Everything We Know About the Endless Drama Surrounding Prince Harry’s $20 Million Royal Memoir

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There have been TV shows about his family, Lifetime movies about his relationship, multiple biographies about his sibling drama, and countless news exclusives—and now Prince Harry is finally taking control over his narrative. Well, he actually kinda already did that with the whole bombshell Oprah interview, but still! This dude is taking things to another level of inside access with his upcoming memoir.

Aside from a press release and a brief statement, not much has been revealed about Harry’s memoir (which was written with the help of ghostwriter J. R. Moehringer). But thanks to royal sources, publishing insiders, and plenty of sleuthing, we pretty much know what to expect. And when it comes to this book, timing is everything.

So When Is Prince Harry’s Memoir Coming Out?

While the book was initially due to come out in fall 2022 (right in time for the Thanksgiving/Christmas market), Page Six reported in late August that the memoir could be delayed until 2023 because it’s full of “truth bombs” that Harry is unsure about publishing. Royal author Tom Bower even added to the rumor mill by saying that it would probably debut around Easter *and* could include a chapter about the late Queen’s funeral.

However!! We now know straight from the prince’s publisher that the book, titled Spare, will come out on January 10, 2023.

Harry Is “Frantically” Trying to Edit It

According to a report from The Sun, Harry is “panicking” about the memoir and trying to get some last-minute changes made due to fears that it could be “insensitive” in the wake of the Queen’s death.

How Much Did He Get Paid?

According to Page Six, Prince Harry got “at least $20 million up front” from Penguin Random House, with proceeds going to charity! Love that he’s using this moment to give back.

There Was Slight Drama With Harry’s Docuseries

Before Volume I of Harry & Meghan was released on Netflix last week, one source told Page Six that Netflix wanted "to make sure they get in there and don’t get scooped” by Harry’s memoir, and execs “knew the book was coming out, which is why they wanted the series this year.” With Volume II of the docuseries coming out tomorrow, Netflix clearly has nothing to worry about. Guess we'll have to see what from the show and the book line up!

The Royals Have Been Spiraling

King Charles seems particularly stressed that Harry could take aim at his wife, Queen Consort Camilla, and a source told The Sun that “Charles has shared his concerns with William and is keen he somehow goes on the record and sticks up for Camilla should the book attack her. But as much as William loves his father, he’s unlikely to want to get involved. In all likelihood, he will try and stay neutral.”

Oh, and a royal insider also told The Mirror, “There is a now tsunami of fear among the royals over what Harry will write. Many hope he may correct a few things but do not hold much hope.”

Charles and William Haven’t Gotten Advance Copies

The Telegraph reported that Charles and William haven’t seen “any part of the manuscript” or been told “when the book will be published.” Apparently, Charles “indicated” that he and his team wanted a copy of the book in advance, but it’s “unlikely to be on his reading list” anyway, sooooo.

There’s “New Content” in the Book

Thanks to all those aforementioned bios and shows, we know a lot about Harry’s life already. But a Page Six source says, “There’s a lot of new stories in there about the past that Harry has not spoken about before, about his childhood.…There is some content in there that should make his family nervous.”

And royal expert and author Andrew Morton told Us Weekly that Charles in particular should be nervous. “If I was Prince Charles, I’d be looking for a pile of coats to hide under,” he said. “I think we’re going to see Charles once more in the firing line.”

Harry and Meghan’s Former Staff Is Looking for “Loopholes”

A royal insider told the Daily Mail that “Harry and Meghan’s former staff members are convinced that this book is being written to settle scores and will likely include a lot of detail about their time within the royal family. Based on the Oprah Winfrey interview, some of these ex-workers simply do not trust that a full and accurate picture will be presented. Conversations have already started about what steps they might be able to take to protect their own reputation and that of the monarchy post-publication.”

Yikes.

Harry’s Friends Might “Break Ranks”

Much like the royals, Harry’s friends from Eton and the Army are worried about the memoir, and one friend told the Daily Mail, “It feels very hypocritical given Harry chucked people out of his friendship group for talking to the press. There is a fear that he’s going to reveal details of his hedonistic youth, which some worry will play havoc with their careers and personal lives.”

A source also claimed that “if Harry slams any of his old school and military buddies in his new book, they have pledged to break ranks to tell their story.”

What Harry Has Actually Said About the Memoir

Here’s the thing: His comments have been completely lacking in drama, and judging from that, this memoir could be pretty relaxed. First up, here’s the official press release:

And Harry’s personal statement:

Pretty chill, right?

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