Prince William's Sussex 'Scolding': Future King 'Needs Prince Harry to Bring Him Down a Peg' After 'Egotistical' South Africa Interview

Author Tina Brown "doesn't play favorites" when it comes to the British royals, and feels that Prince Harry offers a "good sounding board" for his estranged brother, Prince William.

The bestselling scribe and former magazine editor dished, "William did not help the mood by giving a swaggery interview at the end of his South Africa trip for the Earthshot Prize."

"He told reporters about his plans to 'do things differently' and then listed 'impact philanthropy, collaboration, convening and helping people,'" she added. "In short, everything his father has been doing for the past 50 years..."

The former editor then pointedly continued, "William's comment that his plans for a caring, sharing monarchy also include 'throwing some empathy in there' made him sound like a performative pinhead. In happier years, it was the irreverent Harry who could tease the Prince of Wales and take him down a peg."

In what one X commenter called "William's Meghan Markle word salad moment," HRH told a reporter in Cape Town. "I'm trying to do it for my generation. And to give you more of an understanding around it, I'm doing it with maybe a smaller R in the royal if you like."

The next monarch continued, "So it's more about impact philanthropy, collaboration, convening, and helping people. I'm also going to throw empathy in there as well because I really care about what I do. It helps impact people's lives."

HRH further observed, "We could do with some more empathetic leadership around the world. So that's what I'm trying to bring, that’s what Catherine is trying to bring as well. I sit here right now doing Earthshot and doing all the projects I'm doing, like Homewards as well. And who knows what's going to come next, but it all centers around those values of trying to help deliver change and make those lives better."

In a rare interview during his current trip, the future king was asked about his "annus horribilis" (Latin for "terrible year"), and HRH candidly replied, "Honestly? It’s been dreadful. It’s probably been the hardest year in my life."

HRH added, "So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult. But I’m so proud of my wife, I’m proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. But from a personal family point of view, it’s been brutal."

However, the king-in-waiting came under fire on X thanks to his remarks on "making change."

"You're not supposed to 'make change' d------, you're supposed to wear elaborate outfits and jewels and put on a show that people want to see," someone commented.

Another added, "No one gave you a mandate to change anything."

A third commenter pointed out, "Everybody complains about Harry & Meghan, but William is just as woke — just as self-righteous and nauseating lol."

GBN reported on Brown's remarks.