Major accusations from Prince Harry's memoir Spare have been leaked ahead of its publication on 10 January. The Guardian says it has seen a copy of the Duke's memoir and in one 'startling passage', Harry claims he was physically assaulted by his brother, Prince William. Kensington Palace have told the BBC that is 'has no comment to make'.
What is the latest news from Prince Harry's book?
Harry alleges that Prince William attacked him
According to The Guardian article, in the memoir Harry recounts an alleged incident in 2019 when Harry and William planned to meet to talk about their relationship and struggles with the press. Apparently, when William arrived at Harry's then home at Nottingham Cottage (in the grounds of Kensington Palace) William was already 'piping hot'. Harry says William complained about Meghan, calling her 'difficult', 'rude' and 'abrasive'. When Harry accused him of repeating the press narrative and said he expected better, he says William told him he was not being rational and the pair began shouting.
Exchanging insults, Harry claims that William says he was trying to help. 'Are you serious? Help me? Sorry – is that what you call this? Helping me?,' Harry said. That comment, Harry alleges, angered William who swore at his brother and stepped towards him. Harry, now scared, he writes that he retreated to the kitchen as William followed.
'Willy, I can’t speak to you when you’re like this,' Harry said, offering his brother a glass of water.
'He set down the water, called me another name, then came at me,' Harry claims. 'It all happened so fast. So very fast. He grabbed me by the collar, ripping my necklace, and he knocked me to the floor. I landed on the dog’s bowl, which cracked under my back, the pieces cutting into me. I lay there for a moment, dazed, then got to my feet and told him to get out.'
Harry then alleges that William urged him to hit back, and when he refused William left but returned a moment later 'looking regretful, and apologised.' When he went to leave for good, Harry claims that his brother turned back and said 'You don't need to tell Meg about this.'
‘"You mean that you attacked me?"' Harry says. '"I didn’t attack you, Harold."', William allegedly responded. While Harry didn't immediately tell Meghan, he did call his therapist. Meghan later noticed 'scrapes and bruises' on his back and so Harry told her of the alleged incident, writing that she 'wasn't that surprised, and wasn't all that angry. She was terribly sad.'
Harry also claims that William and Kate 'encouraged' him to wear the Nazi uniform in 2005
This next accusation is yet to be confirmed by British sources who have seen the book, but Page Six is reporting that their sources claim Harry also speaks of the 2005 incident in which he wore a Nazi costume to a halloween party, alleging that William and Kate encouraged him to wear it.
The US gossip site says that Prince Harry writes in Spare that the Prince and Princess of Wales 'howled with laughter' when they saw him in the outfit. He reportedly alleges that he had two outfits to choose from, a pilot and a Nazi uniform.
'I phoned Willy and Kate, asked what they thought. Nazi uniform, they said,' Page Six reports Harry claims, adding that when he went home and tried it on for them. 'They both howled. Worse than Willy’s leotard outfit! Way more ridiculous! Which, again, was the point.'
Harry said in a recent Netflix documentary that wearing the uniform was 'one of the biggest mistakes of my life.'
What are the reactions to Prince Harry's book?
Naturally, the passage from the book has set the internet alight. 'William attacked Harry' is a breakout search term on Google, with hashtags proving people are already taking sides. #PrinceWilliamIsABully is trending on Twitter, but so is #HarryIsALiar and #HarryIsATraitor.
Why is Prince Harry's book called Spare?
Prince Harry's book title Spare is reference to the first in line to the throne's responsibility to produce 'an heir and a spare' to continue the royal lineage after their death.
However it also has a deeper symbolic meaning. The phrase the 'heir and a spare' is believed to have been first coinedby American heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt in describing her two sons with her British aristocrat husband, whom she married in 1895. Since then it has been famously used to refer to a British monarch and their sibling —with Princess Margaret often described as Queen Elizabeth’s spare. It appears Prince Harry also felt the complexities of this label as he grew up alongside his brother, the heir Prince William. These 'spares' occupy a complex existence: they’re thrust into the spotlight from birth yet, unlike their eldest sibling, have no defined role.
As time passes their elder sibling has children and their importance and influence wane - along with their place in the line of succession. For example, Princess Margaret is said to have felt great anguish over her limited position and the public's growing interest in the younger royals like Princess Anne and the late Princess Diana. Her struggle and rebellion as a 'spare' was also depicted in Netflix's The Crown. While this label is known - it is not a word that you would ever expect to hear the royal family use officially.
What is Harry's book about?
The publishers write: 'It was 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. As Diana, Princess of Wales, was laid to rest, billions wondered what the princes must be thinking and feeling—and how their lives would play out from that point on.
'For Harry, this is that story at last.
'With its raw, unflinching honesty, Spare is a landmark publication full of insight, revelation, self-examination, and hard-won wisdom about the eternal power of love over grief.'
Previously, Penguin described the book as: 'In an intimate and heartfelt memoir from one of the most fascinating and influential global figures of our time, Prince Harry will share, for the very first time, the definitive account of the experiences, adventures, losses, and life lessons that have helped shape him.'
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 Harry will 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.' Presumably, it's that 'honest' part that may have the establishment spooked.
Prince Harry himself, The Duke of Sussex, has said, 'I’m writing this not as the prince I was born but as the man I have become. 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.'
What is Prince Harry being paid for the book?
Reports have claimed Prince Harry has already received around $20million for the book, but the new website today makes clear much of the proceeds of the book will go to charity.
'Prince Harry wishes to support British charities with donations from his proceeds from Spare,' it says. 'The Duke of Sussex has donated $1,500,000 to Sentebale, an organization he founded with Prince Seeiso in their mothers’ legacies, which supports vulnerable children and young people in Lesotho and Botswana affected by HIV/AIDS. Prince Harry will also donate to the non-profit organization WellChild in the amount of £300,000. WellChild, which he has been Royal patron of for fifteen years, makes it possible for children and young people with complex health needs to be cared for at home instead of hospital, wherever possible.'
Who is publishing Prince Harry's book?
The book will be published in 16 languages via Penguin Random House. According to [The Independent]{href='https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/royal-family/prince-harry-s-new-memoir-b2254211.html' }, Spare is just the first part in a $20 million four-book deal between Harry and Meghan. It is reported that Penguin Random House are potentially setting Meghan up for a tell-all of her own in the future...
Who wrote Prince Harry's book? Did a ghostwriter write Prince Harry's book?
Prince Harry's memoir is written by the Prince and famed ghost writer JR Moehringer. The 56-year old American novelist has also profiled characters as diverse as tennis ace Andre Agassi, Nike co-founder Phil Knight and bank robber Willie Sutton. The Pulitzer Prize-winner is also reportedly working with George Clooney on an adaptation of another of his books. It has been speculated that the choice of ghostwriter actually came through the Clooneys, close friends of both the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
When will Prince Harry's book be released to the public?
Prince Harry's book, Spare, will be officially released on Tuesday January 10 2023. Only one more week to go!
Can you preorder Prince Harry's book?
Yes, the book is already on most book sites and available to preorder now. You can preorder below.
