Bill Maher Doesn't See Place for Monarchy in 'This Woke World'

Bill Maher says he is surprised the "woke world" continues to accept the traditions of the British monarchy and thinks it could be gone within a decade.

The American comedian and political talk show host spoke to Newsweek from the studio where his new podcast, Club Random, is taped. During a wide-ranging discussion about that venture, he also spoke at length about the monarchy in the wake of Queen Elizabeth's death.

Maher recently discussed the topic on HBO's Real Time With Bill Maher. He opened last Friday's show by joking about the queen's passing, suggesting the cause of her death was "Meghan Markle's podcast." But he elaborated more seriously on his feelings about the monarchy's future in his conversation with Newsweek.

Asked about the historic news that came out of the United Kingdom last week, Maher said he's held on to his belief about an expiration date for the monarchy for years.

"I'm not an expert, but I certainly weighed in on the monarchy previously," Maher said. He recalled when Prince Harry and his wife, Markle, renounced their lives as royals in 2020.

"Instead of stepping back? Why don't you just say, 'Let's get rid of the whole thing?'" Maher said about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Maher continued, "Because in this woke world we live in, I can't think of anything more illiberal than the idea of calling someone Your Highness. Your Highness? Excuse me, we're all equal here. This is so medieval, and we're clinging to it in the 21st century?"

Despite his respect for the queen, who was on the British throne for 70 years, Maher said the monarchy may have overstayed its welcome.

"With Queen Elizabeth passing, you realize there is something to somebody like that in the world. It's amazing how much someone who was reviled 20 years ago, when Lady Diana died, has come back to be adored by her people for those very traits that we find so lacking in society these days. You know, the 'Just get on with it.' Not complaining. Duty. Responsibility.

"The question I asked the [Real Time] panel on Friday night was: With her passing, I don't think it's gonna keep going," Maher said.

"I just think, OK, we're going to go with her until the end. But I think there's gonna be a big movement in the next, I don't know, five, 10 years—to say, 'This is really an anachronism in the modern world,' to be calling people Your Highness and wearing crowns and all this stuff," he said.

He did express his admiration for the new sovereign, King Charles III, praising him for being "a very serious guy" and for getting into "environmental issues." But the monarchy as a whole seems to leave a sour taste in Maher's mouth.

"Where are the woke people on this? You hate everything that's even slightly illiberal and yet you're OK with monarchy? I just don't get it," he said.

New episodes of Maher's podcast will appear on YouTube and streaming platforms on Sunday nights. Later this week, Newsweek will have more from Maher discussing Club Random.