Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were the butt of a joke in a “creepy” Saturday Night Live UK sketch about the Royal Family on 28 March. The new comedy spin-off series took brutal swipes at several royals, including the divided public opinion of the Duchess of Sussex, in the show’s first sketch of the night on 28 March.
Cast member Hammed Animashaun quipped that Prince Harry was “going to marry a woman 98 per cent of the UK public will find it impossible to have a normal conversation about” in a dig at the royal’s marriage to former actress Meghan.
The Duchess of Sussex has been one of the most talked-about royals since her wedding to Prince Harry in May 2018 and their stepping down from senior royal duties in 2020. Meghan has since spoken publicly about her time as a working royal and has remained a fixture in the public eye with a plethora of projects, including a lifestyle brand called As Ever and her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, which recently came out with a second season.
© Sky/ YouTubeSNL UK mentioned the Duke and Duchess of Susses in a sketch about the Royal Family
The swipe was part of an opening sketch featuring MI5 agents meeting with the disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, played by Jack Shep, as they conducted a “29-year plan” to increase his brother King Charles’ popularity following the passing of Princess Diana. The officers, portrayed by cast members Celeste Dring, Ayoade Bamgboye and Hammed, revealed their plan to make other royals less likeable – including Prince Harry.
SNL takes swipes at the royals
While the sketch largely took aim at Andrew’s links to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Prince William and Sarah Ferguson’s names came up in conversation. The comedians joked about William’s appearance and Fergie’s walk, as well as her unconventional living situation with Andrew.
“The one thing that might help is if you stay by Andrew’s side, live with him without explanation for the next 29 years,” Hammed told cast member Emma Sidi, who portrayed a spoof of Fergie.
© Getty ImagesSarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew both were named in the scathing sketch
The show previously mentioned Andrew in its opening episode a week earlier. The disgraced royal was brought up during the “Weekend Update” segment in a joke that is too rude to repeat.
“Renovations to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s new home, Marsh Farm, have been taking place over the last month, including the installation of Sky TV. So, if you’re watching this Andrew, hello! You’re not gonna like this next bit,” comedian Ania said while first name-dropping the royal.
WATCH: Harry Styles garners reaction with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor joke on SNL
Viewers’ mixed reaction to ‘creepy’ skit
Many viewers applauded the SNL writers for the “brilliant” sketch that was “pure gold”.
“I wasn’t sure about this sketch at first, but I’ve now decided it’s very, very clever!” one person commented on YouTube. “You know when people say it’s ‘edgy’. Well, this found the edge and zoomed right off! Brilliant,” another said.
Meanwhile, others nitpicked the sketch for referring to Andrew as “Your Majesty”, where he would have been His Royal Highness before his titles were stripped by King Charles at the end of last year.
“Well done guys, a huge step backwards for comedy,” one viewer who was not a fan wrote. Another said the sketch was “creepy as hell”.