06 January 2023 , 10:51
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From the first few words in his extraordinary memoir, the tone was set: “For Meg, Archie and Lili... and of course my mother”.
Naturally given the bitterness that has enveloped Harry and the family he left behind, no mention of his father Charles or once beloved brother, William.
Perhaps the irony of his chosen title Spare was lost on Prince Harry, for not one of his formerly close relatives or their loved ones is spared from a catalogue of explosive accusations.
Ridicule, abandonment, violence, hate and despair are just for starters. Through 557 pages the reader is left feeling an overwhelming sense of astonishment and despair on his behalf and the path taken to this end of utter destruction of his family unit.
The memoir of Prince Harry will be published globally on January 10 (Penguin Random House)
Prince Harry said a woman told him his late mother knew he had 'so many questions' (Getty Images)Indeed, loss and sadness seem to be at the heart of Harry’s life, a tale which looks guaranteed to continue as far as any bond that may once have existed.
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Amid feverish speculation as to what would be contained in Harry’s life story, yesterday in his own words he revealed what must surely be the most telling expression during this spectacular fallout.
“I don’t know how staying silent is ever going to make things better.” Perhaps a last-ditch attempt at engagement after being locked in a (particularly one-sided) war of words, but more honestly, another example of a litany of contradictions in what is a breathtaking bestseller.
Diana with Harry and William at Thorpe Park (Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images)In the quagmire of this extraordinary insight into Harry’s experience during his time in the royal fold, it can surely be argued that he is on a one-man mission to destroy the family he left behind.
How he can profess to want his father and brother back in his life, and go even further to state he still believes in a monarchy, when he has run roughshod over the entire institution and the relationships of his closest relatives.
At every twist and turn, the brutal assassination of his brother’s character shows a man so embittered and damaged by his role as a younger sibling that he will now stop at nothing to destroy him.
King Charles looked pensive as he drove out of the gates at Sandringham House (Terry Harris/Bav Media)Many will reference the formative years of Harry’s upbringing, alongside his own father’s assessment of being “given” an “heir and a spare”, and the countless examples he has given of being treated differently to the future King, William.
Starved of his mother’s love when she was tragically killed in a Parisian car crash when he was just 12 years old, it is a burden Harry has understandably been unable to carry.
Harry and William were very close (AFP via Getty Images)
The two brothers have fallen apart (Getty Images)Further turning points in his life are laid bare, again with his once closest ally at the centre.
His perception of William failing in his duties as an older brother, to protect him from the outside forces they vowed would never come between them, is most evident. Amid great fanfare when this work was announced, the publishers promised a “raw and unflinching” account from the former royal, and, boy, has that pledge delivered.
But as Harry has so often failed to grasp, nothing in life is one-sided.
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Prince Harry has spoken out against his family (Getty Images)He must bear the responsibility to include his admission of the slaughter of 25 Taliban insurgents, during his time on the front line in Afghanistan, as a clear and present effect on the safety of the royals. And in the kindest way possible, questions must be asked of how Harry felt able to contact his therapist after his brother allegedly assaulted him, but by his own admission felt “ashamed” at not being able to reach out for help for his wife when she was having suicidal thoughts.
The question posed most often during this whole sorry saga is: “When will it end?”
Even when the latest wildfire has been put out, it is hard to see whether there will ever be closure for either party while such bitterness remains.