Prince Harry has joked that life with the Royal Family was “like Downton Abbey” – but with more “drama” than the hit show.
Speaking at the British American Business Council’s (BABC) LA lunch on Friday, the Duke of Sussex reportedly made a series of quips about the “drama and intrigue” of his upbringing, as well as wearing kilts and the differences between the UK and the US.
He touched on the “new world” of American life and 4 July festivities, joking that celebrating US independence was “more specifically, independence from my great, great, great, great, great, great-grandfather,” reports People magazine.
“People sometimes ask if growing up with the Royal family was a bit like Julian’s Downton Abbey,” he said.
“Yeah, but only one of those worlds is filled with drama, intrigue, elaborate dinners, marriages to Americans – and the other is a TV show.”
The jokes came as the event paid tribute to Downton Abbey creator Lord Julian Fellowes, who is also known for dramas Gosford Park and From Time to Time.
Prince Harry also reportedly jested about US president Donald Trump’s immigration policies and the upcoming World Cup during his speech, saying that his fellow Brits will have to get “behave, get through customs and past ICE” to see England play in the tournament.
It comes after the Duke of Sussex made an unexpected appearance on Stephen Colbert’s US talk show on Wednesday, appearing as a version of himself auditioning to play a “Christmas prince” in a Hallmark movie.
During the segment he jibed at the US’s “obsession” with royalty, and quipped that the country had “elected a king”, in reference to the president, which prompted a chorus of pantomime boos from the audience.
The joke appeared to be a reference to the non-violent “No Kings” movement, protesting Trump’s “authoritarian” policies.
