King Charles comes face to face with comedian who impersonates him

Ben McCaffrey
Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:08:29 +0000

King Charles demonstrated his characteristic good humour during the opening day of his American State Visit when a comedian attempted an impression of the monarch to his face.

Matt Friend, presenter of CNN's America Laughs, adopted his finest English accent as he greeted the King at a garden party hosted at the UK Ambassador's residence in Washington DC.

Mr Friend, who stood next to legendary British diver Tom Daley and Kaitlan Collins, is said to have told the King: "I'm going to do my impersonation of you, that's not bad. I'm trying to sound like you."

The 77-year-old sovereign responded with evident amusement, offering the playful retort "keep trying" before providing further encouragement to the delighted crowd.

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Mr Friend later described the exchange as "King Charles meets King Charles" after thanking His Majesty in his best royal impersonation.

The garden party at the British Embassy attracted some 650 guests, bringing together a diverse array of British and American representatives.

Lionesses World Cup winner Esme Morgan, who currently plays for Washington Spirit, was present, alongside Olympic diving champion and renowned knitter Mr Daley. He now resides in Los Angeles with his husband and their two children.

The political contingent proved equally impressive, with White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Senator Ted Cruz, and current Speaker Mike Johnson all present.

Guy Pelly, a longstanding friend of Prince William from their school days who now resides in America, also attended.

Guests enjoyed traditional British fare, with 3,000 handmade sandwiches prepared for the occasion, featuring Scottish smoked salmon and roast beef with horseradish made from British cuts, followed by scones.

The party concluded a busy first day of the four-day tour, which will celebrate the US's 250th anniversary since the Declaration of Independence, but also aims to improve the ever-declining transatlantic relations.

It marks the first trip of its kind since 2007.

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The royal couple touched down at Joint Base Andrews earlier in the day, where full ceremonial honours awaited them beneath glorious sunshine.

A military guard and band lined the red carpet as the King and Queen disembarked.

Following the national anthems of both nations, the pair travelled by motorcade to the White House for their meeting with President Trump and First Lady Melania.

The US President and First Lady Melania Trump welcomed the monarchs for their historic State Visit on the White House South Lawn.

Mr Trump gave the King a firm handshake, while the First Lady kissed the Queen on both cheeks.

It was here His Majesty appeared to shake off the President's attempts at a "power" handshake, seemingly trying to pull the King in towards him, to which he firmly resisted.

The quartet subsequently retired to the Green Room for private discussions over tea, with the talks deliberately kept from the cameras.

The King is today set to address a joint meeting of Congress, where he will speak of the "reconciliation and renewal" that characterises the long history between Britain and America.

He will become only the second British monarch to address a joint meeting, following Queen Elizabeth II’s speech in 1991.