The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, made a surprise and politically charged appearance on American television, delivering a joke aimed at former US President Donald Trump. The unexpected cameo occurred on Wednesday 3 December 2025 during a Christmas-themed comedy sketch on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
A Royal Audition with a Political Edge
In the segment, Harry played a version of himself auditioning for the role of a 'Christmas prince' in a fictional Hallmark movie. Highlighting America's noted fascination with royalty, the Duke quipped that the country had effectively 'elected a king', a clear nod to Donald Trump. The remark prompted loud, pantomime-style boos from the studio audience and was interpreted as a reference to the 'No Kings' movement, which protests against what it views as Trump's authoritarian tendencies.
The royal didn't stop there. He also made a pointed joke about the CBS network, which broadcasts Colbert's show. Harry referenced the network's settlement over a lawsuit alleging it edited a '60 Minutes' interview with Trump's presidential rival, Kamala Harris, to try and 'tip the scales' in her favour during the election campaign.
Colbert Fires Back as Show's End Looms
Pushing the joke further, Harry stated he would 'do anything' for the movie part, listing actions including: '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 swiftly retorted, 'Hey, I didn't do any of those things.' Harry's quick-witted reply — 'Maybe that's why you're cancelled' — directly referenced the impending end of The Late Show, which is set to finish in May 2025 after CBS cancelled it in what was described as a financial decision.
In the pantomime-inspired sketch, Harry's audition was successful, and he won the role of the Christmas prince. The appearance was teased hours before broadcast in a social media video featuring Harry and Colbert lip-syncing to a soundbite from Alison Hammond of The Great British Bake Off. The clip was also shared by the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan, on her Instagram story.
A History of Headline-Making Appearances
This marked Prince Harry's second time on Colbert's programme, having previously appeared in January 2023 to promote his memoir, Spare. That earlier visit set a two-year viewership record for the show. Other guests on Wednesday's episode included Academy Award nominee Michael Shannon and Irish actor and singer Jessie Buckley.
Since stepping back as working members of the Royal Family in January 2020, Harry and Meghan have been raising their children in Montecito, California. This latest foray into American late-night television demonstrates the Duke's continued willingness to engage with US media and culture, often blending humour with subtle political commentary.
