Prince Harry has been ripped apart on US television after a joke about Donald Trump in a comedy sketch sent conservative pundits into meltdown. The Duke of Sussex appeared in a festive spoof with Stephen Colbert, only for a line about Americans "electing a king" to spark a furious backlash amongst Fox News pundits. Hosts and contributors piled in, accusing Harry of undermining the Royal Family and sticking his nose into American politics just months after King Charles's successful meeting with President Trump.

Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum led the charge, blasting Harry for wading into another political spat. She said: "Why is he poking a hole in that very successful meeting between King Charles and President Trump? It also steps on all the Christmas events that the royal family is doing right now it's so petty. They love to like shoot across each other's PR and squash each other out and it's like don't you have enough? Don't you have enough? I thought you wanted a quiet life in California?"

Contributor Carley Shimkus then tore into his past comments about free speech.

She said: "I'll never forget several years ago when Harry did an interview and he criticised the entirely of the first amendment.

"In hindsight that shouldn't come as a surprise given all the speech issues happening the UK, and we know where he stand on that, but he accused the president of trying to act like a king there, well it's clear that he's the one with the ruling class mentality there and the regular people shouldn't have the chance to speak freely."

She added that Americans were simply fed up with the prince weighing in on US affairs: "I really think that overall when Harry criticises American politics it just rubs Americans the wrong way.

"It's kind of like inviting someone over and they walk into your house and criticise your décor. It's just not your place."

The uproar began after Harry appeared behind Colbert on The Late Show, pretending to be lost while searching for an audition for a Hallmark-style Christmas movie titled Gingerbread Christmas Prince Saves Christmas in Nebraska.

When Colbert questioned why a real prince would need to audition at all, Harry joked that Americans were "obsessed" with festive films and royalty.

Colbert pushed back, and the Duke replied: "Really? I hear you elected a king," widely interpreted as a swipe at Trump and a nod to the "No Kings" protests held in US cities earlier this year.

Harry then mocked CBS's recent settlement with Trump, telling Colbert he would "do anything" to get the role.

He said: "I'll record a self-tape, I'll fly myself to an audition, settle a baseless lawsuit with the White House - all the things you people in TV do." When Colbert insisted he'd done none of those things, Harry shot back: "Maybe that's why you're cancelled."

The sketch ended with sleigh bells, Christmas trees and the host crowning Harry the show's "official Late Show prince of Christmas."