Washington, D.C. — Fox News commentator Jesse Watters found himself controversially escorted away from Queen Camilla during a state dinner at the White House after he made an ill-conceived joke about gun violence. The incident added an unexpected layer of tension to a diplomatic occasion aimed at strengthening relationships between the United States and the United Kingdom.
The event unfolded on Tuesday, April 28, as President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcomed King Charles III and Queen Camilla for a formal white-tie banquet. This gathering was particularly significant, marking the first visit by a British monarch to the U.S. since 2007 and coinciding with the 250th anniversary of American independence.
During formal introductions, Watters engaged the queen in small talk about her recent tour of the White House’s South Lawn, specifically her visit to the site’s beehives. After the queen described her experience as enjoyable, Watters made a comment that many would consider inappropriate: “Well, you know, it was Washington D.C., you know, if the bees don’t get you, the guns will.”
Watters later recounted the moment on his show, acknowledging that a royal aide quickly intervened to separate him from the queen as he struggled to articulate his thoughts. His fellow hosts expressed disbelief, with one asking incredulously, “You said that? To the queen?!” The atmosphere among his colleagues shifted from shock to humor, with Greg Gutfeld dismissing it as typical behavior for Watters.
The remark came shortly after a high-profile security scare during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, enhancing the sensitivity surrounding discussions of gun violence. Just days before, the nation watched as a gunman attempted to gain access to the event with apparent malicious intent. Amid heightened political tensions, crime rates in D.C. had recently been a contentious topic, particularly as Trump had made sweeping changes to policing in the area.
Watters’ evening didn’t begin smoothly, as he and his wife were briefly detained by security due to a mistake on their entry paperwork. Other Fox News personnel, including anchor Bret Baier and Gutfeld, later revealed they had also experienced paperwork mishaps, further illustrating the chaotic atmosphere of the night.
His awkward encounter with the queen was not the only challenge of the evening. King Charles appeared unfamiliar with Watters and responded dryly when he introduced himself. Similarly, Gutfeld had an unremarkable exchange with the king, who seemed unimpressed after being told about Gutfeld’s status as a late-night host on Fox.
This state visit was seen as a vital step in mending transatlantic relations after a series of disagreements between the U.S. and U.K., particularly regarding foreign policy. King Charles’ address to a joint session of Congress was well-received, suggesting a renewed commitment to dialogue between the two countries.
Surrounded by regal splendor, the evening also highlighted the royal family’s longstanding connection to beekeeping, as evidenced by new beehive installations at the White House. This aspect was intended to create a soft, visually appealing narrative amidst the more serious undertones of the dinner.
As the royal couple rounded off their trip, which included public engagements in New York and Virginia, Watters took to social media to reflect on the evening, humorously stating, “I ALMOST got THROWN OUT of the Royal State Dinner.” Gutfeld, meanwhile, joked about the likelihood of this being his last state dinner experience, suggesting that the aftermath of the evening’s incidents might linger on longer than expected.