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Some will happily play along – not least if they can play the game for laughs (“there is nothing to eat in this house,” signed a sulky teenager). But equally, there’ll be those whose faces will crease in horror at the prospect of this playing merry jape and suddenly plead no signal.
The fact is that our phones are an extension of our hearts and minds. Embedded deep in the messaging circuitry are thoughts admissions, flirtations and exchanges that are deeply personal.
Not just for those with extracurricular diversions, the messages – sent or received – may well be harmless. Or even well-meant. But when witnessed outside of context, the impact can be nuclear.
That’s why when we send messages, we do so knowing either our secrets are safe or are fair game for others to discuss.
That’s why the moment in Harry and Meghan’s Netflix series when our hero reveals he has received a text from his brother, Prince William, is one of many – many – all-time lows.
In the footage, filmed in the days after the Sussexes’ bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, Harry is seen looking distressed while his wife is busy on a call.
He interrupts her conversation to show Meghan the screen of his own phone. She responds by saying: “Wow, H just got a text from his brother.”
Cue an anguished H, hands behind his head, lamenting: “I wish I knew what to do.”
Thankfully the Mrs is on hand. “I know,” she coos to him. “Let’s take a breather. Get some air and then decide.”
After which Meghan wraps her arms around her husband`s waist and they lock, in a tight embrace.
‘In Harry`s world everything and everyone is fair game’ (Image: Netflix)
You can almost hear the producer, stage left, yelping: “let’s look meaningful, guys` as the couple stare – well – meaningfully, out of the window.
We`re not actually privy to the contents of William’s text. Though bookies’ odds surely run the gamut from “you nasty little ginger whinger” (and I write as a fellow redhead) to much, much worse.
But the fact is that the text was sent as a private message.
It wasn’t dished up as fodder for an insatiable Netflix audience.
And while William may well have been aware there was every chance his brother would show his phone to others, doing so on camera is an absolute shocker of a betrayal.
Let’s set aside Harry`s double standards on privacy – we`ve had six wound-licking hours which perfectly articulate how it’s one rule for Camp Sussex and another for everyone else.
Taking aim at William is unconscionable.
And let’s not give Harry any credit for not revealing the contents of the text.
It’s actually a master stroke – even if it was by default rather than design – which allows his supporters to think the very worst of the Prince of Wales.
Meanwhile, Meghan’s extravagant B-Movie response just compounds the misery of this deeply uncomfortable scene.
We already know Harry is an angry, entitled and unforgiving young man.
But this final part of the Netflix documentary shows something more.
That he lacks courage: lashing out at his brother’s private message is cowardly when Harry knows William cannot respond.
Since as the heir to the throne, becoming enmeshed in a sibling-slanging match is just not done.
As such Harry commits the worst betrayal of all – showing himself capable of weaponising or commoditising even the most (and, oh the irony) private situations for his own purpose.
Those who laud Harry and Meghan for their humanitarianism should be reminded of this.
That those capable of bad behaviour shouldn’t be deployed as ambassadors to lecture the rest of us.
Meanwhile, anyone who has ever texted Harry’s phone should, as Meghan might say, take a moment.
If he can do this to his own brother, he can do it to anyone.
Those thinking of offering further opportunities to the Duke and his wife should remember this above all else. Nothing is private.
No party games are needed – because in Harry`s world everything and everyone is fair game.
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