NBC’s Saturday Night Live sparked controversy after a segment mocked the British royal family during coverage of King Charles III’s visit to the U.S., including a joke labeling Meghan Markle an “American terrorist.”
The remarks aired during the show’s “Weekend Update” segment, hosted by Michael Che and Colin Jost.
Jost introduced a photo of Markle and Prince Harry and joked that King Charles’ trip was partly to “seek the release of a British hostage being held by an American terrorist,” referring to Markle.
The sketch included additional jokes targeting the royal family.
Che referenced New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, joking about his meeting with King Charles and referencing Mamdani’s prior comments about returning the Koh-i-Noor diamond to India. The segment also included remarks about Prince Andrew and his past controversies.
The jokes aired during coverage of King Charles III’s multi-day visit to the United States.
The trip included stops in Washington, D.C., New York City, and Virginia, where the king met with President Donald Trump and delivered a speech to Congress. The visit was his first to the U.S. since becoming monarch.
The SNL segment framed the visit as a backdrop for satire, combining commentary on U.S.-U.K. relations with criticism of individual figures.
The joke about Markle drew the strongest reaction.
Critics argued the “terrorist” label crossed a line, even within a comedic context, while others defended it as part of the show’s long-standing approach to political and cultural satire.
The segment also referenced Trump’s interaction with the royal visit.
During a White House event, Trump suggested that King Charles shared his stance on preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, a comment that drew attention during the trip.
The broader sketch leaned heavily on controversial material.
Jokes about Prince Andrew and references to past scandals were included alongside commentary about modern political tensions and public figures on both sides of the Atlantic, per the Daily Mail.
SNL has a history of targeting high-profile individuals.
The show regularly uses satire to comment on politics, entertainment, and global events, often drawing backlash when jokes push boundaries. The royal family, particularly Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, has been a frequent subject of such commentary.
No official response from Markle or Prince Harry was included in the report.
The controversy highlights how late-night comedy continues to operate in a space where public figures are regularly scrutinized, but also where the line between satire and offense remains contested.
The reaction to the segment reflects broader divisions over what is considered acceptable in political and cultural humor, especially when it involves prominent international figures and sensitive topics.
