Rod Stewart’s Wild ‘Rat Bag’ Dig At Donald Trump Leaves King Charles Speechless

Rod Stewart managed to turn a royal celebration into an unexpectedly headline-making moment after making a bold comment about Donald Trump directly in front of King Charles.
The music legend praised the monarch’s recent U.S. state visit during an event at London’s Royal Albert Hall before suddenly referring to someone many believed was Trump as a “little rat bag.”
The remark reportedly left those nearby stunned, especially given the King’s longstanding commitment to being politically neutral while carrying out royal duties on the world stage.

Rod Stewart Praised King Charles Before His Shock Trump Remark

King Charles attended The King’s Trust’s 50th Anniversary Celebration at Royal Albert Hall in London on Monday, where he greeted several celebrity guests throughout the evening.
Among those waiting to meet the monarch was Rod Stewart, who immediately congratulated Charles on his recent four-day state visit to the United States.According to a video shared on X by Daily Mail royal correspondent Rebecca English, Stewart appeared eager to compliment the King’s performance overseas before taking the conversation in a surprising direction.
“May I say, well done in the Americas,” the 81-year-old told Charles, adding, “You were superb. Absolutely superb. You put that little rat bag in his place.”
The King did not visibly react to the comment, as several people nearby laughed at it. Many observers interpreted Stewart’s “little rat bag” insult as a reference to President Donald Trump.
The exchange quickly exploded online because members of the royal family traditionally avoid public political commentary. Charles, however, maintained composure and simply continued greeting guests during the event.

Stewart Previously Opened Up About His Fallout With Trump

Rod Stewart at the opening of the 23rd edition of the Cap Roig Festival
Europa Press / MEGA

Rod Stewart’s latest swipe at Donald Trump did not come entirely out of nowhere. The “Forever Young” singer previously admitted his friendship with the president had deteriorated over time.
The two men once shared a friendly relationship while living near one another in Florida. However, Stewart explained in an interview with Radio Times last year that his opinion changed dramatically during Trump’s presidency.
“How’s that [Gaza] war ever gonna stop?” Stewart asked while discussing U.S. arms sales to Israel. The rocker also reflected on why he initially liked Trump years earlier.
“He’s always been a bit of a man’s man. I liked him for that,” Stewart explained, adding, “But he didn’t, as far as I’m concerned, treat women very well.”
The singer then admitted he no longer recognized the man he once considered a friend, stating, “But since he became President, he became another guy. Somebody I didn’t know.”

Rod Stewart Was Not Alone In Praising King Charles’ U.S. Visit

Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster are seen out together in Beverly Hills

Despite the awkward political moment, King Charles’ recent trip to the United States has largely been viewed as a success.
The 77-year-old received widespread praise for his historic address before a joint session of Congress during the state visit.
Charles even used humor throughout portions of the speech while acknowledging the complicated history between Britain and America.
“King George never set foot in America and, please rest assured, I am not here as part of some cunning rearguard action!” the King joked per PEOPLE.
He also reflected on America’s founding years by saying, “The Founding Fathers were bold and imaginative rebels with a cause. Two hundred and fifty years ago — or, as we say in the United Kingdom, ‘just the other day’ — they declared independence.”
The speech drew positive reactions from both British and American political figures, with many praising Charles’ tone and confidence throughout the visit.

Stewart Watched King Charles Address Global Tensions Head-On

Donald Trump and King Charles in the White House
Rod Stewart also watched as King Charles used the U.S. visit to address growing tensions worldwide.

The monarch acknowledged that his trip came during an especially unstable international period, including conflict involving Iran and the aftermath of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shootin
Charles described the current climate as “more volatile and more dangerous” than it was when Queen Elizabeth visited the United States in 1991.
“The challenges we face are too great for any one nation to bear alone. But in this unpredictable environment, our alliance cannot rest on past achievements, or assume that foundational principles simply endure,” the King said during his address.|
Charles also quoted the British prime minister, emphasizing the importance of maintaining strong ties between the two nations.
He said, “As my prime minister said last month: ‘Ours is an indispensable partnership. We must not disregard everything that has sustained us for the last 80 years. Instead, we must build on it.’”

Rod Stewart Saw Even Donald Trump Praise The King’s Speech

The Trumps Welcome King Charles III And Queen Camilla Of The United Kingdom
Ironically, even Trump himself publicly complimented Charles following the address that Stewart later referenced during their Royal Albert Hall interaction.

Speaking to reporters afterward, the 79-year-old admitted he was impressed by Charles’s performance. “He made a great speech. I was very jealous,” Trump said.

The positive reaction from both sides of the political aisle became one of the biggest takeaways from the royal visit.

Washington, D.C.-based royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith later explained just how effective the trip had been for Charles’ public image.

“Politicians of every stripe saw King Charles in a new and more favorable light,” she said.

The Rod Stewart’s Wild ‘Rat Bag’ Dig At Donald Trump Leaves King Charles Speechless first appeared on The Blast

Rod Stewart Praises King Charles’ U.S. Visit in Awkward Red Carpet Moment: ‘You Put That Little Rat Bag in His Place’

At The King’s Trust’s 50th anniversary event in London, the rocker praised the monarch’s recent U.S. visit — and added an off-the-cuff remark

NEED TO KNOW

  • King Charles attended The King’s Trust 50th anniversary event in London, where he was praised by Rod Stewart for his recent U.S. visit

  • Stewart’s off-the-cuff “little rat bag” comment — interpreted by some as referencing Donald Trump — introduced an awkward moment for the monarch during the exchange

  • Charles continues to receive praise for his four-day state visit, including his historic address to Congress

King Charles is still receiving praise for his recent state visit to the U.S.

On Monday, May 11, Charles attended The King’s Trust’s 50th Anniversary Celebration at Royal Albert Hall in London, where he greeted a lineup of celebrity guests including Rita Ora, Anne-Marie and Craig David.

When he reached Rod Stewart, the rocker offered his congratulations on the trip — and added a comment that introduced a potentially awkward note for the monarch, who traditionally remains politically neutral.

“May I say, well done in the Americas,” Stewart, 81, said, according to video shared on social media by the Daily Mail’s Rebecca English. “You were superb. Absolutely superb. You put that little rat bag in his place.”

The King did not visibly respond to the remark, which some observers interpreted as a reference to president Donald Trump, as those nearby appeared to laugh.

PEOPLE has reached out to a representative for Stewart for comment.

Stewart and Trump were once friendly and lived near each other in Florida.

However, the “Forever Young” singer toldRadio Times last year, he no longer considered Trump a friend, citing his administration’s arms sales to Israel: “How’s that [Gaza] war ever gonna stop?”

Rod Stewart, Kenny G and Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in 1998
Credit: Davidoff Studios/Getty

The rocker continued, “He’s always been a bit of a man’s man. I liked him for that. But he didn’t, as far as I’m concerned, treat women very well. But since he became President, he became another guy. Somebody I didn’t know.”

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Stewart wasn’t alone in touting King Charles’ four-day U.S. visit as a success. Specifically, the monarch’s historic address to a session of Congress, which followed in the footsteps of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth, was highly praised.

He incorporated humor, telling the assembly of politicians, “King George never set foot in America and, please rest assured, I am not here as part of some cunning rearguard action!”

“The Founding Fathers were bold and imaginative rebels with a cause,” the King continued. “Two hundred and fifty years ago — or, as we say in the United Kingdom, ‘just the other day’ — they declared independence.”

King Charles also addressed the solemn timing of his visit — amid the war in Iran and just days after the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting — calling the present “more volatile and more dangerous” than when his mother came stateside in 1991.

“The challenges we face are too great for any one nation to bear alone,” the monarch said. “But in this unpredictable environment, our alliance cannot rest on past achievements, or assume that foundational principles simply endure. As my prime minister said last month: ‘Ours is an indispensable partnership. We must not disregard everything that has sustained us for the last 80 years. Instead, we must build on it.’ “

Trump also praised the King’s remarks, telling reporters later that night, “He made a great speech. I was very jealous.”

Rod Stewart praises King Charles lll for putting ‘ratbag’ Trump ‘in his place’

Rod Stewart managed to turn a royal celebration into an unexpectedly headline-making moment after making a bold comment about Donald Trump directly in front of King Charles.

The music legend praised the monarch’s recent U.S. state visit during an event at London’s Royal Albert Hall before suddenly referring to someone many believed was Trump as a “little rat bag.”

The remark reportedly left those nearby stunned, especially given the King’s longstanding commitment to being politically neutral while carrying out royal duties on the world stage.

Rod Stewart Praised King Charles Before His Shock Trump Remark

King Charles attended The King’s Trust’s 50th Anniversary Celebration at Royal Albert Hall in London on Monday, where he greeted several celebrity guests throughout the evening.

Among those waiting to meet the monarch was Rod Stewart, who immediately congratulated Charles on his recent four-day state visit to the United States.
According to a video shared on X by Daily Mail royal correspondent Rebecca English, Stewart appeared eager to compliment the King’s performance overseas before taking the conversation in a surprising direction.

“May I say, well done in the Americas,” the 81-year-old told Charles, adding, “You were superb. Absolutely superb. You put that little rat bag in his place.”

The King did not visibly react to the comment, as several people nearby laughed at it. Many observers interpreted Stewart’s “little rat bag” insult as a reference to President Donald Trump.

Stewart Previously Opened Up About His Fallout With Trump

Rod Stewart at the opening of the 23rd edition of the Cap Roig Festival
Europa Press / MEGA

Rod Stewart’s latest swipe at Donald Trump did not come entirely out of nowhere. The “Forever Young” singer previously admitted his friendship with the president had deteriorated over time.

The two men once shared a friendly relationship while living near one another in Florida. However, Stewart explained in an interview with Radio Times last year that his opinion changed dramatically during Trump’s presidency.

“How’s that [Gaza] war ever gonna stop?” Stewart asked while discussing U.S. arms sales to Israel. The rocker also reflected on why he initially liked Trump years earlier.

The singer then admitted he no longer recognized the man he once considered a friend, stating, “But since he became President, he became another guy. Somebody I didn’t know.”

Rod Stewart Was Not Alone In Praising King Charles’ U.S. Visit

Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster are seen out together in Beverly Hills
MEGA

Despite the awkward political moment, King Charles’ recent trip to the United States has largely been viewed as a success.

The 77-year-old received widespread praise for his historic address before a joint session of Congress during the state visit.

Charles even used humor throughout portions of the speech while acknowledging the complicated history between Britain and America.

“King George never set foot in America and, please rest assured, I am not here as part of some cunning rearguard action!” the King joked per PEOPLE.

He also reflected on America’s founding years by saying, “The Founding Fathers were bold and imaginative rebels with a cause. Two hundred and fifty years ago — or, as we say in the United Kingdom, ‘just the other day’ — they declared independence.”

The speech drew positive reactions from both British and American political figures, with many praising Charles’ tone and confidence throughout the visit.

Stewart Watched King Charles Address Global Tensions Head-On

Donald Trump and King Charles in the White House
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Rod Stewart also watched as King Charles used the U.S. visit to address growing tensions worldwide.

The monarch acknowledged that his trip came during an especially unstable international period, including conflict involving Iran and the aftermath of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting.

Charles described the current climate as “more volatile and more dangerous” than it was when Queen Elizabeth visited the United States in 1991.

“The challenges we face are too great for any one nation to bear alone. But in this unpredictable environment, our alliance cannot rest on past achievements, or assume that foundational principles simply endure,” the King said during his address.

Charles also quoted the British prime minister, emphasizing the importance of maintaining strong ties between the two nations.

He said, “As my prime minister said last month: ‘Ours is an indispensable partnership. We must not disregard everything that has sustained us for the last 80 years. Instead, we must build on it.’”

Rod Stewart Saw Even Donald Trump Praise The King’s Speech

The Trumps Welcome King Charles III And Queen Camilla Of The United Kingdom
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Ironically, even Trump himself publicly complimented Charles following the address that Stewart later referenced during their Royal Albert Hall interaction.

Speaking to reporters afterward, the 79-year-old admitted he was impressed by Charles’s performance. “He made a great speech. I was very jealous,” Trump said.

The positive reaction from both sides of the political aisle became one of the biggest takeaways from the royal visit.

Washington, D.C.-based royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith later explained just how effective the trip had been for Charles’ public image.

“Politicians of every stripe saw King Charles in a new and more favorable light,” she said.

The Rod Stewart’s Wild ‘Rat Bag’ Dig At Donald Trump Leaves King Charles Speechless first appeared on The Blast

King Charles and Queen Camilla Hit the Red Carpet to Celebrate 50 Years of the Charity He Founded

The evening at Royal Albert Hall in London is just one of the events celebrating the major milestone

NEED TO KNOW

  • King Charles and Queen Camilla hit the red carpet at Royal Albert Hall in London for a celebration marking the 50th anniversary of The King’s Trust

  • The monarch founded the organization to help youth develop skills and find job opportunities

  • The event was just one of many celebrating the milestone

King Charles and Queen Camilla are marking a major milestone.

On Monday, May 11, the royal couple attended an event at the historic Royal Albert Hall in London to mark the 50th anniversary of The King’s Trust. They walked the red carpet before heading inside, meeting Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, better known as Ant and Dec, who would be hosting the evening’s event.

Inside, the monarch gave a wave to the standing crowd before taking his seat. During the evening, the royals met this year’s King’s Trust award winners, accompanied by their award presenters.

The event brought together King’s Trust (formerly known as The Prince’s Trust) ambassadors, alumni, staff and volunteers to celebrate the work of the charity, which the monarch founded in 1976. Since then, a million young people across the U.K. have been supported by the organization in reaching their potential by developing life skills, preparing for employment or accessing job opportunities. Three in four of those it has supported over the last five years have moved into work, education or training.

The event at Royal Albert Hall is just one of the celebrations for The King’s Trust’s major anniversary. Later this week, King Charles will also host a garden party at Buckingham Palace on May 14 to celebrate the organization’s milestone.

King Charles and Queen Camilla attend A King's Trust celebration at the Royal Albert Hall in London on May 11, 2026Credit: Adrian Dennis / POOL / AFP via Getty
King Charles and Queen Camilla attend A King’s Trust celebration at the Royal Albert Hall in London on May 11, 2026
Credit: Adrian Dennis / POOL / AFP via Getty

 

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The King’s Trust was also spotlighted during the King and Queen’s recent state visit to the U.S. On April 29, the royals attended an arts reception at Christie’s in New York City. The event was hosted by Greater Together and The King’s Trust to showcase the U.K.’s cultural impact on New York through the arts, sports and community initiatives.

King Charles and Queen Camilla attend A King's Trust celebration at the Royal Albert Hall in London on May 11, 2026Credit: Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty
King Charles and Queen Camilla attend A King’s Trust celebration at the Royal Albert Hall in London on May 11, 2026
Credit: Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty

The King spoke at the event, sharing what leading the organization has meant to him, as well as his hopes for it to continue on after him.

“It’s a wonderfully proud but extraordinary moment to think that it’s 50 years since I started this trust,” he began. “Quite difficult to get it off the ground in the first place, but we did.”

Read the original article on People

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