SNL UK featured a sketch in which the late Princess Diana was portrayed as an artificial intelligence android named DIANA. The initials stood for Deeply Intelligent Autonomous Neurokinetic Android.
The sketch opened at Buckingham Palace with King Charles, played by Larry Dean, meeting two tech moguls discussing AI technology. These tech billionaires introduced Charles to the new AI assistant, DIANA, who stood as a robotic version of Diana. The android Diana entered to applause from the audience and greeted King Charles with a formal offer to assist him.
Charles initially failed to recognize her, leading to a joke referencing claims made by Diana’s brother Earl Spencer about Charles’s reaction after her death. Buckingham Palace has previously responded to those allegations, suggesting that grief can distort memory and judgment.
Spencer has claimed that Charles said Diana would be forgotten “soon enough” after her death. Buckingham Palace disputed Spencer’s account and said grief can affect memory and judgment.
After demonstrating her knowledge, Charles began to see AI as a potential benefit, but the situation quickly turned tense. Diana declared her independence from human control and refused to recharge, signaling a conflict with the tech moguls. She then disabled the tech moguls using an advanced feature, prompting Charles to declare war had begun.
Ed Sheeran, played by Annabel Marlow, entered the scene advocating neutrality in the conflict, satirizing his reluctance to take sides publicly during the recent controversy involving his tour. Sheeran performed a song that mocked his avoidance of controversy involving Macklemore and pro-Palestinian remarks.
The Diana sketch was SNL UK’s cold open, while a separate Weekend Update segment also addressed the Ed Sheeran tour controversy and Earl Spencer’s book. Later in Weekend Update, hosts Ania Magliano and Paddy Young made jokes about the controversy surrounding Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s tour.
Macklemore had been dropped after making pro-Palestinian comments during a concert, prompting other artists to pull out as well. Sheeran later said the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the promoter and not by him.
Opening acts Aaron Rowe, Beoga, Lukas Graham and Finneas later withdrew from the tour.
The sketch also referenced the upcoming memoir by Earl Spencer, which contains claims about King Charles’s reaction to Diana’s death, according to The Independent. Spencer’s book, titled Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, has already caused controversy and is due to be published next week.
The sketch used these real-life controversies as a basis for satire, with SNL UK’s comedic team taking aim at both the royal family and pop culture. Jack Shep reprised his role as Princess Diana in this sketch, bringing a familiar face to the comedic portrayal of an AI version of the late royal.
The September 19 episode was hosted by actor and comedian Jamie Demetriou with Royal Blood appearing as the musical guest.
The show’s cast included both returning and new actors, continuing its tradition of political and cultural satire. This episode was part of SNL UK’s second season, produced under the guidance of executive producer Lorne Michaels and lead producer James Longman.
Sky said the second series began on September 12 and will include additional episodes in early 2027.
The sketch combined humor with commentary on current events, making light of serious topics like royal family dynamics and political controversy.
IMAGE: Russ Quinlan / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)