The comment was made during a conversation on Monday night with King Carlos III at the Royal Albert Hall in London, as part of the gala for the 50th anniversary of the charitable foundation 'A King's Trust'.
As reported by The Times, Stewart took the opportunity of the protocol greeting to effusively congratulate the monarch for his recent State visit to Washington last April. "Let me tell you: Well done in the United States! It was magnificent, absolutely magnificent. You put that rascal in his place!", exclaimed the musician referring to the Republican president. While the king continued the conversation briefly, Ronnie Wood, guitarist of the Rolling Stones, could be seen smiling at the spontaneity of his colleague.
The exchange highlights the subtle yet firm stance that Carlos III maintained during his four-day tour of the United States. In his speech to Congress, the sovereign addressed topics that are not usually favored by the current White House administration, such as the strategic importance of NATO, the unwavering commitment to Ukraine, and the urgency of combating climate change. This firmness was what prompted Stewart's applause, who later told Queen Camilla that he was congratulating the monarch for his "wonderful performance" abroad.
The royal visit was also marked by British wit. During the State dinner, Carlos III joked about the history of the former colony saying: "If it weren't for us, you'd be speaking French!". The event at the Royal Albert Hall served to celebrate the legacy of the King's Trust organization, created by the king in 1976 to support young people in the United Kingdom. With this new episode, it is clear that Carlos III's diplomatic style, although respectful, has not gone unnoticed by prominent figures in culture, who celebrate his ability to defend global values against Washington's rhetoric.