Spare Summary | Book by Prince Harry
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Introduction
Spare offers a unique and intimate perspective into the life of Prince Harry, one of the most popular members of the British royal family. Prince Harry begins by telling the story of his life up until the tragic death of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
Prince Harry recounts what he says was a physical attack by his older brother, William, who is now Prince of Wales. This happened as their relationship fell apart over the younger prince’s marriage to actor Meghan Markle. The prince promises to share an “accurate and wholly truthful” account of his life. It spans his childhood and coming-of-age as a royal, his military service, his marriage, and his experiences with fatherhood.
The documentary, “Harry & Meghan”, released by Netflix, has also helped shed some light on the couple’s life. The docuseries features everything from the early days of their relationship to the intense media scrutiny surrounding their lives. It shared some stories followers knew – and many they didn’t.
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan no longer receive money from the Royal Family. The pair earn much of their income from commercial arrangements. Their net worth is not known, but it is estimated that Prince Harry is worth around $10 million.
The book also includes previously unseen photographs that provide a visual insight into Prince Harry’s life and the experiences he talks about in the book. The photographs are personal and candid. They offer a glimpse into moments that have not been previously shared with the public.
Listen to the Audiobook Summary of Spare
About Prince Harry
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, is a member of the British royal family. He is the youngest son of King Charles III and his first wife, Diana, Princess of Wales.
He is sixth in line of succession to the British throne. Born on September 15, 1984, Harry grew up in the public eye. He attended boarding school and eventually joined the British Army. In 2018, he married American actress Meghan Markle, with whom he has a son, Archie. Harry is a passionate advocate for conservation, mental health awareness, and social justice. He and Meghan founded the non-profit organization Archewell, which is dedicated to inspiring lasting change and creating a more compassionate world.
The prince also founded the Invictus Games in 2014. It is a multi-sport event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women. Harry wanted to ensure that injured soldiers are not forgotten after wars end. He also said the games would “demonstrate the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and demonstrate life beyond disability.”
Harry is widely known internationally and has almost 10 million Instagram followers. In 2021, Harry and Meghan were added to Time magazine’s list of the world’s 100 most influential people.
StoryShot #1: The Prince Went on a Journey of Loss and Self-Discovery
Prince Harry grew up in Kensington Palace. He talks about his strong bond with his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, and his memories of spending time with her.
Harry grappled with dyslexia and emotional struggles as a child. He had difficulty expressing his emotions and understanding his feelings, and felt ashamed to ask for help. He found it hard to stay focused on tasks, and often felt frustrated and overwhelmed by schoolwork.
He also experienced loneliness and isolation as a child. He attributes this to the loss of his mother and the struggles of growing up in the public eye.
Harry grew up aware of his role in the royal family and took no offense. However, as an adult, he realizes how abnormal his life has been. This realization caused Harry to exit royal life. His relationship with his father, Charles, was not typical. There were some normal, loving moments between them, such as Charles comforting him as a child. But Harry remembers his father as distant. For example, he preferred to communicate through letters rather than face-to-face.
As an adult, Harry was able to experience occasional moments of freedom by going to the supermarket in disguise. But it was always planned like a military operation. The lack of freedom and privacy was stressful for Harry. However, the events of August 1997 affected him the most.
At the age of 12, Harry was awakened in the middle of the night by his father entering his room. Charles informed him that his mother had been in a car accident and did not survive. Though Harry cannot recall the exact words that were spoken, the phrase “She didn’t make it” remains clear in his memory.
StoryShot #2: Harry Transitioned from the Public Eye to Inner Peace
Given the tragic circumstances of his mother’s death, Harry’s feelings of hostility towards the press are understandable. For years, there has been a contentious relationship between Harry and the media. Initially, the press showed sympathy towards the young boy who had lost his mother. But soon enough, Harry became a target for them.
It was inevitable that any woman he dated would also be followed by paparazzi. Though Harry was accustomed to the harassment, it was overwhelming for his girlfriends. One of them, Chelsy, even discovered a tracking device on her car. She told Harry that she was unable to handle a lifetime of constant stalking. Harry understood her concerns, and they ultimately ended their relationship.
Growing up in the public eye was a challenge for Harry, but he is grateful for the lessons it taught him. It made him learn to accept criticism and find the courage to stand up for his beliefs. Attending boarding school gave him the opportunity to find independence and to explore who he was away from the public eye. But the most difficult thing he faced was coming to terms with the death of his mother. He has had to learn to find a way to live with the pain and to find peace in the memories.
Prince Harry reflects on his journey to adulthood, with stories of his time in the military and his marriage. His transition to adulthood was difficult and filled with challenges. He had to learn how to cope with his emotions. He had to learn how to be an adult and how to be a leader. He had to learn how to be compassionate and understanding of the people around him.
Harry struggled with his identity and his relationship with his father and brother during his teenage years. He says, “I felt like I was constantly comparing myself to my brother and my father, and I felt like I was constantly being judged and never good enough.”
Harry served in the military and it was a life-changing experience. It taught him discipline, resilience, and the importance of teamwork. It was a turning point in his life, and it gave him a great deal of confidence.
Between 2012-2013, Harry served as a helicopter pilot for the British forces in Afghanistan, where he claimed to have killed 25 Taliban soldiers. In the heat and confusion of combat, Harry saw the victims as chess pieces taken from the board, not as people. According to the Taliban, civilians and ordinary people were likely targeted during the times that Harry was serving.
StoryShot #4: Prince Harry Was Tempted by Drugs and Alcohol
Prince Harry reflects on his relationship with alcohol and drugs. Harry admits to taking cocaine and cannabis at 17. He also took magic mushrooms and drank tequila at a party at Courteney Cox’s house. He shared a joint with friends to cope with the traumatic loss of his mother.
Harry was also offered cocaine during a hunting weekend. He noted that despite it not being a pleasant experience, he took it to make himself feel different. He then lied about it to Royal Household staff during an interrogation.
However, the drugs did not make him feel better, as they did not give him the feeling of happiness they gave his peers. He had to learn how to deal with the pressures of life and the temptations of alcohol and drugs. He had to learn how to be responsible and how to take care of himself.
As part of the memoir, he recounts embarrassing events such as losing his virginity in a field and starting a fight in a bar. He also recalls William and Catherine suggesting that he dress up in a Nazi costume for a party.
StoryShot #5: Harry Battled with His Mental Health
Prince Harry speaks candidly about his struggles with mental health and his journey to acceptance and understanding of his identity. He struggled with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. But he overcame those obstacles to become the person he is today.
For Harry, self-care and surrounding yourself with the right people are essential. He learned the importance of taking care of himself, both mentally and physically. He also learned to reach out for help when he needed it and to find strength in the support of friends and family.
Harry also reflects on the importance of understanding his own identity and being open to new experiences. He had come to understand and accept his identity, and to find strength in vulnerability.
StoryShot #6: Harry and William Have a Strained Sibling Relationship
Harry and William had a heated confrontation in 2019 at Harry’s London home. William parroted the press narrative about Harry’s wife Meghan, resulting in a shouting match between the brothers. As the altercation escalated into physical violence, William grabbed Harry by the collar, ripped his necklace from him, and knocked him to the floor. Harry commanded William to leave the room, but William soon apologized for his actions. Harry told Meghan nothing until she noticed the “scrapes and bruises” on his back. Although Meghan was disappointed about what happened, she wasn’t particularly surprised or angry about it. The incident left Harry feeling that William was both his “beloved brother” and his “archnemesis.”
Harry recounted an incident where William allegedly made light of his brother’s deteriorating mental health. Harry explained that William had noticed him sweating and red-faced during a long drive to a polo match and had asked if he was okay. At that time, Harry was dealing with agoraphobia and felt that William should have been more understanding. However, Harry admits that he “was at fault too”. He says that both he and his brother should have been able to recognize Harry’s crumbling emotional state. After all, they had recently discussed launching a campaign to raise awareness of mental health in the community.
After his grandfather’s funeral, Harry had a tense conversation with Charles and William. Charles had instructed Harry and William not to make his last years miserable for him. For the first time, Harry noticed William’s “alarming” baldness and how his resemblance to his mother was fading. While walking with Harry and Charles, William asked why Harry had not come to them when having issues within the institution. He then suggested Harry should take up his complaints about the Megxit agreement “with Granny,” the Queen. Harry was disgusted with his brother’s response. William swore on their mother’s life that he only wanted Harry to be happy, but Harry didn’t believe him.
StoryShot #7: The Prince Found Love and Empowerment with Meghan Markle
Prince Harry speaks of his engagement to Meghan Markle. He says, “I am so lucky to have found someone who understands me and loves me for who I am.” He believes in the power of love, and he is grateful for the commitment and support Meghan has given him.
He speaks of the importance of respect, communication, and the willingness to make sacrifices in a successful marriage.
Harry’s marriage has helped him understand himself and grow as an individual. He is grateful for the love and support he and his wife have for each other. He found it important to find a partner who understands and accepts him for who he is. He believes in the power of love and commitment. He believes that with the right person by his side, he can achieve anything.
StoryShot #8: Harry Now Faces the Future
Harry saw two signs that convinced him he was about to have a child. One was Meghan singing to seals, who allegedly sang back to her. The other was Meghan taking two at-home pregnancy tests and placing the wands on his nightstand. That is where he says he kept “the blue box with my mother’s hair.” Harry thought at that moment: “Right. Let’s see what Mummy can do.” Upon learning that they were expecting their first child, Harry thanked “selkies” and “Mummy”. In Scottish folklore, “selkies” are mythical seal-folk.
Harry and Meghan announced the pregnancy in October 2018 on the day of Princess Eugenie’s wedding. While Meghan was giving birth to Archie Harrison, Harry admits to using a canister of laughing gas to enhance his calm.
Meghan also had a miscarriage in 2020 and she and Harry left the hospital with a tiny package containing their “unborn child.” They went to a “secret place” where he dug a hole with his hands and buried the child under a spreading banyan tree.
Prince Harry is now a father of two. He is committed to building a better world for his children. He says, “I am so excited to become a father and to have the opportunity to raise my child in a world that is better than the one I grew up in.”
Harry wants to do his part to build a more sustainable and equitable world for his children and for future generations.
Final Summary and Review
The book Spare by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, covers his personal journey from childhood to adulthood. Spare is an inspiring and insightful book that offers a unique perspective into Prince Harry’s life. It is a deeply personal and emotional account of how he was affected by the loss of his mother at a young age, and how it shaped his life and worldview. It provides a candid and honest look into the life of a member of the royal family and offers readers an understanding of the challenges that come with growing up in the public eye.
We learn about Harry’s journey to adulthood. We hear stories of his time in the military and his marriage. He talks about the importance of relying on the support of others and of finding strength in vulnerability. He also found it important to understand his own identity. He wanted to be open to new experiences. He has come to find strength in vulnerability.
Criticism
Spare has been subject to many criticisms. You might find some of the prince’s complaints about his life to be lacking in perspective. He has enjoyed privilege in many ways compared to the average person. Some have argued that Harry is too bitter and his memoir is causing damage to his family and the institution of the monarchy. He makes claims and tells stories about members of his family that he knows they cannot publicly comment on. As working royals, they cannot freely present their own perspectives. We must remember too that the book was ghostwritten. The content might come from the prince’s mouth but the storytelling is outsourced. It is nonetheless well written and compelling to read.
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Rating
We rate Spare 4.2/5.
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