Prince Harry delivered one of the most unexpected — and funniest — late-night moments of the year when he interrupted Stephen Colbert’s monologue on The Late Show Wednesday night, popping onto the stage as if he’d wandered into the wrong room while looking for a Hallmark movie audition.

The December 3 appearance — unannounced, fully committed, and met with a roaring standing ovation — marked Harry’s latest playful media cameo as he promotes holiday content alongside wife Meghan Markle.

“Sorry, I thought this was the audition…”

Colbert, 61, was in the middle of skewering the glut of “royal-themed” TV Christmas movies such as Crown Prince of Christmas, The Royal We, and A Royal Icing Christmas, joking they give Americans false hope they’ll bump into a prince during the holidays.

Right on cue, Harry stepped onto the stage.

Colbert, mock-shocked, greeted him by his full formal name:

“It’s Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales-Sussex! What are you doing here?”

Harry, 41, didn’t miss a beat.

“Sorry — I genuinely thought this was the audition for The Gingerbread Prince Saves Christmas in Nebraska.”

America’s ‘obsession’ with Christmas movies… and royalty

When Colbert questioned why a real-life prince wanted to star in a Hallmark-style film, Harry shot back:

“Well, you Americans are obsessed with Christmas movies and you’re obsessed with royalty, so why not?”

Colbert denied Americans have any such obsession — prompting Harry to deadpan:

“Really? I heard you elected a king.”

The room erupted.

Harry then listed his “skills” as a potential Hallmark leading man:

“I can ride a horse. I can fly a helicopter. I can ride a horse and a helicopter.”

Colbert teased that getting cast in Hollywood often comes down to knowing the right people — asking if Harry knew “any famous TV actresses.”

Harry winked:

“I might know one.”

A Hallmark-style transformation onstage

Suddenly, the set began transforming into a Christmas wonderland: trees, snowmen, and falling snow.

Harry lit up:

“Stephen, you just have to believe! Minutes ago, you said it was impossible — but look, isn’t there a handsome prince standing in front of you right now?”

Colbert eventually caved:

“I was testing you. You’ve got the role.”

Harry’s busy holiday media season

The late-night drop-in came the same day Harry appeared in Meghan’s Netflix special, With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration.

During the festive cooking segment, Meghan served him extra-spicy gumbo.

Harry’s verdict:

“I can feel it puncturing through the top of my head. It’s delicious… maybe not as good as your mom’s, but close.”

A lighter side of the Sussexes

Harry’s playful cameo — contrasting sharply with the couple’s heavier public image of recent years — was widely praised online as charming and self-aware.

With the holidays approaching, it seems the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are leaning into the season, serving up humor, nostalgia, and plenty of TV cameos.

And if Hallmark is watching?
Harry is ready.