Four-word phrase William used to launch a subtle attack on Harry

Prince Harry all but confirmed the feud between him and brother William in his recent documentary. Prince William’s response was a sly but fierce retaliation.

COMMENT

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have caused something of a media mudslide over the past week.

Their documentary, Harry & Meghan: an African Journey, contained frank interviews with the pair, with Meghan admitting that the scrutiny of living in the royal spotlight had taken a psychological toll on her, and Harry adding that the pressure from the media had now put his mental health in maintenance mode.

For more stories like this, go to whimn.com.au.

It’s a long way from the stiff upper lip we’ve come to expect from the royal family, which is perhaps why Prince William, when asked to comment on his brother’s recent revelations, reportedly said he was “worried” about him. According to the Palace source, Prince Harry and Meghan are thought by William to be in a “fragile place.”

RELATED: The damning reality of Meghan and Harry documentary

RELATED: Meghan just gave mums permission to say these 3 powerful words

RELATED: When Meghan Markle says she’s not OK, we should listen

It sounds on the surface like perfectly appropriate comments to make. But if Prince William really used those words, I think we should call it for what it really is: concern trolling.

Meghan, Prince Harry, Prince William, and Kate on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, to watch a military fly-past to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force. Picture: Tolga Akmen/AFP

Because if you, as an older brother, need a documentary to find out the state of your only brother’s mental health — a cause you’re both supposed to be patrons of — then you’re obviously not all that close.

If you were, you might offer a more unifying comment like: “It is true that the media criticism has taken a terrible toll on my brother and his family — and I’m glad he’s speaking out.”

You might, if you like, take the opportunity to plug your Heads Together initiative; you know, the one that you set up with Catherine, Harry and Meghan to ensure that people suffering from mental anguish should never have to do so alone.

But Wills didn’t do that.

He said, reportedly, that he hoped they were “all right”. What a great swag of luck it is that we are already familiar with William’s posh baritone voice or we might be tempted to hear those words as a greeting from a ruddy-faced barman as he pours you a lager in a darkened pub in Burnage.

“You all right then, mate? Goorn, cheer oop then!”

Because honestly, that’s the level of flippancy.

RELATED: The moment it all went wrong for Harry and Megs

RELATED: This is the saddest part about Harry’s statement

Prince Harry, and Meghan at the British High Commissioner residency in Johannesburg. Picture: Michele Spatari/AFP

RELATED: Proof the Queen has been subtly shading Harry and Meghan

It’s my strong contention that the man who once referred to his just-given-birth wife as “poppet” is inferring that Harry, who was never interested in following protocol, is being a tad dramatic, airing all his soiled feelings before so many people.

“You OK mate? You seem a bit … fragile.”

And if William has, he’s not the first brother to have made light of a sibling’s woes. It would even make sense, as William does seem more Windsor in his temperament than Spencer. But to give voice publicly, or, to understand that if you tell a palace source, it will get out, that you’re “worried” is a little bit cruel, I think.

If one were feeling particularly fragile one might even venture that it’s the type of emotional gaslighting your own father did to your mother when she spoke out.

But that’s between the brothers.

What’s no longer between the bros is public concern trolling. Like when you go to the doctor for the flu and she tells you she’s “worried” about your BMI. Or you spend the night with a new man friend and your best frenemy texts to say she’s “officially worried about your behaviour, hun xox”.

Can you see it? You can certainly feel it. The judgement. The light-as-whipped-egg-whites sanctimony. It’s a big, fat, “sorry you feel that way — Poppet and I have been able to rise above the fracas and now we’re thriving!”

Otherwise, why didn’t we hear something like: “William knows all too well how hard it can be.” Or even: “The Prince has contacted his brother and would appreciate privacy.”

But those sentiments were not on offer.

RELATED: The Palace just took a sneaky swipe at Meghan’s work ethic

RELATED: The Prince putting Harry in the shade right now

Prince William and Prince Harry in 2012. Picture: Ian KINGTON / AFP

RELATED: Why Meghan Markle is the ultimate ‘influencer’

Is it because William, whom Harry spoke of in the documentary as going on a different path, views his brother and sister in-law’s honesty as self-pity? And is that because he was having a right old time of it with Harry as the third wheel before this American actress came along and tore Harry away from him? And now she gets all this attention? While Poppet has been studiously birthing not one or two but three heirs? And even employed a stylist?

How often do we hear it in culture? In families and films: the enduring myth of the eldest child, who did everything right, only to have a younger sibling come along, break the rules and then, worse, succeed. And now? Now everyone is giving them attention?

What about me?!

Maybe William really is worried. Perhaps he’s already placed a call to the House of Sussex. Maybe this is all cruel conjecture. But we will never know, because while William has spoken about his grief, and his support of mental illness, he’s never opened up about his current state of mind. I get the feeling he never will.

— Natalie Reilly is a freelance writer and contributor

— This story originally appeared on whimn.com.au and is reproduced with permission