Rod Stewart praised King Charles III at a London event Monday night, appearing to take a swipe at President Trump by telling the monarch he had put a “little ratbag in his place” during last month’s state visit to the United States.
Mr. Stewart made the remarks during a reception marking the 50th anniversary of the King’s Trust at the Royal Albert Hall, congratulating Charles on his trip to the “Americas.” Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood stood alongside Mr. Stewart as he told the king, “May I say, well done in the Americas. You were superb, absolutely superb … put that little ratbag in his place.” Stewart subsequently turned to Queen Camilla and said, “I was just congratulating your husband on his wonderful performance in the Americas, so great, so brave, so proud.”
Although Charles’ response could not be heard on the video, Mr. Stewart continued: “Exactly, that’s it — it went right over his head, right over his head.” The Independent reported that the king appeared to laugh off the comment.
During his four-day state visit to the U.S. in late April, Charles addressed Congress, where he praised NATO, emphasized the deep relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States and reminded lawmakers that the country’s influence carries global weight and meaning. At a White House state dinner, the king offered a lighthearted historical aside, joking that without British intervention, Americans might today be speaking French.
Mr. Stewart, 81, is no stranger to criticism of Mr. Trump. Earlier this year, after Mr. Trump claimed British and NATO forces had avoided front lines in Afghanistan, Mr. Stewart posted a video on social media saying, “I may just be a humble rock star. I’m also a knight of the realm, and I have my opinions. I was born just after the [World] War [II] and have great respect for our armed forces that fought and gave us our freedom.”
The “Maggie May” singer was knighted in 2016 by Prince William at Buckingham Palace for services to music and charity. Despite his pointed remarks about the president, Mr. Stewart and Mr. Trump were once neighbors and friends. Mr. Stewart said he and Mr. Trump both live on a beachfront stretch in Florida, about half a mile apart, and that he once attended the president’s Christmas parties — but that he no longer considers Mr. Trump a friend, citing his support for arms sales to Israel.
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