Singer Rod Stewart praised King Charles III for his handling of President Donald Trump during a royal visit to the U.S.
The exchange highlights the intersection of celebrity influence and royal diplomacy, as Stewart said he supported the monarch's approach to a contentious political figure.
Stewart told the King, "you put that ratbag in his place" [1]. The remarks followed a four-day state visit [2] that took place in late April 2024 [3]. Stewart's comments were intended to praise the monarch for confronting the president and maintaining a specific foreign-policy stance regarding NATO and Ukraine [4].
Reports differ on where the specific exchange occurred. Some sources said the comments were made during the state visit in Washington, D.C. [5]. Other reports said the interaction took place on May 11, 2024 [6], at the Royal Albert Hall in London during The King's Trust 50th-anniversary gala [6].
During the London event, Stewart greeted King Charles and Queen Camilla on the red carpet [7]. While some accounts describe the phrasing as "that ratbag" [1], other reports suggest Stewart used the term "that little ratbag" [8].
The interaction reflects Stewart's alignment with the monarch's diplomatic priorities. By using British slang to describe the former president, Stewart signaled a personal and political endorsement of the King's perceived firmness during the U.S. trip.
“"you put that ratbag in his place"”
This incident underscores the rare instance of a public figure using blunt, informal language to comment on the British monarchy's diplomatic interactions with US leadership. It suggests a perceived tension between the royal house's diplomatic protocols and the political style of Donald Trump, framed through the lens of celebrity approval.
