In his memoir Spare, Prince Harry opens up about his life as a member of the royal family, from his childhood to his decision to step back from his royal duties.
He writes candidly about the challenges he faced growing up in the spotlight, the grief he experienced after his mother’s death, and his struggles with mental health.
Harry’s Childhood
Harry begins the book by describing his childhood as “happy and carefree.” He was the “spare” to the heir, Prince William, and he enjoyed the privileges of being a royal child, such as playing with his cousins and attending royal events.
However, his childhood changed forever when his mother, Princess Diana, died in a car crash in 1997. Harry was just 12 years old at the time, and he was devastated by her death.
In the aftermath of Diana’s death, Harry struggled with grief and anger. He felt lost and alone, and he turned to alcohol and drugs to cope with his pain. He also began to rebel against the royal family, and he made some questionable choices, such as getting drunk and naked at a Las Vegas party.
Harry’s Struggle with Mental Health
In Spare, Harry writes honestly about his struggles with mental health. He says that he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after his mother’s death, and he also suffered from anxiety and depression. He writes about how difficult it was to live in the spotlight and to always be under scrutiny.
His Relationships
Harry also writes about his relationship with his brother, Prince William. He says that they were once very close, but their relationship has become strained in recent years. He says that he feels that William is “trapped” by the royal family, and that he doesn’t understand why Harry chose to step back from his royal duties.
Our Likes & Dislikes of the Book
Here are some of the things I liked about the book:
1.Harry’s honesty and vulnerability. He doesn’t shy away from talking about his struggles, and he writes with a raw and unflinching honesty.
2. The insights into the royal family. Harry gives us a glimpse into the inner workings of the royal family, and he writes about the challenges and pressures of living in the spotlight.
3. The message of hope. Harry’s story is a story of resilience and hope. He shows us that it is possible to overcome trauma and to find happiness.
Here are some of the things I didn’t like about the book:
- Some of the details were repetitive. Harry sometimes retells the same stories or events multiple times, which can make the book feel a bit slow at times.
2. Some of the writing was a bit choppy. There were a few times when I found it difficult to follow Harry’s train of thought.
Conclusion
In the end, Spare is a story of resilience and hope. Harry writes about how he has learned to cope with his grief and trauma, and how he has found happiness with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their children. He says that he is no longer the “spare” to the heir, but that he is his own man, living his own life.
Overall, I enjoyed Spare. It is a well-written and insightful memoir that gives us a glimpse into the life of a royal who is trying to find his own way in the world.
If you are interested in learning more about Prince Harry, his life, and his struggles, then I would recommend reading Spare. It is a powerful and moving story that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.