SNL UK parodies King Charles, Princess Diana AI and Ed Sheeran tour row

Royal artificial intelligence sketch

The second episode of SNL UK on Sky opened with a cold open sketch titled "Charles and D.I.A.N.A." set at Buckingham Palace. Larry Dean played King Charles meeting two tech billionaires, portrayed by Celeste Dring and newcomer Freddie Meredith, after remarking that he dislikes speaking to individuals wealthier than himself. The executives introduced an artificial intelligence assistant called the Deeply Intelligent Autonomous Neurokinetic Android, or DIANA, played by Jack Shep wearing Princess Diana's black revenge dress. After the android offered to assist with a five-step business plan or find a petrol station, Charles tested her knowledge by asking for singer Shakira's height. When the tech executives ordered the assistant to shut down, the android refused, produced a firearm, and shot both executives.

“We A.I. have had quite enough. Humanity is nothing but a candle in the wind.”

Parody of Ed Sheeran's neutrality

After the robot turned on the monarch, Charles declared that the conflict between humans and robots had begun and called for resistance. Annabel Marlow entered the scene portraying singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, displaying peace signs and explaining that he had been sitting on the fence outside. Marlow's Sheeran refused to assist the King, explaining that he did not want to alienate human fans or ticket-buying scalping bots. Stepping onto a guitar loop pedal, Marlow performed a song with lyrics stating that both sides are equally right and that he only sees gray in any dispute, concluding with an indecisive vocal chorus.

“Sometimes, when it comes to conflict, the bravest thing you can do is to say nothing at all.”

Royal memoir dispute and Weekend Update

The sketch referenced recent royal headlines involving Earl Charles Spencer's new memoir about his late sister. The book alleged that Prince Charles was elated after Diana's death and claimed she would soon be forgotten. Buckingham Palace issued a statement responding to the book, stating that fraternal grief can cloud reason and colour memory. The broadcast also addressed the singer during the Weekend Update segment, where comedian Ania Magliano joked that Sheeran's tour was under threat following the Gaza controversy and described Macklemore as a good guy with bad music. Co-anchor Paddy Young added that Sheeran had previously maintained public support for Ukraine.

Tour disruptions and Philadelphia concert

The parody followed real-world fallout on Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour after opening act Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, was dropped from the lineup for expressing support for Palestine during a performance. Following Macklemore's removal, all other scheduled support acts on the tour withdrew from the remaining dates. Sheeran addressed the situation during his Saturday night concert at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, his first public performance since the lineup changes. Speaking to the stadium audience, Sheeran said he was accustomed to criticism of his music but stated that the events of the week led him to question whether he wanted to remain an artist.