Aussie comedians 'crossed the line' with royal jokes as news of Queen's death broke

Australian satire group The Chaser have found themselves in the middle of a social media firestorm after they cracked jokes about the Queen 'quiet quitting', poking fun at R U OK Day, and 'God fails to save Queen'.

In the hours before and after the Queen passed away at her estate in Balmoral, Scotland, the Australian comedy group posted multiple memes, including one of the British monarch and a caption that read ‘R U OK day not going well’.

R U OK? is a suicide prevention charity that inspires Australian communities to look after each other by encouraging people to ask "Are you OK?"

As the Queen died five hours later after their R U OK Day post, many hit out at the comedy group.

One person wrote: “That didn’t age well.”

Another said: “Poor taste guys. Really poor taste. Not even a bit funny.”

A third commented: “You got this one wrong.”

Wooooow this is terrible. Seeking comedy in someone’s poor health. Wow, you’ve guys have taken a terrible turn.

— JustyouraverageFantasy (@Justyou93469302) September 8, 2022

Next time someone in your families might be close to death, make sure you tweet about it so Twitter can have a good laugh at your expense. Jerks.

— Craig D (@CraigDunnAU) September 8, 2022

While another admitted: “That’s just wrong. And I feel ashamed because a little laugh came out.”

However, the comedians were just warming up as they proceeded to post another meme, this time jabbing at King Charles' less than favourable public perception. 

The post included a woman photoshopped with the caption: "Dark Day: Nation in mourning after reading the words 'King Charles'".

No class.

— Lookwhosignant (@Lookwhosignant) September 8, 2022

The Chaser also posted another divisive post to their social media with a photo of business magnate Rupert Murdoch that read: "Queen dies, leader of Australia remains the same."

And as if that joke didn’t leave people absolutely seething, the satire group wrote on Twitter: "God fails to save Queen."

The comedy collective are showing no signs of slowing down, ignoring the numerous complaints for their ‘tasteless jokes’ and promised to show more sensitivity when broaching the Queen’s death.

They issued a tongue-in-cheek statement via Twitter.

"Statement: Sometimes in comedy you put a foot wrong. Last night we tweeted some things in the heat of the moment that on reflection were still very funny and you can all expect another week of this."

They then followed it up with a comment on Australian currency, encouraging people to mail in their coins as it is now 'no longer legal tender'.

Statement: Sometimes in comedy you put a foot wrong. Last night we tweeted some things in the heat of the moment that on reflection were still very funny and you can all expect another week of this

— The Chaser (@chaser) September 8, 2022

For those wondering about currency with the Queen's image on it, unfortunately it is now no longer legal tender. Please mail it to us, and we'll make sure it's properly disposed of.

— The Chaser (@chaser) September 9, 2022

"For those wondering about currency with the Queen's image on it, unfortunately it is now no longer legal tender. Please mail it to us, and we'll make sure it's properly disposed of," they said.

We'd just like to disclose that it is still legal tender, just in case anyone had any ideas.

The gags are still coming hot and fast from their social accounts, so we have a feeling they’re not going to wave the white flag anytime soon.