King Charles Has an Unexpected Reaction to a Comedian Trying to Impersonate Him
King Charles proves he hasn't lost his sense of humor during his 2026 US visit, delivering a legendary rebuttal to a bold viral impersonator.
King Charles is on a state visit to America, which is being seen as a step for high-stakes diplomacy and mending UK-US relations. But that hasn't stopped the monarch from sharing a few laughs with the first lady and even his own impersonator. During a crowded garden party at the British Ambassador’s residence in Washington, D.C., the monarch found himself in a rather unusual position when a comedian delivered an impression of him right to his face. As always, the King had a witty rebuttal ready and told the comic to keep working on his skills.
Standing amidst a mix of British legends and American elites, comedian Matt Friend took a bold gamble by testing his finest English accent on Charles himself. Known for his viral impressions, the CNN presenter didn’t hold back as he greeted the 77-year-old monarch. Standing next to Olympic gold-medalist diver Tom Daley, he boldly told the sovereign, “I'm going to do my impersonation of you, that's not bad. I'm trying to sound like you.” Without missing a beat, Charles showed his witty side as he reacted to the live performance. Offering a playful critique to the delight of the surrounding guests, he simply replied, “Keep trying.”
The interaction was a highlight of a quintessential British afternoon on American soil. While guests dined on 3,000 handmade sandwiches, including Scottish smoked salmon and roast beef, Friend later joked about it on social media, describing the encounter as “King Charles meets King Charles.”
The diverse group of people who attended the event underscored the special relationship the tour aims to revitalize, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Senator Ted Cruz, and Speaker Mike Johnson. Representing the UK were sports icons Daley and Esme Morgan, while Guy Pelly, a lifelong friend of Prince William, was also one of the high-profile guests.
Serving as a relaxed bookend to the earlier formal reception at the White House, the garden party provided a space for a lighthearted interaction amidst a high-stakes diplomatic itinerary. Earlier in the day, King Charles and Queen Camilla were formally received by Donald and Melania Trump at the South Portico. The meeting sparked a media frenzy when the monarch appeared to resist the President’s power handshake. As Trump tried to pull him closer, Charles maintained his posture before the quartet retired to the Green Room for private discussions over tea.
The comic relief of the afternoon preceded the most significant leg of the tour. In a rare move for the monarchy, Charles is set to address a joint meeting of Congress, marking only the second time a British sovereign has held the honor since the late Queen Elizabeth, who delivered a historic speech to American lawmakers in 1991. His speech, however, will focus on “reconciliation and renewal” between the two nations currently tested by geopolitical friction.
Even as the King maneuvers through a visit defined by serious statecraft, he proved he hasn’t lost his sense of humor. The exchange with Matt Friend served as a reminder that, amidst the weight of his US state visit, Charles is more than happy to laugh at himself.
You can watch the video of the hilarious exchange here.
