During a discussion about King Charles' upcoming coronation on May 6, royal expert Robert Jobson made a joke that caused offense among many viewers.
Jobson suggested that the King would blow out Archie's birthday candles and then held his hands out in imitation, referencing a moment when Michael Jackson notoriously held his son Blanket over the balcony of a hotel in Berlin in 2002.
While Jobson explained that he was paying homage to Jackson's action and did not intend any harm, many viewers took offense to the joke. Some described it as "vile" and "tasteless", and accused Jobson of endangering the young prince. The reaction was swift and strong, with Twitter users expressing their anger and disgust at the comment.
Among those who spoke out against the joke was musician Stella Parton, who tweeted that she was "shocked" by the British media's insensitivity towards Archie. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who are on the guest list for the coronation, are reportedly keen to be part of the "special family moment" when the royals gather to watch the procession from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
