Spare

Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex

Jan 2023 · Sold by Random House

About this ebook

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Discover the global phenomenon that tells an unforgettable story of love, loss, and healing.

“Compellingly artful . . . [a] blockbuster memoir.”—The New Yorker (Best Books of the Year)

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.

For Harry, this is that story at last.

Before losing his mother, twelve-year-old Prince Harry was known as the carefree one, the happy-go-lucky Spare to the more serious Heir. Grief changed everything. He struggled at school, struggled with anger, with loneliness—and, because he blamed the press for his mother’s death, he struggled to accept life in the spotlight.

At twenty-one, he joined the British Army. The discipline gave him structure, and two combat tours made him a hero at home. But he soon felt more lost than ever, suffering from post-traumatic stress and prone to crippling panic attacks. Above all, he couldn’t find true love. 

Then he met Meghan. The world was swept away by the couple’s cinematic romance and rejoiced in their fairy-tale wedding. But from the beginning, Harry and Meghan were preyed upon by the press, subjected to waves of abuse, racism, and lies. Watching his wife suffer, their safety and mental health at risk, Harry saw no other way to prevent the tragedy of history repeating itself but to flee his mother country. Over the centuries, leaving the Royal Family was an act few had dared. The last to try, in fact, had been his mother. . . .

For the first time, Prince Harry tells his own story, chronicling his journey with raw, unflinching honesty. A landmark publication, Spare is full of insight, revelation, self-examination, and hard-won wisdom about the eternal power of love over grief.

Ratings and reviews

Amazing, frank and deeply insightful memoir. Prince Harry, you are one of a kind. I'm so proud of you for breaking the chains of history which held you fast. Your mother is so proud of your courage and determination to change your future. She tried endlessly to shake up and change the status quo; you merely picked up where she left off. And great things are on the horizon for you and your lovely family. Be not weary in well doing. For your sacrifices shall be repaid to you an hundred fold. Never doubt the importance or impact your choices have on the present and the future. They were necessary to begin the healing process that will reach back... and forwards... for generations to come. I hope ten years from now to read the next segment in this fascinating view of your personal history. It's beena pleasure to get to know you a little better. Best wishes, SJ Atkinson 6-7-2023

I can't wait to go buy this! I really loved the sample and I think I am definitely hooked into this story. It is so crazy to be able to hear this awful experience, but told by one of Princess Diana's son's. The whole world was wondering what they were thinking and going through behind the scenes and unfortunately sometimes in front of the scenes as well. Now that Harry is an adult, husband, and now a happy and proud father of two. He has had time to go through the motions, live, learn, and grow up to be a Fantastic Husband, Father, and now you can add Author to that list of accomplishments/milestones to the list. What a Remarkable Man. I'd love to think of his mother somewhere, beaming with Pride. Harry had to be Brave, just like whom he referred to her as his, "Mummy!" ∆Like mother, like son.∆

A lot of people make money out of his existence and the rest of the royal family, sad reality. I find him brave to finally speak about his life in his own view. Some entitlement exists, and probably some other things like psychedelics are a bit problematic and I hope accountability exists (I hope he stopped using them, and let this book just be a record of the not so good ways he tried to cope with his issues), but overall, I enjoyed getting to know him more through his own view. He's a flawed human being just like the rest of us, living a life with extraordinary circumstances. Wherever he is and however life is like for Harry and Meghan and their families, I hope forgiveness abounds and reconciliation abounds. And sigh...Paps and dirty media are never good anywhere, for anyone.

About the author

Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, is a husband, father, humanitarian, military veteran, mental wellness advocate, and environmentalist. He resides in Santa Barbara, California, with his family and three dogs.