In the aftermath of Prince Harry's explosive memoir "Spare," royal experts cautioned that any plans for a follow-up could permanently sever his ties with the British royal family. According to royal commentator Jennie Bond, the Duke of Sussex, who revealed he has ample material for more books, might crush any hope for reconciliation.
"Spare," released in January 2023, provided a raw and unfiltered glimpse into Harry's life within the royal family. The Duke admitted that nearly half of the initial draft had to be cut, suggesting he has numerous untold stories. Despite this, Bond believed another tell-all would obliterate any chance of mending Harry's strained relationships.
Bond told OK! Magazine that she could not imagine Prince Harry considering a follow-up to "Spare" because he indicated a desire to move on, having already expressed his grievances and dealt with the consequences. She emphasized that another book would likely result in "continued dignified silence" from the palace and an unequivocal end to reconciliation efforts.
Harry himself acknowledged the delicate balance he struck with "Spare." In a January interview with the Telegraph, he disclosed that the first draft of his memoir was 800 pages, which he reduced to 400. He expressed concern that sharing specific stories involving his brother, Prince William, and his father, King Charles III, could cause an unbridgeable rift. Harry believed they would never forgive him if those details were made public.
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The content that did make it into "Spare" already caused considerable upheaval. Royal biographer Robert Hardman's book "Charles III" revealed that the situation with Harry and Meghan saddened the King, but he has learned to compartmentalize domestic issues to uphold his role. Hardman's book includes a statement from a friend of Charles, noting the King's unhappiness with the ongoing discord between the Sussexes and the royal family.
Prince William was reportedly embarrassed by Harry's casual sharing of personal secrets in his memoir. In the book, Harry described an incident where William allegedly attacked him and tore his necklace after criticizing Meghan as difficult. According to Hardman's book, William condemned Harry's account as highly disrespectful.
Harry's candid opinions about Queen Camilla, branding her "dangerous" and "the villain," revealed deep personal and family tensions. He accused Camilla of leaking stories to the media to bolster her image, describing his introduction to her as an unwelcome necessity.
These revelations reportedly left Camilla hurt and further strained Harry's relationship with King Charles, who urged his son to stop divulging private family matters. The discord intensified as Harry's allegations against his stepmother and other family members reverberated through the public and media.
While there are speculations that any future publication by Harry might shift focus to his philanthropic work, such as the Invictus Games, or his experiences of fatherhood, the overarching sentiment remains cautious. Bond and other experts suggested that steering clear of additional royal disclosures is crucial for any prospect of familial healing.
For now, the Duke of Sussex stands at a crossroads. A second tell-all might provide further insights into his royal upbringing, but it could also permanently close the doors on his royal family, leaving reconciliation an unattainable dream.
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