In a moment that quickly went viral, British rock legend Rod Stewart appeared to take a swipe at President Donald Trump during a lighthearted exchange with King Charles III at a high-profile charity event in London. The incident unfolded backstage at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday, May 11, during the 50th anniversary celebration of The King's Trust, a charity founded by the king in 1976 to support vulnerable young people across the United Kingdom. Stewart, 81, was among a group of celebrities greeting the monarch when he praised Charles for his recent state visit to the United States, reportedly calling Trump a "little rat bag" in the process.
The clip, shared by Rebecca English, the Daily Mail's royal editor, captured Stewart telling the king, "May I say well done in the Americas. You were superb. Absolutely superb. You put that little rat bag in his place!" Charles, 77, seemed to chuckle at the remark before gesturing toward Stewart and moving on to chat with Ronnie Wood, Stewart's 78-year-old bandmate from the Faces. The exchange highlighted the often-blunt camaraderie between entertainers and royalty at such gatherings, but it also reignited Stewart's long-standing public criticisms of the U.S. president.
The event itself was a star-studded affair, presented by British TV hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly. Attendees included George and Amal Clooney, Rita Ora, and Lily Collins, among other notable figures honoring alumni, ambassadors, patrons, and volunteers of The King's Trust. The gala underscored the charity's enduring mission, which has helped countless young people through education, employment, and skills programs since its inception nearly five decades ago.
Stewart's comment comes in the wake of King Charles and Queen Camilla's official visit to the United States from April 27 to April 30. During the trip, the royal couple attended a state dinner at the White House and participated in various diplomatic engagements. On April 28, Charles made history as only the second member of the British royal family to address a joint session of the U.S. Congress, where he spoke on pressing global issues including climate change and the recent shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
In his congressional address, the king emphasized the urgency of international cooperation on environmental challenges, according to reports from the event. He also touched on the violence at the correspondents' dinner, which left several injured but no fatalities, though specifics on the incident remain under investigation by U.S. authorities. Notably, Charles steered clear of any direct references to the scandals surrounding his brother, Prince Andrew, despite the prince's recent legal troubles.
Prince Andrew, whose full title is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested on February 19 on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Authorities allege he passed confidential information to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein during his tenure as a U.K. trade envoy. Epstein, a convicted sex offender, died by suicide in August 2019 at age 66 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. Andrew has not yet entered a plea in the ongoing case, and Buckingham Palace has maintained a policy of non-comment on the matter.
Stewart's quip about Trump fits into a broader pattern of the singer's evolving views on the president. Once describing Trump as a personal friend and neighbor in Florida—where Stewart lives just half a mile from the president's Mar-a-Lago estate—the rocker has since distanced himself. In a June 2025 interview with the Radio Times, Stewart reflected on their past interactions, saying, "I’m not a great fan of Trump. I knew him very, very well. I used to go to his house." He added, "I live literally half a mile away… We’re both on the beach. I used to go to his Christmas parties. 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."
Stewart went further in that interview, explaining his disillusionment with Trump's presidency: "But since he became President, he became another guy. Somebody I didn’t know." The singer cited Trump's foreign policy decisions, particularly the continued sale of arms to Israel amid ongoing conflicts, as a breaking point. "I can’t [consider him a friend] any more. As long as he’s selling arms to the Israelis—and he still is. How’s that war ever gonna stop? And we [the British] should stop selling them as well," Stewart stated. Prior to the 2016 election, however, he had spoken positively of Trump, highlighting their shared social circles and neighborly proximity.
Representatives for the White House, Buckingham Palace, and Stewart's team have not immediately responded to requests for comment on the viral clip, according to Us Weekly. The lack of official statements leaves room for interpretation, with some observers viewing Stewart's remark as playful banter rather than a serious political jab. Others, however, see it as emblematic of growing international scrutiny on Trump's leadership style, especially from cultural figures like Stewart who once counted themselves among his acquaintances.
The King's Trust event provided a neutral backdrop for such an unscripted moment, focusing instead on philanthropy and youth empowerment. Founded when Charles was still Prince of Wales, the organization has expanded globally, partnering with businesses and governments to provide opportunities for at-risk youth. The 50th anniversary gala featured performances and tributes that celebrated these achievements, drawing attention to the charity's impact rather than any celebrity side comments.
Looking back at Charles's U.S. visit, the trip was seen by many as a successful effort to strengthen transatlantic ties. The state dinner at the White House included toasts to shared values and future collaborations, though details on private conversations between Charles and Trump remain undisclosed. The king's address to Congress was praised for its forward-looking tone, avoiding partisan pitfalls and emphasizing mutual interests like sustainability.
Yet, the shadow of Epstein's scandals loomed large, particularly with Prince Andrew's arrest adding to the royal family's challenges. Epstein's connections to high-profile individuals, including Trump and Andrew, have fueled years of media coverage and legal proceedings. While Charles's speech omitted any mention of these ties, the timing of Stewart's remark—praising the king for "putting [Trump] in his place"—invites speculation about unspoken tensions during the visit.
Stewart, known for hits like "Maggie May" and a career spanning over five decades, has never shied away from expressing opinions on politics and social issues. His criticism of Trump aligns with broader sentiments among some British celebrities who have voiced concerns over U.S. policies affecting global stability. At the same time, Stewart's history with the president adds a personal layer, making his words resonate beyond mere celebrity gossip.
As the clip continues to circulate online, it serves as a reminder of the intersection between entertainment, royalty, and politics. With no formal rebuttals from involved parties, the incident may fade into the annals of awkward celebrity encounters. However, it underscores ongoing debates about Trump's international image, especially as his second administration navigates complex alliances with allies like the United Kingdom.
Looking ahead, The King's Trust plans to build on the gala's momentum with new initiatives for youth support. For Stewart, upcoming tours and projects will likely keep him in the spotlight, though whether he'll address his Trump comment remains to be seen. Meanwhile, the royal family continues its diplomatic duties, with Charles's U.S. trip marking a key chapter in post-Brexit relations between London and Washington.