Saturday Night Live UK premiered on television, taking a satirical approach to various global issues, including ex-prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor‘s association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the unpopular conflict in Iran, and ongoing Beckham family tensions.
The UK adaptation of the popular U.S. sketch comedy show, produced by Sky Studios, premiered on Saturday, March 21, featuring a British cast of comedians. The ensemble quickly addressed some of the world’s significant news stories.
“Coming up on Weekend Update: pedophilia. But first, war!” said Weekend Update UK host Ania Magliano, alongside her cohost, Paddy Young.
Following several jokes about Iran, the duo shifted focus back to the disgraced royal, who was arrested on February 19, his 66th birthday, for alleged misconduct in public office linked to his relationship with Epstein, who died by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Mountbatten-Windsor allegedly shared confidential government information with the late pedophile during his tenure as a U.K. trade envoy from 2001 to 2011.
“Renovations to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s new home, Marsh Farm, have been taking place over the last month, including installation of Sky TV,” Mangliano said. “So, if you’re watching Andrew, hello! You’re not going to like this next bit. Also, I’m older than I look.”
She continued, “Andrew’s new residence, Marsh Farm, is of course named after the nearby marsh where his body will be found.”
“It was reported this week that the police investigation into Andrew is set to widen,” Young added. “The big question now is, if Andrew is charged, found guilty and put in prison, will he be able to keep his mouth shut?”
A comedian then added a crude joke about the ex-prince’s fictional cellmate’s anatomy.
Elsewhere during the show — hosted by SNL alum Tina Fey featuring a performance from Wet Leg — the cast targeted President Donald Trump and his ongoing war efforts in Iran. Since the announcement of “Operation Epic Fury,” a joint initiative by the U.S. government and Israel, Trump, 79, has criticized NATO countries for not supporting the war.
“Remember the one where Ross and Rachel were on a break? I think perhaps that’s what we need,” stated cast member George Fouracres, portraying Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the show’s cold open, to an off-screen Trump via phone. “Not forever. Just until you’ve got all this war out of your system. Listen, we want different things. I know how badly you want to start World War III, and that’s great. You should absolutely do that. But we can’t be a part of it. You can, however, use the naval bases whenever you want.”
Royal followers learned in October 2025 that King Charles III stripped his younger brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor — formerly known as Prince Andrew — of his royal titles and evicted him from his lavish home. The former prince’s dramatic fall from grace has been linked to his friendship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. […]
In another segment of the premiere’s Weekend Update, Young highlighted the ongoing dispute between David Beckham and Victoria Beckham and their estranged son, Brooklyn Beckham.
“Feuding father and son David and Brooklyn Beckham narrowly missed each other whilst at the same Beverly Hills hotel,” Young began. “The feud began when Victoria was, quote, ‘inappropriately’ close with her son at his wedding.”
Young then made a crude incest joke regarding Victoria and her son.
The new UK sketch comedy series, executive produced by SNL creator Lorne Michaels, also stars Hammed Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, and Emma Sidi.
