At The King’s Trust’s 50th Anniversary Celebration in London on May 11, King Charles continued to receive glowing reviews for his recent state visit to the United States. The prestigious event, held at the Royal Albert Hall, brought together an array of celebrities, including Rita Ora, Anne-Marie, and Craig David, to celebrate the milestone. However, it was a casual conversation between King Charles and rock legend Rod Stewart that captured the most attention.
As Stewart greeted the monarch, he offered hearty congratulations for the success of the U.S. trip—before adding a remark that introduced a slightly awkward moment for the king, who is known for maintaining political neutrality. “May I say, well done in the Americas,” Stewart, 81, began. “You were superb. Absolutely superb. You put that little rat bag in his place.” The comment, which was captured on video and shared by Rebecca English of the Daily Mail, was immediately understood by many to be a veiled reference to former U.S. President Donald Trump, with some observers even interpreting it as a jab.
The crowd’s reaction, with laughter ringing out nearby, suggested that Stewart’s words were indeed a pointed reference to Trump, with whom he had once been friends. Stewart and Trump were neighbors in Florida for years, but their relationship soured over time. In an interview with Radio Times last year, Stewart explained that he no longer considered Trump a friend, citing the former president’s controversial stance on issues such as the U.S. administration’s arms sales to Israel. Stewart further criticized Trump’s treatment of women, describing how, after Trump became president, “he became another guy. Somebody I didn’t know.”
Despite Stewart’s cheeky comment, King Charles’ visit to the U.S. was largely seen as a triumph, with the monarch’s four-day trip being praised for its diplomatic significance. One of the most well-received moments of the visit was King Charles’ historic address to the U.S. Congress, which followed in the footsteps of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth, who also addressed Congress during her 1991 visit. In his speech, the king incorporated humor, referencing the absence of King George III from America and assuring the assembly, “I am not here as part of some cunning rearguard action!”
The king also addressed the current geopolitical climate, noting that the world is “more volatile and more dangerous” today than it was when Queen Elizabeth visited in 1991. King Charles emphasized the importance of international cooperation, highlighting that the challenges facing the world today are too great for any one nation to bear alone. “Ours is an indispensable partnership,” he said, referring to the alliance between the U.K. and the U.S. “We must not disregard everything that has sustained us for the last 80 years. Instead, we must build on it.”
The success of King Charles’ trip was further underscored by a somewhat surprising compliment from none other than Donald Trump himself. The former president, despite the strained relationship between the two men, praised the king’s speech, telling reporters later that evening, “He made a great speech. I was very jealous.”
Stewart’s playful jab aside, King Charles’ U.S. visit marked an important milestone in his reign, solidifying his role as a monarch who can navigate international diplomacy with both humor and seriousness—qualities that continue to earn him admiration on the world stage.
