Review Spare-Prince Harry

Just think about it: You are born as the second son to Diana and Charles. There is an older brother, the heir to the throne. But suppose something will happen to him, they will need a spare. He has been seen and treated as such, from the first day he was born. Except for his mom, who adored him. Of course the book ‘Spare’ has been written by Prince Harry as an autobiography. This means he can say or write whatever he wants to.

First time

For probably the very first time in his life. And he is not holding back. Is it the truth? The paparazzi and press don’t believe so. They are quick to judge, yet again, that Harry and his wife Meghan are purposely making everything way more dramatic than it is. I doubt it. After reading this book I felt both sorry and respect for their life.

Youth

Up to his 12th year he had a good childhood. His mom not only took care of them but she cuddled her boys as much as she could. I had the pleasure of meeting Diana and her boys when they flew into Aspen. On a commercial flight, no private jet, she seemed like a very ‘normal’ young mom having a great time with her two young sons. I hope they will look back at this week with joy, as I don’t think there was much press present. Aspen is used to ‘celebrities’ and royalty.

Death

After the sad death of his mother everything changed. Around that time Harry had to go to Eton, a very prestigious and very traditional school. His brother Willy, as he calls him in the book, told him he didn’t want to know his younger brother in school. Being a few years older, Willy had his own friends and wasn’t inclined to ‘babysit’. Harry was alone and very lonely. No wonder he imagined his mom to still be alive. She must be hiding somewhere on an island and nobody knew. Just to get away from all the paparazzi, she had found peace. Not until he was an adult did he let go of this idea, realizing that Diana would never have left her boys alone.

Army

Glad when school was over, Harry decided to join the army. Here he was (almost) anonymous. Of course his seniors and his mates knew him, but being treated just like everybody else was just what he wanted. Craved, rather. Unfortunately there were some leaks and Harry had to go from one place to another. Not only for his own safety, what would’ve been a better target than the :Prince of England, but even more importantly for the safety of everybody there. Probably the best time of his life, he hated to leave when things were getting too dangerous. No, not the enemy was most dangerous and no, not Harry was the weak one. Again, the press was all over him and published exactly where he was hiding.

Africa

Another hide-away, for as long as it lasted, was with good friends of his late mom in Africa. They took him under their wing and provided a little bit of freedom from the golden cage. It never lasted long though, before paparazzi showed up behind hedges and trees. Anything for a good shot, so they could get paid thousands of pounds.

Relationships

The few relationships he had were doomed from the beginning. His girlfriends chose a more human life instead of being hunted for the rest of it. Harry was, again, very lonely. Never was he sure of even his best friends. There were always tidbits in the papers that made him wonder who betrayed him. His family told him to not take notice. It’s all part of being a prince. For a while he sort of managed, though he always felt wronged about all the lies about him. As an honest person, he could hardly handle the injustice.

Meghan

But when he fell in love with the one person he truly and deeply loved, things only got worse. Here his fellow Englishmen tried to do everything they could to hurt his lady. She, being American and not at all familiar with the many rules and regulations of the UK and Commonwealth, made mistakes. Of course she did! Her wordt mistake was to take the attention away from her brother in law and his family, and from the second wife of her father in law. This was not supposed to happen. I guess she would’ve happily given them the spotlights. But no, she (and her beautiful mother) was the target.

Choice?

According to Harry’s own story he never wanted to leave his homeland. He never wanted to run away from his family and friends.  Being a military guy he never even thought of shirking his responsibilities. He had no other choice. I believe this. If nothing else, I certainly believe this part. He and his wife, maybe even his cute children, would not have survived otherwise. He didn’t leave, he was forced out. Trying to still be part of the family by working abroad, this was not going to happen. He was stripped of titles, he didn’t get a penny from his father anymore and his brother fought with him, literally.

Hope

Not that he complaints about it much. Being in therapy again, he found out what was most lacking in his life. Now he has a beautiful wife, two adorable children, he still has enough money to get by. What is lacking? Why can’t he be happy? It’s the lack of respect. The craving for respect, all his life has made him feel less than everybody else. Less than human, even. It’s his wife pointing out to him: ‘You are, it’s you I love, you’re my man and you will never, ever be a spare.