Spare: by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex

Product Information

James Crawford-Smith is a Newsweek Royal Reporter, based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on the British royal family and royal fashion. He has covered contemporary and historic issues facing King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, the late Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana. James joined Newsweek in 2022 having previously contributed to titles such as The Lady, Majesty Magazine and Drapers. He also spent a number of years working with the curatorial department at Historic Royal Palaces, based at Kensington Palace, and contributed to the exhibitions Fashion Rules: Restyled (2016) and Diana: Her Fashion Story (2017). He also undertook private research projects with the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection. He is a graduate of University College London and Central Saint Martins, where he studied fashion history. Languages: English. Another insight into their relationship saw Harry illustrate that his and William's relationship was never as close as the media portrayed, with William telling Harry to pretend they didn't know each other while at school. Their relationship is so distant that Harry & Will go on tour or engagement in Lesotho together after Will has become engaged privately to Kate. Will never even mentioned it to Harry. Harry finds out when it's published in the papers with the rest of the world. He lets himself off the hook for his Pakistani slur because he grew up sheltered and his one Pakistani friend forgave him. And to remove any notions of bias, as a pro royalist. I am not a Royalist or in favour of keeping a large royal family. Some maybe because of the charity work they do and the causes they champion like William's 'Earthshot' programme, which is the stuff we really should be focused on. I also have issues with the lives of some of the RF but I am not here to comment on those. I am here to respond to Harry's book, his one-sided oxymoronic self indulgent story and his unverified allegations.

Have you ever tried to warn a family member against their choice? It is not easy but what does a loving sibling do when you have deep concerns? You do what William did - voice your reservations, but unfortunately, this seems to be what sits behind much of this sorry affair. Harry doesn’t want to hear or accept it. From what Harry has shared it would appear these conversations did not go well, and neither son comes out blameless, particularly the one when William allegedly grips Harry’s shirt. A lesson I hope all will learn from. Time will tell who was right though. The ludicrous disagreements between Kate & Meghan are very high school mean girl- esque. I don't understand why Kate can't speak up if she's upset about the hormone cooment? It's weird on multiple levels to call a meeting and demand an apology months later. Just weird. Despite this missed opportunity to reflect, my main issue with the book is one of length and overarching message. It’s ghost-written very well, in such a way that style or flair is sacrificed for ease of consumption.

Customer Reviews

The second part is about how proud he was to be an important part of the British Army. He finally felt like he was able to contribute toward helping his country and soldiers. Yes hes a Prince but hes a human too he makes mistakes just like us all and in this book he tells us of them. There also some interesting (sometimes funny) stories about love, loss, life, duties, family, time served and mental health. I wish Harry & Meghan and their little family the best. Meghan's the best thing that ever happened to Harry. They're a great couple and a happy family. Wills struggles to control his temper in much of this narrative. He's petty, mean, bullying and fragile as spun glass.

Even their suffering is written as a misfortune to Harry. The detail of what those women have lost, what cost they have paid, and their (potentially? the book is unclear) continued harassment is lost to the reader, as it simply has not been included beyond what serves the author. In a truly engaging narrative, Harry takes us chronologically through some frank admissions, through key developments of his growth and maturity, and the angs of being a perpetual shadow to his brother in a cold, emotionless environment, devoid of hugs and love. This is a story without apologies or fear, told in a way that makes the book difficult to put down once you start it, because it gives the incredible feeling of knowing the person without knowing him at all, as he gradually rev eals himself. It's nothing like the negative hype in the press. I believe utterly that this is Harry's view of what happened. I believe just as fully both his brother & father would have many corrections to this narrative. The language volleys between eloquent and juvenile. Referring to his penis multiple times (euphemistically), this book can at times be reminiscent of a love scene from 50 Shades of Grey (see: "holy cow!") in its immaturity, but then, immaturity radiates the majority of this book.This was a disappointing read that left me feeling decidedly worse about the toxicity of the royal family and bleak about any hopes of improvement. It might be worth a read for someone interested in the 'drama' of the royals, but anyone hoping for a decent piece of writing should look elsewhere. That weird story in the press about Harry inheriting his mom's engagement ring and Wills having to ask for it to pop the question to Kate are all lies. Even my father reminds me that unfortunately Willy and I can’t be normal…in which normal events were treated as abnormal, and the abnormal was routinely normalized.” British media are ruthless, cunning, and incredibly heartless, focused on headlines and money. No one could or should have to live with the frequent almost daily vitriol that is spewed at and about him, Meghan, and their family.

After reading this book, I feel like I know Prince Harry inside and out from some of his deep inner thoughts and his perspectives on life. Next to Harry, Prince Andrew gets the kindest treatment of the royals, being referred to only as "embarrassing"(he sounds more upset about Kate asking Meg to apologize for the baby brain comment). I didn't expect something earthshattering, particularly given his friendship with Eugenie, but I think Andrew's actions merit a bit of a harsher adjective than "embarrassing" 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 Princess Diana was laid to rest, billions wondered what Prince William and Prince Harry must be thinking and feeling—and how their lives would play out from that point on. The familial dysfunction that Harry writes about is something many can relate to. And, often it takes self-work and therapy to improve how you show up in relationships and the boundaries you are able to set as a result. He literally peed his pants in the hours before their first date’: the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Photograph: WPA/Getty ImagesAs everyone knows Harry lost his mother when he was young. Yet so did his brother William. It is quite clear throughout Harry's storytelling that William cares about him a great deal and is worried about him and wanting to get him help. William can obviously see he is going the same way as his mother did (paranoid).

Harry seeks compassion and understanding from everyone, but did he (or will he) show any to the people whose lives he destroyed? Of course not; they are, after all, just "bad people" doing "bad things". He says the otherization of Muslims was part of military education. While without a doubt true, this is also another convenient way to downplay personal responsibility.

Creative Play

The British press left Meghan sobbing and suicidal (she's always sobbing). Harry stated 'I'll get you help but first I need to go to this function this evening but you stay here'. 'No' cried Meghan 'I'll go with you'. There is then no further mention of her suicidal tendencies or no mention of getting her help. Harry himself though has a Therapist and turns to her a lot. At the end of the book he thanks a whole host of Therapists, so not sure why he didn't get one of them to help Meghan?! There's something in it for every reader, no matter who they are. I would read 10 books by Harry. He's a natural storyteller, trying to find his own way and truths underneath the different layers of pain. This should be prescribed reading!