SNL host Colin Jost's savage joke about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle says a lot
It's been claimed that the couple are disliked in America
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle once found themselves at the punchline of a joke on SNL, thanks to Colin Jost.
During an episode of Saturday Night Live in May, Colin Jost, co-anchor of the show’s iconic “Weekend Update” segment, took a jab at the royal couple while discussing former President Donald Trump’s proposed trade deal with the UK.
Colin Jost made joke about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
“President Trump also announced a new trade deal with the UK that will reopen British markets for American companies,” Colin began.
“All that Britain demands in return is that we keep these two,” he said, as a photo of Harry and Meghan flashed on the screen, prompting loud audience laughter.
All that Britain demands in return is that we keep these two.
The joke landed amid growing speculation that American public opinion may be shifting against the couple. At the time, a YouGov poll suggested the pair’s popularity has taken a hit over the years.
Prince Harry and Meghan have made California their home since stepping back from royal duties in 2020.
Harry and Meghan’s popularity in the US
Fuelling the backlash further, American columnist Maureen Callahan appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored.
She launched a fierce tirade against the duke and duchess.
“I hear this all the time from the Brits: ‘What do Americans really think of Harry and Meghan?’ We despise them,” Maureen claimed. “We’ve had a conclave of sorts. We’ve come to a universal response. We despise them.”
Maureen also addressed Harry’s May BBC interview, in which he expressed a desire to reconcile with his family and spoke emotionally about his father King Charles’ health.
“I listened very closely to that BBC interview, which was full of rage, grievance, and a false claim that he wants resolution,” she said. “He lives for unresolved conflict. Otherwise, he’s got nothing going.”
What Americans think of Harry and Meghan
However, reactions to Maureen’s comments have been polarising online. While some Americans echoed the columnist’s sentiment, others pushed back against the idea that Harry and Meghan are widely “despised”.
“Well said, Maureen,” one viewer agreed.
“Yes! Dislike them immensely!! I do think their titles should be stripped!” Another echoed Maureen’s words.
But other hit back at the bold claim.
“We don’t despise them,” one wrote.
“Oh, please. American here… totally neutral about them,” another agreed.
A third viewer chimed in: “I don’t despise Meghan and Harry. I just don’t really care about them.”
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Harry and Meghan’s life in Montecito
Despite the criticism, Harry, 41, and Meghan, 44, seem to be loving their life in Montecito.
However, in a recent interview, Meghan admitted they had “no plan” when they moved to California.
Meghan said at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women summit earlier in October: “I think five years ago was a very different situation for all of us. Archie was so little and I had just got pregnant with Lili around that same time.
“So we were nesting. Nesting and healing. Also, I don’t know if I had the bandwidth at that time to think about what the ‘big picture’ dream was. There was no plan.
“It was just, ‘Let’s just get through these next couple of years,’ create community, which was always so important to both of us in our new environment.”
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