PRINCE William's comment about "not telling people what to do" was a subtle "dig" at his brother Harry, a royal expert has claimed.
The Duke of Cambridge spoke out amid criticism of his eight-day trip to Belize, Jamaica and The Bahamas with the Duchess of Cambridge last week.
The tour was marred by anti-royal protests, prompting William, 39, to tell the Commonwealth it could decide its own future.
In a closing statement, he said the trip had brought into sharper focus “questions about the past and the future”.
And he added: “Catherine and I are committed to service.
“For us that’s not telling people what to do.
Read More on the Royals
“It is about serving and supporting them in whatever way they think best, by using the platform we are lucky to have."
Royal biographer Angela Levin suggested the comment was a dig at Prince Harry, who has been a vocal campaigner for causes close to his heart since quitting royal life.
Speaking on Sky News, the author, who previously spent a year with the Duke of Sussex for an authorised biography, said of William's comments: "I think he’s right, I think that worked very well to say what he felt without telling people what to do - which I thought was also a dig at his brother."
Harry has shared his views openly at a number of public speaking events since quitting royal life, as well as talking openly in interviews and as chief impact officer for professional coaching and mental health firm BetterUp.
Most read in Fabulous
It has come in contrast to the Firm's long-standing "never complain, never explain" policy, which Wills could now end as the monarchy modernises.
Sources claim the royal has laid out a "blueprint" for his future as the king - and believes the royals must be "agile" to survive.
He is said to have called a crisis meeting with top aides following criticism of his Caribbean tour with Kate, which left the couple "bruised".
And sources say a royal revolution will see him tearing up the rulebook and running affairs "the Cambridge way".
One source told : "The prince believes that for him, the days of 'never complain' are over.
"He definitely won’t be speaking out regularly but believes if the monarchy has something to say, then it should say it."
Both Jamaica and Belize are set to pursue the path of ditching the Queen as Head of State.
Read More on The Sun
They are planning to follow Barbados - which became a republic last December.
Buckingham Palace has been approached for comment.