Was Harry referencing Trump in joke for Late Show sketch?

The Duke of Sussex appeared to joke about US President Donald Trump in an appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.

Prince Harry appeared in a US TV sketch with Colbert, where he auditioned as himself for a "Christmas prince" role in a romantic TV film, for the Hallmark Channel.

Appearing behind Colbert, the prince joked he was lost while searching for an audition for the "Gingerbread Christmas Prince saves Christmas in Nebraska", and the TV host asked him why a real prince would want to star in such a film.

Prince Harry said Americans were "obsessed" with Christmas movies and royalty, but when Colbert queried this, the duke replied: "Really? I hear you elected a king," possibly referencing October's "No Kings" protests directed at the Trump administration.

The protests saw huge crowds taking part in protests against Trump's policies in cities including New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Miami and Los Angeles.

Referencing US TV network CBS' recent settlement with Trump, the duke joked he would "do anything" to get the part, adding: "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 replied: "Hey, I didn't do any of those things," to which Harry said: "Maybe that's why you're cancelled."

He was referencing The Late Show with Stephen Colbert ending in May 2026 after 33 years on air, in a surprise announcement from CBS in July.

The sketch then featured festive trees and sleigh bells ringing, with the duke telling Colbert to "just believe".

Colbert later told the prince he would give him the role as "official Late Show prince of Christmas", to cheers from the crowd.

Colbert's other guests were Michael Shannon, who is in the newly released film Nuremberg, and Irish actress and singer Jessie Buckley, who co-stars in the forthcoming film Hamnet with Paul Mescal.

This was the prince's second Late Show appearance. In January 2023 he was there to promote his memoir Spare, and that show set a two-year viewership record, making global headlines.

The Duchess of Sussex shared the announcement of the prince's latest appearance in a clip on her Instagram story.

The duke and duchess moved to California in 2020 after announcing they would step back as "senior" royals and work to become financially independent.