"Spare" memoir by the Duke of Sussex (2023)

[Imanmajed]

It's easy to be a bestseller when your book is half price. ...

I think it hasnt to do with half price but has mainly something to do with the fact that the book was announced a long time ago, Harry was already a well-known personality around the world before and that many people were simply curious about what he, as an insider, can report about life behind the palace walls. But that doesn't change the disappointing facts that Harry doesn't reflect enough and only presents himself as an innocent victim which he certainly is not.

 

[Denville]

I'd say what is startling about the book is How Harry reveals himself to be very different form his earlier public image. He was seen as a good hearted cheerful chap, who loved his job as a soldier, who enjoyed meeting people, liked a bit of fun, and was sincerely concernned for people, particularly wounded soldiers. Now he shows that he didnt like his family, didn't like his royal duties, found meeting people a strain, and worst of all was angry and violent in his private life. Its hard to see him as the champion of wounded vets when he tells us gleefully that as a boy he mocked a disabled woman and he is still laughing about it and jeering at her.

 

[Denville]

Harry reportedly was given a very high dollar advance for the book. I can't imagine that Harry and his agents did not understand that for an advance of that magnitude that he would need to forego being circumspect. So unless someone wants to allege that Harry is non compos mentis then he and his agents knew what was expected of him when they signed the book deal in 2021.

So why did he sign a deal that expected him to write nasty and mainly untrue things about his family? Was he so desperate for money?

 

[Queen Claude]

So why did he sign a deal that expected him to write nasty and mainly untrue things about his family? Was he so desperate for money?

Yes, and angry that the HIHO was not approved, angry and desperate that he would have to fund his security, and the opportunity to share his "truth".

 

[Lee-Z]

Well, if Harry's goal was to 'get his truth out' and being talked about (which he probably equals to 'being popular'), he got what he set out to do.

If you had told me up front that Harry's book would confirm all the negative stories that had appeared about him in 'the media' (and then some) as actually true, and that it would result in Diana being used in a somewhat mocking way in a comedy sketch on a major US tv network, i would never ever have believed you...
But here we are..

Wonder what the next venture of Harry and Meghan will be...where to go from here..

 

[Alison H]

I think some of it's about the money and some of it is just pure spite. He didn't get his own way, so he's hitting back by attacking his family.

 

[CyrilVladisla]

Harry reportedly was given a very high dollar advance for the book. I can't imagine that Harry and his agents did not understand that for an advance of that magnitude that he would need to forego being circumspect. So unless someone wants to allege that Harry is non compos mentis then he and his agents knew what was expected of him when they signed the book deal in 2021.

Please define non compos mentis.

 

[Imanmajed]

I think some of it's about the money and some of it is just pure spite. He didn't get his own way, so he's hitting back by attacking his family.

He actually has (had) everything that many others in the world can only dream of. On top of that, he was allowed to marry the woman he loves. Meghan was welcomed into the royal family. Both could have lived a sheltered family life with plenty of comforts. why they didn't appreciate this is beyond me.

 

[Imanmajed]

Please define non compos mentis.

Means something like unfit to plead or of unsound mind, mentally incompetent

 

[Curryong]

https://thewest.com.au/opinion/bell...-be-happy-why-do-we-hate-him-for-it-c-9465852

The West Australian.

‘Prince Harry’s Spare is an argument he deserves to be happy. Why do we hate him for it?‘

 

[Granada]

Curryong, yes we get that this explosive tell all is a giant best seller, but in actuality, so what ?

Is is uplifting ? Do readers think wow, how interesting and edifying, I'm glad I bought and read this. Did it enhance the reputation and credibility of the author-subject ? After all, it is Harry's own words and his recollections.

Or is it a salacious, petty and spiteful read ? Snide in its extreme, demeaning "lesser" Working People from disabled School Matrons to Staff that unfortunately have to protect The Clown Prince and get literally beaten up for it. By him.

Basically "Royal Gossip" and tawdry tales about the most famous family in the world, from ONE persons, Harry's perspective. Full of private conversations and intimate details that are, for some creepy and baffling in their "detail".

Does Harry (and Meghan) come off as a well rounded Man with empathy, dignity and the gravitas to be a player on the World Stage as a
Humanitarian and supposedly a champion of Mental Health issues ?
What about Invictus ? Will it be affected ?

No, the Book has revealed Harry to be a mean, spoiled, immature and bitter Man. Jealous of his brother William's rank and role in life and an from the revelations in the Book fixated on his Mother, that borders on unhealthy. So much so that he is being mocked and ridiculed publicly.

So while the Book is at the top, we should wait for the dust to settle to see how this all shakes out down the line for The Sussex's.

Sure, financially its great for them, but for their reputations and ability to be "Global Players" bridging the Corporate and Celebrity World thru their Archewell Foundation, I think it was a giant mistake. Giant.

Reminds me of the Bible quote, What does it profit a man if he is to gain the whole world, yet lose his own soul ?

Can't imagine what his OWN kids will think of their Father trashing and hurting his OWN Father and brother down the line. Because to me, Archie and Lili are victims in this too. But Harry only seems to think of himself, Meghan and of course "Mummy".

 

[FigTree]

Curryong, yes we get that this explosive tell all is a giant best seller, but in actuality, so what ?

Is is uplifting ? Do readers think wow, how interesting and edifying, I'm glad I bought and read this. Did it enhance the reputation and credibility of the author-subject ? After all, it is Harry's own words and his recollections.

Or is it a salacious, petty and spiteful read ? Snide in its extreme, demeaning "lesser" Working People from disabled School Matrons to Staff that unfortunately have to protect The Clown Prince and get literally beaten up for it. By him.

Basically "Royal Gossip" and tawdry tales about the most famous family in the world, from ONE persons, Harry's perspective. Full of private conversations and intimate details that are, for some creepy and baffling in their "detail".

Does Harry (and Meghan) come off as a well rounded Man with empathy, dignity and the gravitas to be a player on the World Stage as a
Humanitarian and supposedly a champion of Mental Health issues ?
What about Invictus ? Will it be affected ?

No, the Book has revealed Harry to be a mean, spoiled, immature and bitter Man. Jealous of his brother William's rank and role in life and an from the revelations in the Book fixated on his Mother, that borders on unhealthy. So much so that he is being mocked and ridiculed publicly.

So while the Book is at the top, we should wait for the dust to settle to see how this all shakes out down the line for The Sussex's.

Sure, financially its great for them, but for their reputations and ability to be "Global Players" bridging the Corporate and Celebrity World thru their Archewell Foundation, I think it was a giant mistake. Giant.

Reminds me of the Bible quote, What does it profit a man if he is to gain the whole world, yet lose his own soul ?

Can't imagine what his OWN kids will think of their Father trashing and hurting his OWN Father and brother down the line. Because to me, Archie and Lili are victims in this too. But Harry only seems to think of himself, Meghan and of course "Mummy".

Mummy has been gone an awful long time now. I flicked through the book. It’s very much paranoia on the media and even in parts People don’t sound real. I don’t really care anymore. The patheticness of going to find a printer. I mean did he really think he would get his way and we know now that it was the Queen herself who said no. He can’t bare anything to be the doing of the Queen. But Harry most things were. And even the stupid wreath on remembrance day. Why would they place one on behave of him. He had no official duties. It’s a suicide mission about the media and his family. He won’t win.

 

[XeniaCasaraghi]

Prince William is not the owner of a newspaper company. Neither is he a news reporter. Why would he want to take the time to give one minute of bad press to Prince Harry?

You would need to ask Harry that. William is his arch-nemesis in his head.

 

[Denville]

well it is obvious isn't it? Harry thinks or pretends to think that Will hates him and wants to put him down, to reduce him to the lowly spare, and he wants to show himself and Kate off, at H's expense.

 

[Royalist.in.NC]

https://thewest.com.au/opinion/bell...-be-happy-why-do-we-hate-him-for-it-c-9465852

The West Australian.

‘Prince Harry’s Spare is an argument he deserves to be happy. Why do we hate him for it?‘

An interesting article- thanks for sharing. Of course, like I would want for every other person on the planet, I would wish happiness for Harry. His oversharing will not make him happy, however, nor is it right to cut other people down while supposedly in pursuit of his own “happiness.” People who “hate him for it” are appalled by his actions towards his own family which appear to be motivated by revenge, pettiness, and the pursuit of money and fame instead of happiness.

He was born into incredible privilege. If he was so unhappy with his life, he had a myriad of options to make changes that would help him yet not hurt others. Yet he (and Meghan) wanted that HIHO option and come across as spoiled children throwing a tantrum because HLM said no. His willingness -still- to have a “Commonwealth role” on the table shows it is not the institution of the monarchy that is the issue (if he truly could not stand what the monarchy stands for would he have his monogram on his doormat or constantly and consistently flaunt his title?). IMO his issue is that since he didn’t get what he wanted, he is going to attempt to blackmail his family into giving it to him or attempt to destroy the institution if they won’t.

I have absolutely no respect for him nor his wife; the idea that they want to be global humanitarians is a joke. After all the media blitz about these two - started and continued by these two who could have lived “happily” without trashing Harry’s family - what organization could trust them to not turn on them as well if the couple didn’t get what they wanted? They have truly blown up their reputation and when their 15 minutes of fame finally ends (and it will at some point), what will they have gained besides money and notoriety?

If I were a member of his family, I would try to forgive him if I truly believed he was repentant, but would never trust him again. And Harry has the gall to think that Meghan deserves an apology?

 

[Lee-Z]

https://thewest.com.au/opinion/bell...-be-happy-why-do-we-hate-him-for-it-c-9465852

The West Australian.

‘Prince Harry’s Spare is an argument he deserves to be happy. Why do we hate him for it?‘

I don't think i hate Harry.. i kinda liked Harry before, bit of a rascal, bit of a fun young bloke, but the reason i'm on these forums is because i like the history and genealogy of royals (well, and the jewelry a bit ), and i'm disappointed that Harry isn't interested in any of it, not even in his living relatives.

Reason i still post in this thread is, that every time i think it's a mistake and Harry isn't as egotistical as it sounded at first, but i haven't seen any retractions, so i'll have to come to terms with Harry indeed being just a celeb.

 

[HighGoalHighDreams]

I'd say what is startling about the book is How Harry reveals himself to be very different form his earlier public image. He was seen as a good hearted cheerful chap, who loved his job as a soldier, who enjoyed meeting people, liked a bit of fun, and was sincerely concernned for people, particularly wounded soldiers. Now he shows that he didnt like his family, didn't like his royal duties, found meeting people a strain, and worst of all was angry and violent in his private life. Its hard to see him as the champion of wounded vets when he tells us gleefully that as a boy he mocked a disabled woman and he is still laughing about it and jeering at her.

The is the best summary of the book I've seen.

There wasn't a single revelation in the book that was groundbreaking by itself. The big reveal here is that the carefully crafted Harry was a facade.

 

[Royalist.in.NC]

The is the best summary of the book I've seen.

There wasn't a single revelation in the book that was groundbreaking by itself. The big reveal here is that the carefully crafted Harry was a facade.

Yes, as someone has said, the palace PR team outdid themselves on carefully curating an image that he has blown to bits and they (PR team) deserve an award for how successful they were in making us believe that image.

 

[Alison H]

https://thewest.com.au/opinion/bell...-be-happy-why-do-we-hate-him-for-it-c-9465852

The West Australian.

‘Prince Harry’s Spare is an argument he deserves to be happy. Why do we hate him for it?‘

Then his idea of being happy is to slag off his family and their employees. What sort of world would it be if everyone did that?

 

[kimebear]

If the book was written in the third person and you didn't know who the author was, it would read like a scathing attack on Harry himself. I'm fairly sure that's not the reaction that Harry and Meghan were hoping for.

 

[Denville]

An interesting article- thanks for sharing. Of course, like I would want for every other person on the planet, I would wish happiness for Harry. His oversharing will not make him happy, however, nor is it right to cut other people down while supposedly in pursuit of his own “happiness.” People who “hate him for it” are appalled by his actions towards his own family which appear to be motivated by revenge, pettiness, and the pursuit of money and fame instead of happiness.

He was born into incredible privilege. If he was so unhappy with his life, he had a myriad of options to make changes that would help him yet not hurt others. Yet he (and Meghan) wanted that HIHO option and come across as spoiled children throwing a tantrum because HLM said no. His willingness -still- to have a “Commonwealth role” on the table shows it is not the institution of the monarchy that is the issue (if he truly could not stand what the monarchy stands for would he have his monogram on his doormat or constantly and consistently flaunt his title?). IMO his issue is that since he didn’t get what he wanted, he is going to attempt to blackmail his family into giving it to him or attempt to destroy the institution if they won’t.

I have absolutely no respect for him nor his wife; the idea that they want to be global humanitarians is a joke. After all the media blitz about these two - started and continued by these two who could have lived “happily” without trashing Harry’s family - what organization could trust them to not turn on them as well if the couple didn’t get what they wanted? They have truly blown up their reputation and when their 15 minutes of fame finally ends (and it will at some point), what will they have gained besides money and notoriety?

If I were a member of his family, I would try to forgive him if I truly believed he was repentant, but would never trust him again. And Harry has the gall to think that Meghan deserves an apology?

Why would anyone CARE if Harry is happy or not? Did he care that he was upsetting his very old grandma by calling her family racists? or that he was trashing his family when his grandpa was dying? Did he wnat to make his matron happy by making fun of her clumsy walking and her lack of Beauty?

 

[Denville]

The is the best summary of the book I've seen.

There wasn't a single revelation in the book that was groundbreaking by itself. The big reveal here is that the carefully crafted Harry was a facade.

I think it is groundbreaking. We know that the RF are not angels and that their image is partly crafted to make them seem attractive. we know they have their faults and deserve criticisms at times But surely none of the RF have shown such a gap between image and reality as Harry has?
I thought that he genuinely enjoyed being a soldier but he seems to have come out of combat with a lot of weird ideas, and criticised te senior brass, and talked far too heartlessly about the people he killed.
I thought that he genuinely liked people, probably more than William did, in some ways, and he liked to mix with them, work at projects for them and so on but he himself said that he disliked it all and felt that he was worked far too hard..
and I thought he genuinely cared for wounded vets, but his attack on his matron makes it rather hard to believe that. I hope he has SOME sincere feelng for them, but how much sympathy did he show to this lady who had trouble walking? absolutely none, it seems so can we be sure that he cares much for the men and women he claims to be helping in Invictus

 

[Ghost]

I never bought into the crafted persona for Harry. There were so so many signs that I was disliking him since before splitting with Chelsy. I DID have hope that he was able and going to mature, but was disappointed every time. I was startled by his comment about being good at shooting because playstation/videogames. I was disgusted he went skiing in Azerbaidjan (?) with Cressida at the expense and on the jet of an oligarch. And so on. Maybe the palace pr did their best, but that was the best result humanly possible.

 

[Granada]

Royalist.in.NC, I love what you wrote.....Harry "had a myriad of options to make changes that WOULD HELP HIM AND YET NOT HURT OTHERS".
I absolutely love this. And I think it hits the nail on the head.
Hurting others seems to be his mantra now. Family, Courtiers, Media Reporters. The accusations and insults he throws at them by name now, is astounding.

Why, why is Harry so hateful and brutal towards his Father and Brother ? Especially William. It is quite unbelievable the degree and lengths that Harry goes to, to demean them and by extension "The Institution" they both will lead.

Oh, and their wives too. I get Camilla, in his VERY immature and perpetually angry mind, he blames her for the breakup of his parents marriage, AND in his mind that led to Diana's death. Deep seated anger issues there. Almost scary, I wouldn't want her to be alone in a room with him for sure.

But Kate ? It seems to me his mind was poisoned against her. I've watched their interactions for the past 15 years or so, there *seemed* to have been a real nice -warm bond between Kate and Harry, relaxed and comfortable. Doesn't seem phony or forced. Unless he is a better actor than his wife.

So yes, I blame Meghan for that now deep rift. Along with the William and Charles one.

I think She is and was a toxic influence on him. Just bad all around. I get that Harry's "image" was a giant facade. But he certainly was functioning within the Family and The Institution. Lauded for his Invictus Games Initiative, ( that some else probably dreamt up and others DID THE HARD WORK FOR THERE) maintaining relationships with all, and by all accounts the *most* popular Royal, after The Queen.

Now, he has severed ALL contact with former friends that grew up with him. His cousins too (except Eugenie) who also were in that media fishbowl, especially the Yorks.....look at the unrelenting negative Press they got !!!

I think Harry is a very disturbed Man. Spare just proves that.
Egged on by his Wife and both giving free rein to their more destructive personality flaws. I just wish they had never met each other. He needed a calmer quiet person. Not something chasing the limelight.

I don't think this will end well for Harry at all. Too angry and too impulsive. With something to prove to the World too.
Hope I'm wrong.

 

[Royalist.in.NC]

I think it is groundbreaking. We know that the RF are not angels and that their image is partly crafted to make them seem attractive. we know they have their faults and deserve criticisms at times But surely none of the RF have shown such a gap between image and reality as Harry has?
I thought that he genuinely enjoyed being a soldier but he seems to have come out of combat with a lot of weird ideas, and criticised te senior brass, and talked far too heartlessly about the people he killed.
I thought that he genuinely liked people, probably more than William did, in some ways, and he liked to mix with them, work at projects for them and so on but he himself said that he disliked it all and felt that he was worked far too hard..
and I thought he genuinely cared for wounded vets, but his attack on his matron makes it rather hard to believe that. I hope he has SOME sincere feelng for them, but how much sympathy did he show to this lady who had trouble walking? absolutely none, it seems so can we be sure that he cares much for the men and women he claims to be helping in Invictus

I have wondered how all these revelations with Harry making fun of the disabled matron is going to play with his role in Invictus. And if I were running BetterUp, I’d get him off my leadership team with his obvious need for help for his own mental health.

I’ve not heard much of anything about the Netflix leadership series they “hosted” called Live to Lead. I just looked it up -17% rating on Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/live_to_lead/s01. I know that their series about themselves did well for Netflix but I am wondering about their future as “content creators “ - I just don’t see it.

 

[Denville]

To be honest, I think the kindest thing one can say about H is that he IS very unstable.. and in the past few years has gone from unstable into complete melt down territory.

But the instability was well hidden, for a time. He did come across as charming enough if he was seen in small doses, perhaps this was like his mother though in fairness to Diana I dont think she had SUCH a dark side... Then again there were her storms of temper against family members at times.
I did not follow him much when he was younger, so I can't speak about him and Kate but I do remember that he said when Will got engaged that he was looking forward to getting to know Kate, which seemed to indicate that he was not as close to his brother as the press had tended to imply...so perhaps he didn't know K all that well either and hardly spent time with her till she married Willm. I think that he resented William having a close relationship with Kate from early on, while he himself had girlfriends but did not seem to have anyone who would take him on and marry him.

 

[Royalist.in.NC]

Royalist.in.NC, I love what you wrote.....Harry "had a myriad of options to make changes that WOULD HELP HIM AND YET NOT HURT OTHERS".
I absolutely love this. And I think it hits the nail on the head.
Hurting others seems to be his mantra now. Family, Courtiers, Media Reporters. The accusations and insults he throws at them by name now, is astounding.

Why, why is Harry so hateful and brutal towards his Father and Brother ? Especially William. It is quite unbelievable the degree and lengths that Harry goes to, to demean them and by extension "The Institution" they both will lead.

Oh, and their wives too. I get Camilla, in his VERY immature and perpetually angry mind, he blames her for the breakup of his parents marriage, AND in his mind that led to Diana's death. Deep seated anger issues there. Almost scary, I wouldn't want her to be alone in a room with him for sure.

But Kate ? It seems to me his mind was poisoned against her. I've watched their interactions for the past 15 years or so, there *seemed* to have been a real nice -warm bond between Kate and Harry, relaxed and comfortable. Doesn't seem phony or forced. Unless he is a better actor than his wife.

So yes, I blame Meghan for that now deep rift. Along with the William and Charles one.

I think She is and was a toxic influence on him. Just bad all around. I get that Harry's "image" was a giant facade. But he certainly was functioning within the Family and The Institution. Lauded for his Invictus Games Initiative, ( that some else probably dreamt up and others DID THE HARD WORK FOR THERE) maintaining relationships with all, and by all accounts the *most* popular Royal, after The Queen.

Now, he has severed ALL contact with former friends that grew up with him. His cousins too (except Eugenie) who also were in that media fishbowl, especially the Yorks.....look at the unrelenting negative Press they got !!!

I think Harry is a very disturbed Man. Spare just proves that.
Egged on by his Wife and both giving free rein to their more destructive personality flaws. I just wish they had never met each other. He needed a calmer quiet person. Not something chasing the limelight.

I don't think this will end well for Harry at all. Too angry and too impulsive. With something to prove to the World too.
Hope I'm wrong.

Thanks for the compliment, Granada! I enjoy your posts too

I also agree that Harry would have had to have been a great actor all those years when we saw picture after picture of him looking genuinely happy particularly when he was with Kate. As Harry said in the Oprah interview “I was trapped, but I had no idea I was trapped.” And we all know who told him he was trapped…..

 

[Granada]

Denville, that's exactly how I feel. And if we here can sense or feel that, I can only imagine what Charles and William must be thinking.

I keep remembering he wrote these passages in Spare with no expectation that the Queen would be gone too.
I just hope Meghan loves him enough to help him or get him the help he needs. But I'm fearful She can't or won't.

I've never bought into their self described over the top magical love story Disney Fairytale either. Its turning more into a Brothers Grimm Fairytale to me.

 

[Denville]

I dont think that it is all on Meghan. I think that Harry has had all these angry resentful feelings for a long time... and its just that now they are coming out. A normal man would hardly remember back to when he got one less sausage than his brother, as a kid...And I doubt if William, even in his young wild drinking days, attacked his security guards.

 

[Denville]

Denville, that's exactly how I feel. And if we here can sense or feel that, I can only imagine what Charles and William must be thinking.

.

If they knew that Harry was always rather shaky mentally, (and since this book I am wondering if he was like this since childhood?) I wonder if they worried a lot about letting him go to the US and start off life there? DID they fear that he would become even more unstable in a strange environment, without staff to keep an eye on him, and with a wife who certainly did not encourage his better side? I suppose they felt there was nothing much they could do...If he was determined to make money outside the RF, he was a grown man and if he wasn't visibly acting strangely or harming himself there was nothing much they couild do.