Spare

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What to expect

It was one of the most searing images of the twentieth century: two young boys, two princes, walking behind their mother's coffin as the world watched in sorrow-and horror. As Princess Diana was laid to rest, billions wondered what Prince William and Prince Harry must be thinking and feeling-and how their lives would play out from that point on.

For Harry, this is that story at last.

Before losing his mother, twelve-year-old Prince Harry was known as the carefree one, the happy-go-lucky Spare to the more serious Heir. Grief changed everything. He struggled at school, struggled with anger, with loneliness-and, because he blamed the press for his mother's death, he struggled to accept life in the spotlight.

At twenty-one, he joined the British Army. The discipline gave him structure, and two combat tours made him a hero at home. But he soon felt more lost than ever, suffering from post-traumatic stress and prone to crippling panic attacks. Above all, he couldn't find true love.

Then he met Meghan. The world was swept away by the couple's cinematic romance and rejoiced in their fairy-tale wedding. But from the beginning, Harry and Meghan were preyed upon by the press, subjected to waves of abuse, racism, and lies. Watching his wife suffer, their safety and mental health at risk, Harry saw no other way to prevent the tragedy of history repeating itself but to flee his mother country. Over the centuries, leaving the Royal Family was an act few had dared. The last to try, in fact, had been his mother. . . .

For the first time, Prince Harry tells his own story, chronicling his journey with raw, unflinching honesty. A landmark publication, Spare is full of insight, revelation, self-examination, and hard-won wisdom about the eternal power of love over grief.

Critics Review

Unflinching, introspective and well-written
Time
The most insightful royal book in a generation
Financial Times
This is an extraordinary and important book
New Statesman
Richly detailed… beautifully written
Independent
Compellingly artful… [a] blockbuster memoir
The New Yorker
A triumph
Standard
Honest, insightful and vulnerable
Forbes
A fast-paces, quickfire account… the book crackles like a burning log
BBC

User Reviews

Book 4.5
Narration 4.8
5.0
5.0
Enjoyable, it’s good to hear the author reading, this is the first audio book I’ve had
Merkel 02/08/2025
4.0
4.0
A really interesting view into the Royal family and the racist climate in Great Britain. I'm no defender of the monarchy, but I still feel for them...
seltzer 09/06/2025
5.0
5.0
calniakel 25/01/2025
5.0
5.0
Dear Prince Harry ❤️ I have really enjoyed your book & the truth about your life! You are not the spare you are a wonderful young man, husband & daddy!
Just keep being you Harry! ❤️❤️
simone 05/11/2024
5.0
5.0
lotta 20/10/2024
5.0
5.0
simplepretzel 22/06/2024
5.0
5.0
kevin777 28/04/2024
4.0
5.0
andymole2409 07/02/2024
5.0
5.0
Brilliant book. The real story! Thank you for telling it. Made me cry and laugh and angry too. A beautiful book that needed to be written.
AngieW 29/08/2023
5.0
5.0
Excellent book, really moving, I couldn’t put it down. No-one should have an opinion on this couple until they have read this book.
Excellent narration too.
BW 05/07/2023
3.0
5.0
Really respect the man for reclaiming the narrative of his life, he takes accountability in a genuinely quite surprising way. I do wish he was more open with the fact this is ghost written but that is just how this kinda thing works. The book is clearly written by a talented experience writer, very well structured although the military chapters do drag although what do you expect when reading a soldiers memoir. Harry's narration really is the best way of experiencing the book as it makes the experience feel a lot more sincere and does connect the reader with him in a more personal way.
Worth a listen but not a read.
floralwallpaper 27/06/2023
2.0
4.0
LBunting 26/06/2023
5.0
5.0
Really excellent read. What challenges Harry has been through. I feel that one isn’t entitled to an opinion about Harry & Meg until you read his story in his words. After all. It is his Story… journalism and reporters are just opinions… a bit like an (A*** ) holes… everyone’s got one….
deirdrehoult 20/06/2023
5.0
5.0
I enjoyed this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Redrose57 16/04/2023
4.0
4.0
Interesting start but lost its way as it proggresses
nanajac 23/03/2023
4.0
5.0
EmiG 21/03/2023
5.0
5.0
joanjm 21/03/2023
3.0
4.0
One of those stories you have to read but this is a one sided attack of his own family. The problem is knowing whether what is being said is actually true.
Milky 09/03/2023
5.0
5.0
Very insightful book, with far more depth and detail than the headlines suggest. Narration by Prince Harry is excellent.
KP 08/03/2023
3.0
3.0
neena_reads 28/02/2023
4.0
5.0
apevi 23/02/2023
5.0
5.0
Good read. If you believe the tabloids, it's full of revelations and betrayals, but in reality there are no sordid details. I read with compassion for his struggle and wish them happiness.
jayne_bee 20/02/2023
4.0
4.0
Abbie Fisher 14/02/2023
5.0
5.0
Well said Harry.you have such a beautiful soul. Your heart is where your feet are free to beat and free to dance never stop
Anitajune 01/02/2023
5.0
5.0
jemma 29/01/2023
4.0
4.0
HollyPed 28/01/2023
5.0
5.0
frompton 26/01/2023
5.0
5.0
ds 25/01/2023
5.0
5.0
Very good book, well worth a read
woody_gmw 24/01/2023
5.0
5.0
Very good, I was hooked from the start, sounded very truthful from beginning to end.
luke curry 20/01/2023
5.0
5.0
Tdk 19/01/2023
5.0
5.0
Well worth to read all listen. My heart goes to Harry ❤️
asiaboss 18/01/2023
5.0
5.0
Rufis 16/01/2023
5.0
5.0
I enjoyed this book. I personally wondered why on earth would a member of the royal family leave. I have my answer.
Some amusing anecdotes, a glimpse into what happened behind the headlines.
Possibly the most controversial book I will listen to this year.
Without question this book is worth a listen, don't be put off by the media storm. They make headlines using some content out of context.
Highly recommended
Hojohns 13/01/2023
5.0
5.0
Awesome man. I have so much love for him and Meghan. Good luck for the future and know that we in South Africa LOVE and CHERISH you!!! May you find peace, love, serenity!!
Lollakie 11/01/2023

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