Plot:

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.

Review:

Funny at times, a lot of emotions from the author.

Did the royals ask for Meghan to give up her acting and her socials? This wasn’t mentioned. He’s stating what Meghan did but not whether or not if they actually stated it.
Another note, Harry said his thoughts of his dad being jealous – not an actual fact. How his dad didn’t want to see someone else coming into the family and taking over.

As a business of royalty I presume the dad wanted to ensure whoever is entering the monarchy is vetted and equipped to handle their new role within the business that is why he didn’t want either of his sons to rush into marriage.

Up until this point in the book Harry seemed decent for a normal guy. However he seems to be displaying petty thoughts once Meghan has entered the picture. If you read this you will see his personality begin to change once he has met her.

You do not have a life with someone you just met and went “OMG LOOK AT HER I NEED TO HAVE HER AND FOLLOW EVERYTHING SHE SAYS” because that is how he portrays it in this novel – FROM MY PERSPECTIVE FYI!

As I begin to reflect upon this read, I notice a common theme of blame; basically Harry is saying poor me constantly how everything needs to be about him. At first, I could see where he is coming from but after a while and then this chapter (C35) about the Meghan thing, COME ON!

First he demands respect. Well, how are you to get respect if you constantly keep doing drugs and other things for them to see? Yes, the Press can be harassing which I appreciate the writing on this however, with the title as you said you have all this extra stuff to be conscious of. Which Harry does mention however he seems to keep getting himself in it. A little Practice What You Preach would be needed from him.

Until the Meghan chapters I thought he was decent, just a little too much “Give me some attention”. But he should be commended for the things he did in the army and having the courage as no one forced him to do this and he did it with good intentions, that I will still give him.
I feel like from the writing, he desperately just reached a point where he wanted a family. He wanted to join his brother and be apart of that new stage in life with them and kept trying to make a move on it so the first appropriate girl to him appeared and he was infatuated by her looks. You don’t marry because you think she’s hot and letting that take over your life even more so just because you want a family. In his case he should have married appropriately. Would have been a LOT less hassle and wars between his family.

Overall, there are moments when your heart does break for Harry, such as when he was a boy and convinced his mother had not been killed. His overwhelming love and respect for his grandparents.
I do feel bits of this novel was taken out of context by the public.

Harry has chosen to protect his own family which was the main thing he wanted. It is clear to see in my opinion form this why he had to step down from his role within the Royals to protect his own family and wellbeing.

4/5 Stars