King Charles Mocked by Jimmy Kimmel Amid Trump Threat
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King Charles III was roasted by Jimmy Kimmel for a speech billed as a moment of support for Canada in the face of annexation threats from President Donald Trump.
The British monarch, 76, is the king not only of Britain, but also Canada and opened the Canadian Parliament on May 27 for the first time during his reign. Queen Elizabeth II last undertook the ceremony in 1977, some 48 years ago.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made clear the timing was no coincidence after Trump's recent talk of making the country America's 51st state.
However, Kimmel roasted Charles with suggestions his speech may not have been quite so impactful after all.
King Charles III sits on the throne in the Senate Chamber for the State Opening of Parliament, in Ottawa, Ontario, during an official visit to Canada on May 27, 2025.
King Charles III sits on the throne in the Senate Chamber for the State Opening of Parliament, in Ottawa, Ontario, during an official visit to Canada on May 27, 2025.
Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty Images
What Kimmel Said About Charles' Canada Visit
Kimmel mocked the king's Canada visit saying: "Trump isn't the only elder statesman with a friend in need, King Charles was in Canada today to show his support for the commonwealth during this difficult time. The king gave an uncharacteristically fiery speech this morning in front of the Canadian Parliament."
Charles was then shown struggling for around 17 seconds to turn the pages on the booklet seemingly containing the words to his speech.
"Won't someone please come lick the royal thumb?" Kimmel continued. "Next I want him try to open a Capri Sun. So then once he was able to pry the manilla envelope pages apart the king spoke not only with power, but also with grace."
Jimmy Kimmel Live! then played footage of Charles' speech in which he said: "Every time I come to Canada, a little more of Canada seeps into my bloodstream and from there straight to my heart."
"Gross," Kimmel said.
Trump as Backdrop to Charles' Visit
Carney recently told Sky News that Canada's invitation to Charles to open Parliament was not a coincidence in light of Trump's annexation threats: "All issues around Canada's sovereignty have been accentuated by the president. So, no, it's not coincidental, but it is also a reaffirming moment for Canadians."
Meanwhile, many news outlets reported on Charles' speech as sending a message about the importance of Canadian sovereignty.
ABC News, for example, ran the online headline: "King Charles III defends Canada's sovereignty in speech to open parliament."
And NBC News went with: "Canada is at 'critical moment,' King Charles tells Parliament amid Trump annexation threats."
The king told Canada's Parliament: "Many Canadians are feeling anxious and worried about the drastically changing world around them. Fundamental change is always unsettling.
"Yet, this moment is also an incredible opportunity, an opportunity for renewal, an opportunity to think big and to act bigger; an opportunity for Canada to embark on the largest transformation of its economy since the Second World War."
"A confident Canada, which has welcomed new Canadians, including from some of the most tragic, global conflict zones, can seize this opportunity by recognizing that all Canadians give themselves far more than any foreign power on any continent can ever take away," Charles added.
Jack Royston is chief royal correspondent for Newsweek, based in London. You can find him on X, formerly Twitter, at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about Charles and Queen Camilla, Prince William and Princess Kate, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.
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