Have I Got News For You’ continues on BBC One tonight at 9.00pm, with the fourth episode of its 65th series hosted by presenter Alexander Armstrong, who makes an incredible 39th appearance in the host’s chair.
Joining Armstrong as the week’s guest panellists, alongside regular team captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton, are comedian Maisie Adam, and Sunday Times columnist Camilla Long, who replaces the previously billed Helen Lewis.
Tomorrow’s coronation of King Charles III was highest on the agenda for the panels this week, but in a busy news week it was a jam-packed show with local elections taking place across the country yesterday, trouble in the civil service and questions being asked of Simon Case, Ed Sheeran winning his copyright court case and Rebekah Vardy trademarking the phrase ‘Wagatha Christie’!
With the coronation of King Charles III taking place at Westminster Abbey this weekend, the panel took a look at the recent announcement that the Archbishop of Canterbury would be inviting the public to pledge their allegiance to the king as part of the ceremony.
“So this is the coronation, which is going to be happening soon I believe? I’m not sure when, sometime this year,” quipped Paul Merton.
“Really? Oh, they should mention it!” agreed comedian Maisie Adam, laughing.
“The Archbishop of Canterbury has asked everyone to make a gesture during the ceremony,” said host Alexander Armstrong.
“Is this pledging the allegiance?” asked Merton.
“We get a line don’t we?” replied Adam.
“We do! These are the words of the oath we will be asked to pledge to King Charles: ‘I swear that I will pay true allegiance to Your Majesty and to your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God’” said Armstrong.
“It’s nice and jovial isn't it? I also think it's very hard to say ‘so help me God’ and not sound sarcastic. It's what your mum says before she absolutely b****cks you for not doing your homework,” joked Maisie Adam.
“The Queen's coronation in 1953 was about three and a bit hours long, it went on and on and on. What have they done to cut it down?” asked Armstrong.
“Well they’ve cut all these aristocrats pledging their allegiance, so it's only William who pledges his allegiance,” replied Ian Hislop.
“Yes, that's right - Prince William will be the only person to kneel before the king, pledging to be his father's ‘liegeman of life and limb’” responded Armstrong.
“That’s somebody who’s got hold of a dictionary and just turned to the letter ‘L’” laughed Merton.
“This is Saturday’s coronation, where there are a number of TV celebrities on the guest list, including Bear Grylls, Jay Blades and Ant and Dec. Holly and Phil will also be up there at the front even though they haven't been invited” quipped Armstrong, continuing, “There was drama leading up to the coronation when there were reports of a controlled explosion inside Buckingham Palace… presumably when Charles got a text from Meghan saying she could make it after all.”
Have I Got News For You continues on BBC One tonight at 9.00pm, guest hosted by Alexander Armstrong.
Picture: Hat Trick Productions
