Did Prince William take dig at Prince Harry in tribute statement?

The Dukes of Cambridge and Sussex have paid tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh, their grandfather.

Prince William called him a “extraordinary man,” while Prince Harry called him a “man of service, honor, and great humor” and a “legend of banter” in individual statements.

But the Duke of Cambridge's statement has been considered by many as containing subtle digs at his young brother, the Duke of Sussex.

William seemed to point out that Harry has abandoned the life of service, and his family.

Prince William's statement

“My grandfather's century of life was characterized by service — to his nation and Commonwealth, to his wife and Queen, and to our family. I consider myself fortunate to have had not only his example to lead me, but also his constant presence in my adult life — in both good and bad times.

“I would remain eternally thankful to my wife for having spent so much time with my grandparents and for the kindness he gave her through the years. I'll never take for granted the unique memories my children would have of their great-grandpa coming to pick them up in his carriage and allowing them to see firsthand his contagious spirit of fun and mischievous sense of humor!

“My grandfather was a remarkable man who belonged to a remarkable generation. Catherine and I will continue to do what he would have wanted in the years ahead, and we will continue to support The Queen. I'll miss my Grandpa, but I'm sure he'd want us to get back to work.

The dig

Harry may very well be the target of the phrases “life was defined by service” and “family.” Since Harry and Meghan stepped back as ‘senior' members of the royal family and are taking on commercial ventures out of public service.

“Catherine and I will continue to do what he would have wanted and will support The Queen in the years ahead.” This line from William's statement provides the sense that Harry and Meghan are not doing so, and points to the Cambridges as as duty-bound to the family and the Queen.

‘Not a dig'

According to Harry's pal, journalist Omid Scobie, Prince William's touching homage to Philip was not a “dig” at his brother, and the two are “unified.”

William promised to concentrate on his duties and continue to serve the Queen, prompting speculation that he was mocking Harry, who quit the royal family for a life in the United States with Meghan Markle.

However, Omid Scobie, a friend of the Sussexes who shared Harry's personal tribute to Philip on Twitter yesterday, claims this isn't the case.

Harper's Bazaar's royal editor told Good Morning Britain: “I think for us on the outside it might look like that but I think we have to remember that that is William's role, he is the future head of state and so he is really thinking about getting back to work. I don't think it was anything aimed at his brother .

Omid went on to say: “In fact I think across the board in the royal family right now everyone is really looking at putting differences aside to focus on what matters and that's focusing on Prince Philip's life and legacy but also rallying around the Queen during her time of need.

“I think if there's anything that's sort of beautiful about this week and in the days leading up to the funeral it's about seeing a family unified in a way that we haven't seen in so many years.”