Prince Harry Uses Colbert Appearance to Skewer Trump and Media Settlements
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A surprise appearance by Prince Harry on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Wednesday quickly turned into a platform for pointed political commentary, with the Duke of Sussex delivering several jabs at former President Donald Trump and the dynamics of media settlements. The impromptu segment, framed as an audition for a Hallmark Christmas movie, allowed Harry to address current events with a comedic edge.
The unexpected cameo saw Harry taking the stage mid-show, claiming he was vying for the role of a “Gingerbread Prince” in a festive film. This premise served as a springboard for a five-minute sketch filled with subtle, yet pointed, critiques.
Royal Commentary on American Politics
When Colbert inquired about Harry’s interest in a Christmas movie, the Duke responded, “Well, you Americans are obsessed with Christmas movies and you’re clearly obsessed with royalty, so why not?” Colbert playfully pushed back, stating, “Hold on, I wouldn’t say we’re obsessed with royalty.” Harry retorted with a wry observation: “I heard you elected a king.”
This remark directly referenced Trump’s self-proclaimed title of “king” in February 2025, during a dispute over New York’s congestion pricing plan. The former president’s statement ignited protests across the country, with demonstrators carrying “No Kings” signs. Harry further drew a parallel between the American electorate’s choice and the historical scrutiny of his ancestor, stating he found it ironic given the attention paid to his “great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather, George III.” Colbert responded with a blunt assessment of the historical figure, saying, “Well, he was kind of a jerk.”
A Dig at Media Compromises
The conversation took a sharper turn when Harry joked about the lengths he would go to secure the Christmas movie role. “I’ll record a self-tape, I’ll fly myself to an audition, settle a baseless lawsuit with the White House,” he quipped, “All the things you people on TV do.”
Colbert immediately distanced himself from such actions, responding, “Hey hey hey, Harry, I didn’t do any of those things.” Harry’s reply, “Maybe that’s why you’re canceled,” landed with particular weight, referencing the controversial July decision by Paramount, Colbert’s parent company, to settle a lawsuit brought by Trump for $16 million. The settlement, widely criticized as an attempt to smooth the path for a merger with Skydance Media, prompted strong condemnation from Colbert himself. He later clarified that the cancellation announcement of his show occurred before his public criticism of the settlement.
The exchange highlights the complex relationship between media organizations and powerful figures, and the potential compromises made in the pursuit of corporate interests. While presented as humor, Harry’s comments underscored the real-world implications of such decisions and the perceived pressure on media outlets to avoid conflict with influential individuals.
