The Title of Prince Harry’s Memoir May Have a Double Meaning

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Prince Harry has, for a while now, been vocal with the public about the familial tensions that prompted his famous royal exit in 2020, notably beginning with his March 2021 bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey alongside his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Soon, he will also expand on the narrative in an upcoming tell-all memoir, which is anticipated to shake up the royal family's public image, perhaps irreversibly.

Per a July press release, Prince Harry's memoir will be a "definitive account of the experiences, adventures, losses, and life lessons that have helped shape him"—from his royal childhood and time in the military to the trauma of his mother's death and newfound joy in becoming a husband and father. And among the accounts throughout the book are reportedly never-before-revealed truth bombs about the British royal family, the details of which, according to multiple sources, will be juicy.

"There's a lot of new stories in there about the past that Harry has not spoken about before, about his childhood," a source told Page Six. "There is some content in there that should make his family nervous."

Ahead, see everything we know so far about Prince Harry's highly anticipated autobiographical tell-all.


When will the memoir be released?

The book’s new publication date has officially been set for January 10, 2023, according to New York Times. It will be released simultaneously in both print and digital formats.

The memoir was initially due for the fall of 2022, but its release date was pushed back by Prince Harry to later this year due to last-minute concerns regarding the propriety of certain material. According to The Sun, Harry has been working last-minute to edit certain sections and been worrying over the sensitivity of certain material, particularly in light of the recent death of Queen Elizabeth II.

The duke's drop date was further postponed following his late grandmother's death. At the time, royal author Tom Bower reported that the memoir would be slated for release by Easter of 2023.

What is the title?

On October 27, the Penguin Random House Global CEO Markus Doodle officially released the memoir’s gripping cover and title—Spare—presumably addressing both Prince Harry’s “spare” role as king, and being “spared” from the royal family.

What will the content more specifically entail?

The memoir has recently been edited with a new chapter dedicated to the late Queen Elizabeth II, alongside material about how he and Duchess Meghan "were snubbed," according to Bower.

Further details surrounding the specific material are still largely under wraps.

"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," a source told The Sun. "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."

How much will Prince Harry earn from the book deal?

According to Page Six, Prince Harry already received "at least $20 million upfront" from his publisher, Penguin Random House. That said, the entirety of the memoir's proceeds will allegedly go directly to charity, the outlet added.

How has Prince Harry's royal network taken the news?

Family members and old friends of Prince Harry are worried for the memoir's coming release. Bower told Page Six that the royal family has been "hugely nervous" about what's to be revealed in the memoir.

Meanwhile, old friends from Eton and the army have also expressed their concerns. One friend reportedly told the Daily Mail, "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."

What is Prince Harry's own take on the memoir?

Per the duke's own words, his intent and purpose behind publishing the memoir is to demonstrate his humanity.

"I'm writing this not as the prince I was born but as the man I have become," he said in a personal statement released in July. "I've worn many hats over the years, both literally and figuratively, and my hope is that in telling my story—the highs and lows, the mistakes, the lessons learned—I can help show that no matter where we come from, we have more in common than we think. I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity to share what I've learned over the course of my life so far and excited for people to read a firsthand account of my life that's accurate and wholly truthful."

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