Prince Harry has faced backlash after a surprise appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where he took part in a comedy sketch about becoming a Hallmark Christmas prince. Critics have pointed to the irony of a real prince seeking a role in a fictional film, with former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond calling the move “unnecessary” and “painfully close to the truth”.
During the segment, Colbert questioned why an actual prince would want to star in such productions. Harry replied: “You Americans are obsessed with Christmas movies, and you're clearly obsessed with royalty, so why not?” When Colbert challenged the notion of an American obsession, Harry quipped: “Really? I hear you elected a king,” in an apparent reference to anti-Trump “No Kings” demonstrations.
Jennie Bond told the Mirror: “I can’t for the life of me think why Harry chose to do this. What was in it for him? The result was an onslaught of criticism – for a rather stilted performance, for a political joke and for the timing (with his father in law in hospital and the State Banquet at Windsor).” She added that the contrast between Harry “larking around as a LA celebrity” and the Royal Family hosting the German president for a state visit was “stark”.
Royal commentator Tom Sykes, editor of the Royalist newsletter, called for Harry to be stripped of his titles to make clear his views do not represent the monarchy. Bond advised Harry to “stick to his charity work and campaigning on issues he cares about” rather than pursuing showbusiness.
