Prince Harry's candid memoir, aptly titled SPARE, is a best-selling book and people all around the world are enjoying the 38-year-old's life story, and more so since his various TV appearances - even drinking shots on live TV! Plus, fans were keen to read the book and after watching Harry and Meghan's recent Netflix documentary.
Interestingly, it turned the royal into a best-selling author before it was even released - his highly-anticipated book soared to the top of the book charts on pre-orders alone.
Accidental sales in Spain meant that extracts from Spare were leaked ahead of the release date, with plenty of explosive revelations being shared.
Keep reading for everything you need to know about the memoir - plus find out how to get a free download.
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The emotionally powerful story is a must-read for those desperate to know what life was really like for Prince Harry growing up within the royal household. The book focuses on his remarkably moving personal journey from trauma to healing, and one that speaks to the power of love as shares details about meeting his future wife, Meghan Markle.
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SPARE by Prince Harry, £14 / $36, Amazon
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What is Prince Harry's book about?
The press release about the book read: "SPARE takes readers immediately back to 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 his story at last.
MORE: 10 biggest-selling royal books of all time: Prince Harry to Princess Diana, Queen Elizabeth & more
"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."
Prince Harry at his mother's funeral alongside his brother and his father, King Charles
When was Prince Harry's book released?
The on-sale date was January 10, 2023.
Spare reviews: What's the verdict?
One Amazon reader wrote: "I’ve never read anything so heart-breaking in my entire life. There have been constant rumblings in the media saying what is written is lies, however I will say that Harry comes across as very believable and while I keep a reasonable amount of scepticism and cynicism I also know between the stories in the tabloids and this book which one I think is the more genuine."
Another said: "I started this book with my own opinions, and when I finished this book, I was surprised - surprised to find myself empathising with almost every major player. Even the ones I had demonised in my own minds eye. I found myself empathising with what it must feel like to be 'owned' by an institution - owned by the public."
Another wrote: "I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book. I haven’t read a “royal biography” before. I’m not monarchist, but neither do I feel any antagonism towards the royals as individuals. However, I did enjoy this book. In fact I couldn’t put it down. It is extremely readable."
How many copies of Spare have been sold?
The record-breaking memoir became the fastest selling non-fiction book ever, selling over 1.4 million copies on its day of release across the UK, US, and Canada.
What does Prince Harry's book reveal?
Prince Harry's Spare memoir covers the Duke's "personal journey from trauma to healing". There are chapters about his childhood, his time in the military and serving in Afghanistan, and his life as a husband and father.
Have any extracts leaked from Prince Harry’s book?
What are the biggest talking points in Prince Harry's book?
Where do we start?! Prince Harry writes in the book that Prince William physically attacked him during an argument at Harry’s home in 2019, leaving the Duke with injuries to his back.
"William called me another name, then came at me. It all happened so fast. So very fast. He grabbed me by the collar, ripping my necklace, and he knocked me to the floor."
The Guardian claims a leaked extract from the book details William physically attacked his brother during an argument
Another bombshell moment revealed that Prince William and Princess Kate "howled" over Prince Harry's Nazi uniform, which he wore to a costume party in 2005. Harry refers to it as, "one of the biggest mistakes" of his life.
"I phoned Willy and Kate, asked what they thought. Nazi uniform, they said," Harry writes. He added that when he tried it on for them, "They both howled. Worse than Willy's leotard outfit! Way more ridiculous! Which, again, was the point."
Harry also speaks about meeting with William and King Charles at Prince Philip’s funeral in April 2021. According to the memoir, Charles stood between his sons "looking up at our flushed faces" and Harry quotes him as saying: "Please, boys. Don’t make my final years a misery."
There's also a story about his frostbitten penis.
Has King Charles read Prince Harry's memoir?
It's not known whether Prince Harry gave his family a preview copy of Spare, but we doubt it. In a conversation with ITV's Tom Bradby, he said he didn't think his dad would read the book.
The royals have been out since the book's release, and King Charles maintained a dignified silence while on a trip to Aberdeenshire when he was asked if he was 'hurt by the comments' in Prince Harry's memoir. He did not acknowledge the question.
Prince William also ignored a reporter who asked if he had a chance to read Harry's autobiography Spare during his first royal engagement since the release of the book.
Who's the narrator of the audio book for Prince Harry's memoir?
Prince Harry narrated SPARE himself. If there's one book to kickstart your audible membership with, it'll be this one, since audible members can download it free. It's always fascinating to hear the author of their own memoir discuss their life in detail.
DOWNLOAD THE AUDIBLE VERSION OF SPARE
Did Prince Harry do a promo tour for SPARE?
Prince Harry did three interviews to promote the book. The first interview was with Anderson Cooper on the 60 Minutes show in the US. He discussed the target of press leaks after conversations with members of the royal family. He also answered the question about whether he'd ever return to a life of royal duty.
VIDEO: Prince Harry talks return to royal family with Anderson Cooper
The second interview was with ITV News Presenter Tom Bradby for a show called Harry: The Inteview which aired two days before the publication of his book. During the interview, filmed at his home in Montecito, California, there were revelations about his relationship with his father and with his brother, and how he "wants a family, not an institution".
Harry has appeared on CBS' The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and suggested that the distance between him and brother Prince William would not be the same if his mother, Princess Diana, were still alive. Her also showed Stephen the necklace William broke during the fight. It was a bit more light hearted, and he even performed a skit with Tom Hanks and did a shot of tequila.
What does SPARE mean for Prince Harry's book title?
Prince Harry has had this label on his head for his entire life. 'The heir and the spare' or 'the spare to the heir' is a common way to refer to the monarch and their sibling. In the olden days when disease was rampant and death among children common, having multiple "spares" ensured the family's line wouldn't end.
Prince Harry with his older brother, the heir, Prince William
How much is Prince Harry's book?
Hardcover UK Price: £14 / U.S. Price: $36.00
EBook UK Price £13.99 /U.S. Price: $17.99
Audio Download: Free with Audible.
How much was Prince Harry paid to write his book?
This Morning reported that Prince Harry was paid £36 million for his book.
Will Prince Harry's book sales go to charity?
Prince Harry wishes to support British charities with donations from his proceeds from SPARE. The Duke of Sussex has donated $1,500,000 to Sentebale, an organisation 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, of which he has been Royal patron for 15 years, makes it possible for children and young people with complex health needs to be cared for at home instead of hospital, wherever possible.
Did Prince Harry work with a ghostwriter?
Prince Harry chose JR Moehringer, who had written his own memoir before he started to write the lives of others. His book was called The Tender Bar, which is now a major movie starring Ben Affleck and George Clooney.
It's an account of a clearly dysfunctional family. Moehringer's mother had walked away from his violent father, when he was a baby, returning to live with her own parents. The young Moehringer yearns for his father, whom he knew only as 'the Voice' as a radio broadcaster.
In search of male role models, he leans on his uncle Charlie, who works as a bartender in a legendary Manhasset bar.
The New York Times describes Moehringer as "The best memoirist of his kind since Mary Karr wrote The Liars' Club . . . hilarious stumblebum wisdom and born raconteur's ease. Highly entertaining . . . constructed as skilfully as a drink mixed by the author's Uncle Charlie."
Was JR Moehringer chosen to write Prince Harry's confessional because he seemed a kindred spirit?
Prince Harry's book jacket photo – anything of interest?
Prince Harry's close-up shot was phographed by Ramona Rosales, the same photographer Prince Harry's wife Meghan Markle selected for some of her recent photoshoots.
Megan Markle photographed by Ramona Rosales for Variety magazine
One fan of the photograph commented on the photographer's Instagram photo, saying: "Such beautiful work! You have captured his image in a way that reveals the multifaceted/multidimensional parts of him, which often is flattened. In just one image, you’ve created a curiosity to read this book. I think it’s the emotion you’ve captured in the detail of his eyes. Again. Truly beautiful work."
Prince Harry is wearing a casual look on the jacket cover, no smart suit in sight!
How long is Prince Harry's book?
The page count is 416. If you're a serious fan, binge reading/listening to SPARE in an afternoon is not out of the question!
There is a specially created website called princeharrymemoir.com. And there's also a hashtag! #PrinceHarryMemoir. How very modern.
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