SPARE is Prince Harry’s long-anticipated, 400-page, popular memoir. It begins with the death of his mother, Princess Diana, through his adolescence, Army days, his loving relationship with his wife, Meghan Markle, turbulent times with the British press, and ending with his resignation as a Senior Member of the British Royal Family, it is packed with humor, insights, anecdotes, and gossip. It felt like an honest depiction of what growing up “Royal” must be like in modern British society.Â
SPARE is an excellent title for this book since it references how the monarchy views their heirs to the throne. It’s like having an extra part or human just sitting around the castle waiting for when they might be needed. This would be a tough life to experience. Many would argue that’s the price you pay for being Royal, but maybe this tradition of name-calling has become antiquated. SPARE raises these questions and more.
SPARE is an easy, entertaining book to read. It flows from one decade to the next. At times it was a bit repetitive. Prince Harry did not lead the life he thought he would have. Everything changed the moment his mother was killed. How could it not?
SPARE was shocking at times when the Prince reflected on his tumultuous relationships with family members. He was quite candid about what goes on behind closed doors. SPARE is a New York Times bestseller, especially now that the British press has been summoned to court with Harry’s legal complaints.Â
I would highly recommend SPARE. It’s a thoughtful read, and it’s nice to be “in the room where it happens.” One caveat is feeling gratitude for our own ordinary lives.Â
