Rock legend Rod Stewart offered King Charles III a blunt compliment on Monday, telling the monarch he had effectively dealt with a political adversary during his recent trip to the United States. The exchange happened at a London event where Stewart, alongside Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, shook hands with the 77-year-old king.
“May I say, well done in the Americas,” Stewart said, according to reporters present. “You were superb, absolutely superb. You put that little ratbag in his place.” Charles appeared to laugh off the remark, though it was not clear if he responded directly.
While Stewart did not name the target of his comment, the 81-year-old singer has previously stated he is “not a great fan” of President Trump. In an interview last year, Stewart said he knew Trump well before his presidency, visiting his home, but described him as “another guy” after he took office. This context strongly suggests the “ratbag” reference was aimed at Trump.
King Charles’s US tour last month was a significant diplomatic event. He delivered a historic address to a joint meeting of Congress, where he warned that the US-UK alliance “cannot rest on past achievements” in an unpredictable global environment. He also met with Trump at the White House, along with Democratic and Republican leaders, and visited New York.
Trump, for his part, called Charles a “fantastic person” after their meeting, praising the king and Queen Camilla as “incredible people.” The president’s warm words contrasted sharply with Stewart’s pointed compliment.
The singer’s comment adds a colorful footnote to a trip that underscored the enduring but evolving special relationship between the two nations. Stewart’s blunt language reflects a broader political divide that has seen many celebrities and public figures take sides in the Trump era.
For those following the intersection of pop culture and politics, Stewart’s remark also echoes a trend of entertainers using public platforms to voice opinions on leaders. Meanwhile, the king’s diplomatic mission highlighted the importance of international cooperation, as he told Congress that “the challenges we face are too great for any one nation to bear alone.”
As for the “little ratbag” comment, it remains to be seen whether it will stir any formal response from the White House. But for now, it provides a rare moment of levity in the often-staid world of royal diplomacy.
