King Charles chuckles at jokes about the dark future for immigrants under Donald Trump

King Charles III’s laughter at a joke about Donald Trump’s stance on illegal immigration during the Royal Variety Performance on November 22 has sparked concern, particularly given the looming potential threats to his son, Prince Harry’s, status in the U.S. under Trump’s presidency. The moment occurred when political satirist Matt Forde, impersonating Trump, joked about immigrants allegedly eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, and playfully warned King Charles, who shares a name with a spaniel, to be careful. The camera captured Charles laughing heartily at the joke, which later led to a tongue-in-cheek tweet from Forde, who joked about committing “treason” for making such a comment in front of the monarch.

Forde, who met King Charles backstage, explained that his intention was never to make the joke malicious but to have fun with Trump’s infamous statements. He even shared that Charles had expressed that he had “waited 300 years” to hear such a joke, which the comedian took as a green light for his humor.

The joke, while lighthearted, stands in contrast to the gravity of the political situation surrounding Prince Harry, who, as an American resident, faces possible deportation threats under Trump’s administration. Trump has previously stated that he would take “appropriate action” against Harry if it were discovered that the Duke lied on his U.S. visa application about his past drug use. This has understandably caused concern for Harry and his family, especially with Trump poised to return to power in January 2025.

This public display of humor by King Charles may appear disconnected from the potential struggles his son could face with the Trump administration. Prince Harry has already been evicted from Frogmore Cottage in the U.K., and his family’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain. In this light, the king’s laughter at a joke poking fun at Trump’s controversial policies seems to reflect a larger divide between the royal family’s public persona and the personal stakes that Harry may soon face on the world stage.