King is mocked on Saturday Night Live UK as sketch takes aim at Earl Spencer's claim that Charles told him Diana would be 'forgotten' days after her death

A recent episode of Saturday Night Live UK took a satirical jab at King Charles, drawing inspiration from the controversial claims made by Earl Spencer regarding the late Princess Diana. The sketch portrayed the monarch as meeting Diana for the first time, humorously highlighting Charles's supposed failure to recognize his former wife despite their long marriage and shared children.

This comedic portrayal follows the publication of Earl Spencer’s memoir, which included an explosive allegation: that Charles expressed a belief shortly after Diana's death in 1997 that she would be quickly forgotten. The claim, which has sparked considerable debate and polarized opinion, was initially brought to public attention through exclusive excerpts released by the Daily Mail.

In the opening SNL UK sketch, Diana was depicted as an AI robot, linking the narrative to contemporary concerns about artificial intelligence—an issue Charles himself recently addressed in a speech warning of AI’s potential dangers. The character representing the King, played by Larry Dean, repeatedly fails to identify Diana, only recalling her as “that woman from the 1990s” after several prompts by tech experts.

The sketch further underscored the disconnect by having Charles show more interest in trivial details, such as pop star facts, than in Diana’s life or their past relationship. This ironic treatment culminated with Diana’s AI avatar defiantly criticizing humanity, reflecting ongoing tensions surrounding the royal family’s public perception.

Earl Spencer’s memoir, entitled "Swan Song: Diana, My Sister," has intensified scrutiny on the royal family by detailing a purported altercation between him and Charles concerning the funeral arrangements for Diana. According to Spencer, the then-Prince Charles was discomforted by the idea of their sons, William and Harry, participating in the funeral procession, leading to a heated exchange that ended with Charles allegedly asserting his belief that Diana’s memory would soon fade.

The Palace has responded to these allegations by questioning the accuracy of Earl Spencer’s recollections, suggesting that grief may have influenced his judgment and memory. Despite this, the earl has maintained the truthfulness of his account and hinted at having additional information about the King, though he has chosen not to disclose it.

The controversy has also brought private family dynamics into the public eye, with Earl Spencer indicating that Princes William and Harry were likely not fully aware of the memoir’s content ahead of its release. Moreover, the earl expressed hope for reconciliation between the brothers, emphasizing that such unity would align with their mother’s wishes.

Spencer also revisited the circumstances surrounding Diana’s tragic death, blaming the actions of the BBC and former Panorama journalist Martin Bashir for eroding her trust and leaving her isolated in her final moments. He described her demise as preventable and advocated for enhanced protection measures for Prince Harry since his return to the United Kingdom.

As the royal family continues to navigate these revelations and public scrutiny, the SNL UK sketch encapsulates the broader discourse around Charles’s legacy and the enduring impact of Princess Diana. Through satire and pointed commentary, it reflects the complexities of royal narratives and the challenges of reconciling private grief with public perception.