Prince William appeared to make a subtle dig at his brother, Prince Harry, while praising their father, King Charles, during a special speech at the King’s Coronation Concert. The Prince of Wales focused on the importance of “service” within the royal family, highlighting the values at the core of their roles.
In his speech, William remarked, “For all that celebrations are magnificent, at the heart of the pageantry is a simple message: service. My father’s first words on entering Westminster Abbey yesterday were a pledge of service. It was a pledge to continue to serve.” His comments emphasized King Charles’ lifelong commitment to his royal duties and the notion of serving the public.
Many viewers perceived William’s words as a subtle jab at his younger brother, Harry. One observer noted, “Service Harry. Do you hear that? Not a free ride.” Another commented, “SERVICE. Something Harry doesn’t understand.” These reactions allude to the tension between the brothers following Harry’s departure from royal life.
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down from their roles as senior royals in 2020, Buckingham Palace issued a statement clarifying the implications. It read, “Following conversations with the Duke, the Queen has written confirming that in stepping away from the work of the Royal Family, it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service.”
William’s focus on service in his speech underscored the traditional expectations of the royal family, a contrast to Harry’s decision to step back from those responsibilities. This perceived dig adds another layer to the ongoing public conversation about the brothers’ diverging paths within and outside the monarchy.