Three years ago today, Prince Harry made headlines worldwide with the release of his astonishing memoir, Spare, which caused a stir within the Royal Family. In this bombshell book, the Duke of Sussex made bold claims, such as accusing his brother Prince William of a heated confrontation over Meghan Markle, suggesting jealousy between King Charles and William with Kate, and alleging that his father blocked Meghan from joining the royals in Scotland during the late Queen’s illness. This anticipated book followed a series of revelations, including the infamous Oprah Winfrey interview in 2021 and their controversial Netflix docuseries in 2022.
Despite expectations that Harry would elaborate on previous accusations against the Royal Family in the memoir, some key points from their past interviews and shows were conspicuously absent. Furthermore, some of the incidents Harry detailed in the book contradicted previous statements made by the Sussexes. Despite an updated version of the memoir being released with considerable sales, no additional updates or chapters were added, indicating a possible gesture of reconciliation towards Charles, William, and the royal family.
One of the most significant revelations from Harry and Meghan’s Oprah interview was the claim that a senior royal had raised concerns about the skin color of their unborn child. This revelation sparked controversy within the Royal Family, with Prince William publicly denying any racism within the family. However, this specific incident was not mentioned in Spare, and during an interview, Harry backtracked on labeling the family as racist, emphasizing the difference between racism and unconscious bias.
Additionally, Spare did not address other notable claims from previous interviews, such as Meghan’s struggles with mental health during her pregnancy and the alleged lack of support from the Royal Family. Harry recounted poignant moments in the book, including finding Meghan distressed and their emotional experiences, but refrained from repeating the claims of denied help.
Similarly, Harry’s account of the Sandringham Summit differed from his past statements, as the book portrayed a more subdued interaction with William compared to the earlier narrative of shouting and tension. The confusion surrounding their private wedding ceremony before the official Windsor wedding was also clarified in the book, emphasizing that the garden ceremony was symbolic rather than legally binding.
While previous accounts of their initial meeting and relationship were shared in interviews and the Netflix series, Spare focused more on the emotional aspects of their early interactions, omitting certain details like FaceTiming before meeting in person. The book also addressed discrepancies in Meghan’s attire on their first date, highlighting the nuanced differences between their recollections.
Overall, Spare offered a deeper insight into Harry and Meghan’s personal experiences, shedding light on their challenges and relationships within the Royal Family, while also presenting a nuanced perspective on their past narratives.