Prince Harry's memoir promises 'raw, unflinching honesty' about many aspects of his life so far - from his time in Afghanistan to his late mother Diana - and more 'truth bombs' for the royal family.
The Duke of Sussex's book, titled Spare, is set to be published on January 10 - just four months after the death of the Queen on September 8.
Publisher Penguin Random House says Harry's book is expected to contain explosive new material addressing the duke's childhood and his rift with 'The Firm' after meeting Meghan.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline: 'It is not a question as to whether Harry has a right to release his memoir, it is whether it is helpful to the Royal Family which he is part of and also, surely, whether it will benefit the Sussexes in their desire for a philanthropic image.
'Since they derive their work from being royals, shouldn't they be supportive? If there has been no rewriting after the Queen's death, perhaps there should have been.
'Why write a "raw" and "unflinchingly honest" memoir now, so early in his father's reign, if not for commercial gain?'
The book is expected to have explosive new material addressing Harry's childhood and his rift with 'The Firm' after meeting Meghan
The concept of 'the heir and the spare' has been observed by the Royal Family for centuries, as a tradition which ensures the royal bloodline is able to continue. An unusual position to hold, the role serves as a 'reserve' monarch, who must be prepared to become heir to the throne at a moment's notice if necessary - at least until the current heir produces their own children.
Heather Cocks, author of The Heir Affair, told Vanity Fair last year: 'With an heir and spare dynamic, you get one child who’s born for the top job and the second who probably grows up feeling like the understudy.'
The boldness of Harry's 'provocative' decision to call his memoir 'Spare' sets out he is 'anything but' second to Prince William- and the royal wants his 'unpolished' cover to show he's 'been through a lot', a brand expert has claimed.
The eye-catching title is a nod to Harry's nickname as a 'spare' prince - in contrast to his brother Prince William - the 'heir'.
The Spanish language version is even more pointed, having been given the subtitle En La Sombra, or 'in the shade'.
Culture and brand expert Nick Ede told FEMAIL: 'The choice of the title Spare is not only provocative but also lends into Harry’s sense of humour too.
'Although it is a bold choice, it’s a brave one and it sets out immediately that this book will be anything but showing that Prince Harry is a spare.'
He added: 'The use of the singular title is one of empowerment and strength.
The memoir is said to be 'tough on William' and includes a description of a fight between the pair, as well as 'a broadside' against Kate.
A source said: 'Things are hanging by a thread as it is after the past few months, and from the sounds of it Harry's memoir is unlikely to help.'
Insiders fear the strained relationship between the brothers is likely to be further damaged by attacks on Prince William and his wife Kate in the controversial book. Pictured: Prince William and Prince Harry walk beside each other after viewing the floral tributes for the late Queen Elizabeth II outside Windsor Castle on September 10.
A source with knowledge of the book told The Sunday Times they believed it would cause irrevocable damage to the brothers' relationship.
More photos below.
Comments
Post a Comment