Remember when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle elegantly bowed out of their royal duties in January 2020, only to find themselves exploring a delightful buffet of freelance gigs? Podcasting this, race car driving that—because, why not? On Monday night, Harry added yet another temporary title to his ever-expanding resume: Stand-up Comedian. Yes, you read that right—comedy club stints might just be the new royal pastime.
Our dear Duke of Sussex popped up in a video appearance at the 17th annual Stand Up For Heroes Benefit, where proceeds help veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. Hosted at New York City’s Lincoln Center (because where else would a prince perform?), the event was a delightful collaboration between the New York Comedy Festival and the Bob Woodruff Foundation. Clearly, the royals love to mix philanthropy with giving you the giggles.
Clad in his suit jacket adorned with four shiny military medals—because nothing says “I’m just like you!” like a blinged-out uniform—Harry delivered some hearty self-deprecation. He humorously proclaimed that he’d be “representing gingers,” dubbing them an endangered species. Clearly, someone’s been reading too many environmental reports.
“As someone who never gets scrutinized, I haven’t even had to prepare much,” Harry teased, further proving that just about anyone can jump in front of a camera and say something funny—especially when they’re shielded by royal immunity. But fear not, for he insisted that he’d been working on this particular act for ages. “And everyone I know tells me it’s perfect.” Cue the cynics raising their eyebrows—who are these people exactly? Oh, just the usual suspects: his finance manager, lawyer, and, naturally, his reiki healer. Talk about a confidence circle!
But it wasn’t all jokes and lighthearted chortling. Harry also took a moment to get serious—well, as serious as a royal turned comedian can get. He expressed admiration for fellow veterans and their families, declaring, “I salute each and every one of you, my brothers, my sisters, my friends, through respect, understanding, and admiration.” And just when you thought he couldn’t get more poignant, he advised anyone feeling lonely to cling to their purpose—beautiful advice from a newly-minted comedy king who just happened to be a royal.
As if a surprise cameo from Prince Harry wasn’t enough, the night featured a surprise performance from none other than Bruce Springsteen. The Boss treated the audience to five songs and, in classic form, shared a quip: “If at first you don’t succeed, don’t try to skydive.” There’s a lesson for us all; clearly, royalty and rock stars share a flair for the unexpected.
The evening attracted a parade of stars, including Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, and Tracy Morgan, proving once and for all that even A-list celebrities love a good laugh—especially when it’s for a commendable cause. Apparently, laughing at royalty is a hobby everyone can enjoy. Who knew being a stand-up prince would resonate so well with the masses?
So, if you’re feeling down and need a chuckle, remember that even royals need to spice up their lives every now and then. Next time you think of Harry and Meghan, picture them at the comedy club, tossing in jokes about their lives amidst a sea of laughter that, quite frankly, might just rival the royal family’s official engagements. Because, if nothing else, humor, much like royalty, is best served with a side of irony.
