Prince William makes subtle dig at Prince Harry with latest appearance

The Prince of Wales made a comment about families during a royal appearance together.

Prince William made a comment about families today on a royal visit (Image: ARTHUR EDWARDS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Prince William has made a comment about families today while speaking to soldiers at an army air field, which could be seen as a subtle dig at his own estranged brother Prince Harry. The Prince of Wales, 42, visited the Army Air Corps (ACC) in Wattisham, Suffolk, today in his role as its new colonel in chief.

During the visit, the prince watched a combat PT session, served sandwiches and chatted to soldiers during a brief water break, in which he made a comment about families being “a mixed bag”. The future King asked soldiers about the pace of life.

One man responded that it was a “mixed bag”, to which William replied: “Families okay? See you enough? Some of them might not want to see you that much. It’s a mixed bag sometimes.”

While the prince did not, and has not over the years, spoken publicly about his rift with his brother Prince Harry – who quit royal life in 2020 – the comment could be seen as a little dig at the duke.

It is believed that the royal brothers, who were once close, have not spoken for some time, with Harry having widened the rift with his brother by publishing the bombshell memoir Spare in 2023.

Since then, Harry and William have reportedly not been on talking terms.As well as checking in with soldiers on the visit, Prince William, who inherited his new military role from the King in May 2024, also looked at the work the corps do.

This included looking at how soldiers are adapting to the new capabilities of the recently acquired Apache AH-64E helicopter and taking a look at a planning and executive tent, where the prince examined maps and technologies for tracking live locations of soldiers taking part in NATO training in Norway.

William also spoke to some of the soldier’s families. His visit on Wednesday coincided with the birthday of his niece Princess Lilibet, Prince Harry’s four-year-old daughter.

It is not known whether Prince William or Princess Kate have ever met their niece, or have sent any birthday wishes.