King Charles’ recent state visit to the United States became prime material for Saturday Night Live, sparking a flurry of pointed jokes and playful jabs at the royal family and their connections.
The iconic American comedy show didn’t shy away from tackling sensitive topics, turning its attention to both the King’s meetings with President Trump and the ongoing complexities surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
During the “Weekend Update” segment, co-anchor Michael Che began with a humorous observation about the King’s meeting with New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, playfully suggesting the King might have considered bringing the mayor back to England.
The comedic bar was then raised significantly by Colin Jost, who delivered a particularly biting line, characterizing the King’s visit as a mission to secure the release of a “British hostage” held by an “American terrorist” – a clear reference to Meghan Markle.
The humor didn’t stop there. Jost continued by referencing Trump’s past association with Prince Andrew, suggesting the former President could simply refer to him as “Andrew (Island)” in his phone contacts.
The show cleverly illustrated this point with a visual gag, displaying an image labeled “Andrew (Island)” on screen, drawing laughter from the audience.
This playful roasting followed a gesture of goodwill from King Charles, who gifted President Trump a golden bell recovered from a World War II submarine, the HMS Trump, adding another layer to the unfolding narrative.
Viewers quickly took to social media to share their reactions, praising the hosts’ sharp wit and fearless approach to tackling royalty. Many highlighted Che’s strong opening and the overall quality of the “Weekend Update” segment.
One commenter noted the “perfect mix of funny and realistic” in the “Andrew (Island)” joke, while another praised the sincerity of the punchline in the Mamdani gag, appreciating the comedic timing and audience engagement.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, the UK edition of Saturday Night Live responded to its American counterpart, addressing a previous sketch that had mocked actress Aimee Lou Wood’s teeth.
Wood, hosting the UK show, confronted the cast and crew, finding them all covering their mouths in a playful jab at the earlier criticism, demonstrating a willingness to address and satirize perceived slights.
The actress had previously described the original US sketch as “mean and unfunny,” but received apologies from both the comedian involved and SNL itself, highlighting a sensitivity to the impact of their humor.
The exchange between the two shows underscored a shared commitment to satire and a willingness to poke fun at both sides of the Atlantic, solidifying Saturday Night Live’s reputation as a platform for fearless commentary.
