Prince William told Harry that Royal life is not a ‘free ride’ in a subtle dig

Prince William appeared to make a subtle dig at his younger brother, Prince Harry, while delivering a heartfelt speech praising their father, King Charles, during the King’s Coronation Concert. The Prince of Wales emphasized the importance of service within the Royal Family, a core value that seems to draw a clear line between his own role and that of Harry, who stepped down from royal duties.

During 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.”

William’s emphasis on service didn’t go unnoticed by viewers, some of whom saw it as a pointed comment directed at his brother. One viewer noted, “Service Harry. Do you hear that? Not a free ride,” while another added, “SERVICE. Something Harry doesn’t understand.”

The context of these reactions harks back to when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down from their roles as senior royals in 2020. Following their decision, Buckingham Palace released a statement clarifying the consequences of stepping away from royal duties. “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 responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service,” the statement read.

Prince Harry’s exit from royal duties has been a point of contention, especially in light of his and Meghan’s subsequent public appearances and business ventures. Many royal watchers have been critical of what they see as Harry’s move away from the values of service that have long been central to the Royal Family.

William’s comments, particularly at such a high-profile event like the Coronation Concert, seemed to reaffirm his own commitment to these values, while highlighting the distinction between the lives he and Harry now lead. As King Charles takes on his new role, it is clear that service remains at the heart of the monarchy, a principle that William is eager to continue upholding.

For now, it seems the divide between the brothers is still very much evident, with William standing firmly by the side of their father, and Harry charting a different path.