*disclaimer: this was written by an American
All over the world people are reading it, talking about it, and, for the most part, condemning it. Prince Harry’s recently published autobiography Spare is a vulnerable account, delving into the life and struggles of one of the most recognizable figures in modern history. Much like Prince Harry himself, the book has been a popular topic of discussion and disapproval, but upon inspection, it proves to be a careful unwrapping of the human zoo that is the British Royal Family. It is cheeky and at some points a bit odd, but also a deeply honest telling of the painful matriculation from boyhood to manhood under the desperate scrutiny of the public eye. Like most people, I approached Spare with a healthy dose of scepticism, unimpressed by the idea of exploiting one’s own family in such a public way, especially after renting to the ideal of exiting the spotlight as a form of self-preservation. I got my inside cover run down from the viral soundbites that prompted me to Google panettone (and its resemblance to cocaine), as well as question the long-term medical side effects of a frostbitten penis. Italian sweet breads aside, I found Harry’s account of mental health, drug addiction, and trauma from the death of his mother, both engaging and relatable.
It is a chronological account of a life dense with anxiety and self-loathing. Growing up in the shadow of his father, Prince Charles, and his brother, William, Harry lacked a strong male role model in his early life. Even in the presence of kings and queens, there was no stable figure to lead the young prince, and Harry finds himself drowning in the pressure-cooker of long palace corridors. Without the guidance of his mother and closest confidant, Princess Diana, Harry finds himself completely alone and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Spare reveals that after struggling in school and in the art of diplomacy, it was the time spent performing hard labour on an Aussie farm, travelling and surviving in Africa, and fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan, that ultimately provided Harry with a sense of personal agency, and crucially, anonymity.
I think there is a certain amount of complacency that we have when considering the pressures of the Royal Family. Sure, it would be uncomfortable to always exist in the public eye, but you are royal after all, so it can’t be all bad. Right? The term “spare” is used to describe the backup to the heir to the throne. This unchangeable position of second place, coupled with the traumatic death of his mother formed Harry’s entire identity in the media. Each mistake was blown up, exploited, and sold to the public to contribute to a narrative of a loser, backup king with a dead mother. Not so glamorous when you think about it.
Harry also reflects on his decision to step back from his role as a senior member of the royal family and move to California with his wife Meghan and their son Archie. After a long account of disappointment and overcoming, I found it heartwarming to hear my audiobook narrator describe meeting the love of his life and bringing a child into the world. Furthermore, I found the undying commitment to protect his son from growing up with the same set of challenges both honourable and sophisticated, eschewing any doubts that I had about Harry’s allegiance to his family.
Harry's writing style is personal and relatable, making it a very intimate experience. Spare is an obvious read for anyone who is interested in the life of the Royal Family, but it is also a book that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled with mental health or felt pressure to live up to the expectations of others. The most impressive thing about the autobiography is Prince Harry’s ability to make an accessible narrative, reaching any person who has dealt with loneliness and tribulation in their pursuit of becoming themselves.