Prince Harry 'named autobiography Spare himself' and has not made any changes to tell-all memoir since the Queen died

4 November 2022, 17:41 | Updated: 4 November 2022, 17:42

Prince Harry's memoir will come out on January 10
Prince Harry's memoir will come out on January 10. Picture: Penguin Random House/Alamy

By Kit Heren

Prince Harry chose the name 'Spare' for his autobiography himself and did not make any changes after the death of the Queen, a friend has said.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The Duke of Sussex's memoir, announced last month, is due to come out on January 10 - and the "punchy" title has sparked speculation that the book is "all Meghan's doing", Omid Scobie has claimed.

But the choice of name - a reference to his status below the heir, his older brother Prince William - was "made by Prince Harry early on in the process", according to Mr Scobie, known as a firm ally of the couple.

Read more: Prince Harry's tell-all memoir will be called 'Spare' and released on January 10, publisher reveals

Publishers say the book gives Harry a chance to tell 'his story at last'.
Publishers say the book gives Harry a chance to tell 'his story at last'. Picture: Penguin Random House

Writing for Yahoo, Mr Scobie said of Prince Harry: "Being the spare was one of the most defining aspects of his royal existence.

"Leaning on the derogatory moniker for a title is Harry finally owning the term after a lifetime of being called it.

"For the family business, Harry’s position as the heir’s spare saw him take on the compulsory role of royal support act at an early age.

"With no real defined job, The Firm mostly needed one thing from him: to support his more important older brother, Prince William. It’s a bizarre and somewhat cruel existence — the outcome of a system built on hereditary privilege.

"And in many cases it’s also a curse. Princess Margaret’s life as the Queen’s spare was riddled with drug abuse and alcoholism, and Prince Andrew’s life… well, the less said about that, the better."

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit South Africa
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit South Africa. Picture: Getty
The Duke And Duchess Of Sussex at rhe Endeavour Fund Awards
The Duke And Duchess Of Sussex at rhe Endeavour Fund Awards. Picture: Getty

The manuscript, which is being ghost-written by novelist J.R. Moehringer, was reportedly finished in April this year - some five months before the death of the Queen.

There have been no rewrites after she died, although Harry does acknowledge his grandmother's death at the start of the book, according to Mr Scobie. Mr Scobie's comments contradict a report in the New York Times that he "watered down" passages of the book after the monarch died in September.

He added that senior members of the Royal family feel "genuine fear" that Spare "will cause irrevocable damage to reputations and relations."

Royal Biographer, Andrew Morton says 'there's no sign that Prince Harry will go back into the fold'

Mr Scobie added: "But, for Harry, Spare’s larger intention appears to make that risk worth taking."

The Duke said himself: “My hope is that in telling my story — the highs and lows, the mistakes, the lessons learned — I can help show that no matter where we come from, we have more in common than we think."

The Duke of Sussex will support British charities with donations from the sale of his book.

Publisher Penguin Random House said: "Spare takes readers immediately back to one of the most searing images of the 20th 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."

'It's not as if Harry and Meghan were making out at a funeral!'

Penguin adds: “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.”

Spare will include details about "his dedication to service, the military duty that twice took him to the front lines of Afghanistan, and the joy he has found in being a husband and father", according to the publisher.

Harry and Meghan have been vocal about their experience of being in the royal family since they quit the institution and moved to California nearly three years ago.

In a bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey a year after their move, they accused members of the family of racism and emotional abandonment, among other things.

Since the move the couple have launched the Archewell Foundation and signed lucrative deals with Spotify and Netflix.

Meghan has discussed labels including 'diva' and 'bimbo' as well as the 'angry black woman' trope, on her new Archetypes podcast.

Read more: 'It opened my eyes': Prince Harry reveals therapy helped him regain confidence and 'understand his value'

Read more: Party Pieces to break America! Kate Middleton's mum launches family business in the US

The couple has also been working on a Netflix documentary - although the release of it has reportedly been delayed following backlash over The Crown.

The new series of the popular Netflix show about the royal family is set to dramatise the final moments of Princess Diana before her death in 1997, sparking furious criticism.

On October 18 it was reported executives at the streaming giant were "rattled", and so postponed Harry and Meghan's 'fly-on-the-wall' documentary out of fear of further backlash.

A spokesman for the King declined to comment.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

King Charles attending the Royal Film Performance and Global Premiere of "Gladiator II"

King Charles walks red carpet alone as he appears without Queen Camilla at Gladiator II premiere

Focused businessman working at laptop in highrise office, London, UK

Civil servants call for four-day week, saying move is 'critical to attaining a good quality of life'

ed

Fireworks linked to death of baby red panda who died from 'stress' on Bonfire Night

Guests Appear On The Laura Keunssberg Show

Chancellor to merge council pension pots into 'megafunds' to unlock investment cash

President Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Trump and Biden 'both really enjoyed seeing each other', claims President-elect after historic meeting at White House

Louise Thompson

Made in Chelsea star Louise Thompson breaks silence following emergency surgery after septic shock

President Trump Speaks at America First Agenda Summit

Who has Trump picked to be in his cabinet so far and who is in the running?

The Sun's Who Cares Wins Awards 2021 - Red Carpet Arrivals

Rod Stewart say he 'may have to find new owners' for his five sports cars due to potholes near his home

Council tax bills will soar by more than £100 next year Downing Street confirms

Council tax bills to soar by more than £100 next year Downing Street confirms

Producer and songwriter Quincy Jones has died at the age of 91

Quincy Jones cause of death revealed following music titan's death aged 91

Cresta Court Hotel in Altrincham

Moment locals explode in fury as they are told migrants will get 'free private healthcare' at public meeting

Police tape surrounds a ride at the Funderpark in Yiewsley, London

Mum-of-eight hurled from fairground ride and sent into coma agrees to £1.43m settlement after High Court battle with owner

Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump Holds Election Night Event In West Palm Beach

Donald Trump's grip on power tightens as Republican Party wins majority of seats in House of Representatives

Two women - who were part of a global monkey torture network - have been jailed

Two women jailed after being part of 'sickening and sadistic' monkey torture network

Wes Streeting

Health Secretary Wes Streeting orders staff to look into costs of introducing assisted dying

'Del Boy billionaire’ saves DIY chain Homebase from collapse rescuing 70 UK stores

'Del Boy billionaire’ saves DIY chain Homebase from collapse rescuing 70 UK stores