Rod Stewart has drawn attention after appearing to call US President Donald Trump a “little ratbag” during a conversation with King Charles at an event in London.
The 81-year-old singer was greeting the King in a receiving line on Monday alongside Ronnie Wood from The Rolling Stones when he praised the monarch’s recent state visit to the United States.
“May I say, well done in the Americas,” Stewart said in footage of the exchange.
“You were superb, absolutely superb… put that little ratbag in his place.”
The King’s response could not be clearly heard in the clip, although he appeared to gesture while replying.
According to The Independent, the monarch responded jokingly.
After listening to the King, Stewart added: “Exactly, that’s it – it went right over his head, right over his head.”
Stewart later repeated his praise while speaking to Queen Camilla.
“I was just congratulating your husband on his wonderful performance in the Americas, so great, so brave, so proud,” he said.
The singer has previously spoken publicly about his changing views on Trump.
Earlier this year, Stewart criticised the US President over comments about troops in Afghanistan.
“I may just be a humble rock star. I’m also a knight of the realm, and I have my opinions. I was born just after the war (World War II), and have great respect for our armed forces that fought and gave us our freedom,” he said.
“It hurts me badly, deeply, when I read that the draft dodger Trump has criticised our troops in Afghanistan for not being on the front line.
“We lost over 400 of our guys. Think of their parents. Think about it! And Trump calls ’em almost like cowards. It’s unbearable.
“So I’m calling on you, Prime Minister [Keir] Starmer and [Reform UK leader Nigel] Farage. Please, make the draft dodger Trump apologise, please.”
The King’s state visit to Washington in April was widely viewed as an important moment for UK-US relations.
During the trip, the King addressed Congress, speaking about NATO, support for Ukraine and the importance of international alliances.
A senior palace aide later said the King and Trump had a warm relationship behind the scenes.
“The warmth that you see in public is absolutely the warmth you see in private,” the aide said.
“They get on very well.”
Image: Adam McCullough / Shutterstock.com
