'You were superb': Rod Stewart congratulates King Charles III with controversial quip

Rock legend Rod Stewart congratulated King Charles on the success of his state visit to the United States on Tuesday, but his words raised some eyebrows on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. Speaking to the British monarch at a King's Trust event, Stewart congratulated him for being "superb" in America, before following it up with a phrase that many speculate was directed towards President Donald Trump. 

"Hello, sir. May I say well done in the Americas? You were superb. Absolutely superb," Stewart told the King as they shook hands, with the Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood standing beside Stewart. "You put that little ratbag in his place," the two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee added, inviting a chuckle from the King, and a grin from Wood.

While Stewart did not name anyone in his remarks, many interpreted the insult as a reference to President Trump, whom Stewart has strongly criticized in the recent past. Reacting to the President's criticism of British and NATO troops, Stewart had called Trump a "draft dodger." "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. So, it hurts me badly, deeply, when I read that the draft dodger Trump has criticized our troops in Afghanistan for not being on the front line," Stewart had said in an Instagram video. 

King Charles' historic address to the U.S Congress came with a set of quips that many liberal celebrities and lawmakers interpreted as friendly jabs directed towards Trump. "You recently commented, Mr. President, that if it were not for the United States, European countries would be speaking German. Dare I say that, if it weren't for us, you'd be speaking French!" King Charles said, referring to a remark Trump made at the Davos Summit in January.

At the World Economic Forum, while talking about how Denmark fell to German forces and the U.S. had to step in during the war, Trump remarked, "Without us, you'd (the European allies) all be speaking German and a little Japanese perhaps." The King also referred to the struggle between the British and the French in North America, where rival colonial powers battled for control of the continent before U.S. independence 250 years ago.

King Charles also joked about the "readjustments" Trump was making to the East Wing of the White House, referring to the construction of the controversial $400 million ballroom. "I am sorry to say that we British, of course, made our own attempt at real estate redevelopment of the White House in 1814," referring to the historical incident where British soldiers torched the building in retaliation for an American attack. Charles made a few political references as well, and when he noted that executive power was "subject to checks and balances" and that this British tradition became the bedrock of the U.S. Constitution.