Prince Harry.Photo: Samir Hussein/WireImage
Prince Harry’s forthcoming memoir promises to be an “intimate” and “heartfelt” look into the “experiences, adventures, losses, and life lessons that have helped shape him.”
In July 2021, Penguin Random House announced that the Duke of Sussex was putting his life story — which will cover his childhood in the public eye and his military duty in Afghanistan to becoming a husband toMeghan Markleand father to sonArchie, 3, and daughterLilibet, 1 — into a book.
He continued, “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.”
When isPrince Harry’s book coming out?
Penguin Random House initially announced that Harry’s memoir would be released in late 2022. In October 2022, however, the publishershared the official release date: January 10, 2023.
The book jacket of Prince Harry’s memoir ‘Spare’.PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE
What isPrince Harry’s memoir called?
Penguin Random House’s October 2022 announcement also included the title and cover photo of the book. It’stitledSpare, a nod to Prince Harry’s former position within the royal family. As the second-born son of then-Prince CharlesandPrincess Diana, he was often referred to as the spare to the heirPrince William, his older brother. (Currently, the Duke of Sussex is fifth in the line of succession, following Prince William’s three children.)
The publisher went on to note thatSparetakes “readers immediately back to one of the most searing images of the twentieth century: two young boys, two princes, walking behind their mother’s coffin as the world watched in sorrow—and horror.”
“AsDiana, Princess of Waleswas laid to rest, billions wondered what the princes must be thinking and feeling — and how their lives would play out from that point on,” Penguin Random House said.
How much money willPrince Harrymake from his memoir?
Proceeds from the book and audiobook are expected to be donated to charity.
“This is one of several donations I plan to make to charitable organizations, and I’m grateful to be able to give back in this way for the children and communities who gravely need it,” he said in a statement.
According to the official website forSpare,Prince Harrywill also give £300,000 to WellChild. He has been a patron of the organization that works to support seriously ill children and their families since 2007, and Meghan joined him at the annual awards in2018and2019.
Prince Harry.Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty
Did the royal family know aboutPrince Harry’s book?
While Prince Harry did not have to ask his grandmotherQueen Elizabethfor permission to write his memoir, he did give the royal family a heads-up.
Harry spoke privately with the royal family regarding the book’s publication, a spokesperson told PEOPLE last year. The spokesperson added that Harry would not be expected to obtain permission from Buckingham Palace for the project.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment, telling PEOPLE at the time: “Any clarification about the book would be a question for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.”
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attending the Service of Thanksgiving for the Queen’s Jubilee on June 3.Samir Hussein/WireImage
How willPrince Harrypromote the book?
In an interview withAnderson Cooperfor60 Minutes, Harry expanded on allegations of “leakings” in the media and how negative stories have affected him and Meghan. He also told Cooper why he’s addressing these matters publicly.
“Every single time I tried to do it privately, there have been briefings and leakings and planting of stories against me and my wife,“Prince Harrysaid. “You know, the family motto is ‘never complain, never explain’ … it’s just a motto and it doesn’t really … hold.”
Have other royals written memoirs?
Prince Harry isn’t the first member of the royal family to share his story. Edward, Duke of Windsor — who wasQueen Elizabeth’s uncle and had been coronated King Edward VIII before abdicating the throne in 1936 so he could marry American Wallis Simpson —produced a ghost-written biographytitledA King’s Story: The Memoirs of the Duke of Windsorin 1951.
The memoir recalled his royal upbringing and schooling, leading up to falling in love with the American divorcée and ultimately giving up the position as monarch.
Edward, Duke of Windsor.Erika Stone/Getty Images
What willPrince Harrywrite about in the book?
Harry promised a “firsthand account of my life that’s accurate and wholly truthful.” According to his publishers, the book will cover his lifetime in the public eye from childhood to the present day, including his dedication to service, the military duty that twice took him to the frontlines of Afghanistan and the joy he has found in being a husband and father.
“Prince Harrywill offer an honest and captivating personal portrait, one that shows readers that behind everything they think they know lies an inspiring, courageous, and uplifting human story,” Penguin Random House said in a statement about the memoir, which is being touted as “the definitive account” of the Duke of Sussex’s life.
“Prince Harryhas harnessed his extraordinary life experience as a prince, a soldier, and a knowledgeable advocate for social issues, establishing himself as a global leader recognized for his courage and openness. It is for that reason we’re excited to publish his honest and moving story,” Markus Dohle, CEO of Penguin Random House, said.
Prince Harryand Meghan relocated their family to the Duchess of Sussex’s home state of California in 2020 after stepping back from their roles as working royals. Since then, there have been tensions between the couple and members of the royal family. Meghan andPrince Harryspoke about these issues during aMarch 2021 interviewwithOprah Winfrey, where they revealed there were"concerns and conversations” about what Archie’s skin color would bebefore he was born as well as claims that Meghan didn’t receive the mental health help she needed when she was feeling suicidal. In the same interview, Harry said that fatherPrince Charleshad “stopped taking my calls.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.Michael M. Santiago/Getty
However, the couple noticeably didn’t publicly cross paths with any of the senior royals, including Harry’s father,Prince Charles, and brother,Prince William. (Prince Charleslater announced that he had a"very emotional” first meetingwith his granddaughter, Lilibet, during the trip.)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were in Europe for a series of events with longstanding charities whenQueen Elizabethdied on Sept. 8, 2022. They remained in the U.K. to attend services to honor Harry’s grandmother, including her state funeral and committal service on Sept. 19 before returning home to California.
In December 2022, the couple’s docuseriesHarry & Meghanwas released on Netflix. The show touched on their tensions withPrince Harry’s family, includinginside the Sandringham Summitshortly after they announced their decision to step back as working royals.
Harry said, “It was terrifying to have my brother scream and shout at me, and my father say things that simply weren’t true and my grandmother quietly sit there and sort of take it all in.”
source: people.com
