where he took a pointed swipe at former US President Donald Trump.
A Surprise Cameo and a Cheeky Jibe
The Duke of Sussex made an unexpected cameo on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Wednesday, 3 December 2025. In a pre-recorded comedy sketch, Harry portrayed himself auditioning for a role as a 'Christmas prince' in a Hallmark movie. When host Stephen Colbert questioned why a real prince would want such a part, Harry quipped: "You Americans are obsessed with Christmas movies, and you're clearly obsessed with royalty, so why not?"
Pushing back on the claim of an American obsession with monarchy, Colbert prompted the Duke's most biting remark. Harry retorted: "Really? I hear you elected a king." The joke was widely interpreted as a reference to the 'No Kings' protests aimed at the Trump administration.
Inside the Studio: An Audience Member's Account
As the sketch spread rapidly across social media, one audience member has revealed what it was like to witness the moment live. Cathy, a royal fan using the Instagram handle @sunshine_cat8, commented on the show's official page with her eyewitness account.
"I was actually THERE!! I had no clue that Prince Harry was going to come out and do that," she wrote excitedly. "We were told Michael Shannon and Jesse Buckley. The audience went crazy. Let me tell you."
She praised Harry's performance, adding: "It was a fantastic skit so funny and we were all shocked at the acting chops our Prince Harry had lol it was a great show." Other fans responded with envy, with one writing "I'm so jealous lol" and another calling it "super fun."
Royal Tensions and Expert Warnings
The incident has not been universally applauded, however, coming just months after a state visit to the UK by Donald Trump and First Lady Melania, where the former president and King Charles spoke warmly of the nations' relationship.
Royal commentator Tom Sykes, editor of The Daily Beast's Royalist newsletter, argued that the situation leaves the Royal Family with little choice. He suggested Harry should be stripped of his titles to clarify that his views are personal and not representative of the monarchy.
"Harry believes he's free to speak his mind now that he's no longer a working royal," Sykes wrote. "But he isn't Harry Wales. He's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. And in the American imagination, he still carries the full aura of a prince - a representative of the monarchy."
Sykes emphasised that a global audience may not distinguish between Harry's independent actions and the official stance of the House of Windsor, potentially causing diplomatic friction.
