My mother’s legacy is a guiding light in my life – her compassion, empathy, and drive for justice continue to inspire me.

Prince Harry opens with a look at his early years, growing up in the spotlight with the weight of royal expectations. Despite the privileges, he often felt overshadowed by his brother, Prince William. Harry describes a childhood marked by formality and duty, yet punctuated with moments of normalcy, such as playing with friends and enjoying outdoor adventures. This duality of life shaped his early understanding of the world and his place within the royal family.

Early Life & Royal Expectations

The tragic death of Princess Diana profoundly impacted Harry. He recounts the intense grief and confusion he felt, compounded by the public’s scrutiny and media intrusion. The loss left a lasting void, and Harry details how he struggled to cope, often feeling isolated within the royal bubble. This period of his life was marked by a search for solace and understanding, which continued to influence his actions and choices well into adulthood.

The Impact of Princess Diana’s Death

Relocating to North America provided Harry and Meghan with a fresh start. He shares the challenges and opportunities of building a new life away from the royal spotlight. Embracing this change, they focused on creating a safe and nurturing environment for their children while pursuing philanthropic endeavours. The move also allowed Harry to reconnect with his passions and continue his advocacy work on a global stage.

Relocation to North America

Harry and Meghan’s relationship faced intense media scrutiny and public pressure. He recounts the invasive and often hostile coverage by the press, which mirrored the treatment his mother endured. This constant barrage of negativity took a toll on their mental health and relationship. Determined to protect his family, Harry began to question the established norms of royal life and the detrimental impact of media intrusion.

The Challenges of Royal Romance

Despite the physical and emotional distance, Harry remains connected to his family. He discusses the complexities of maintaining these relationships, balancing love and loyalty with the need for boundaries. The book offers insights into his ongoing efforts to bridge gaps and heal rifts, underscoring the importance of family bonds even amid profound change.

Reconnecting with Family

Harry reflects on his journey, acknowledging the lessons learned and the growth experienced. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity, resilience, and compassion in navigating life’s challenges. Looking forward, Harry envisions a future where he continues to honor his mother’s legacy, support his family, and contribute to causes close to his heart. His story is one of transformation, courage, and the relentless pursuit of a life filled with purpose and joy.

Reflection & Looking Forward

To make meaningful change, you sometimes have to disrupt the status quo, even at personal cost.

Mental health is not a dirty word – we all have mental health just as we have physical health.

The decision to step back from royal duties was not taken lightly. Harry explains the emotional and practical considerations that led to this choice, driven by a desire for independence and the well-being of his family. He details the complex negotiations with the royal institution and the mixed reactions from the public and media. This significant step marked a new chapter in Harry’s life, allowing him to carve out a more autonomous and fulfilling path.

Stepping Back from Royal Duties

The story of meeting Meghan Markle marks a turning point in Harry’s life. He describes their initial connection, drawn by shared values and a desire for a meaningful life beyond royal obligations. Their relationship quickly blossomed, providing Harry with a sense of partnership and support he had long yearned for. Meghan’s influence was pivotal in his decision to redefine his role within the royal family and pursue a life focused on personal happiness and service.

Meeting Meghan Markle

Freedom is not just about being free from something, it’s about being free to do something – to make a difference.

The pain of our losses is the price we pay for the privilege of loving and being loved.

Harry candidly discusses his battles with mental health, including anxiety and depression. He describes how the pressures of royal life, combined with unresolved trauma from his mother’s death, led to a period of deep emotional turmoil. Seeking help, he began therapy and found support through close friends and his eventual wife, Meghan Markle. This journey towards mental well-being became a cornerstone of his advocacy work, highlighting the importance of seeking help and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health.

Struggles with Mental Health

Harry’s military service in the British Army provided him with a sense of purpose and escape from royal duties. He shares stories of camaraderie, challenges, and the pride he felt serving alongside his fellow soldiers. The experience was transformative, allowing him to step out of the royal shadow and forge his own path. However, it also exposed him to the harsh realities of war, deepening his empathy and commitment to supporting veterans and their families.

Military Service & Finding Purpose

Harry details the founding of Archewell, an organization dedicated to social impact and storytelling. This venture represents the culmination of his experiences and aspirations, aiming to create positive change in the world. Through Archewell, Harry and Meghan address issues such as mental health, social justice, and environmental sustainability, leveraging their platform to amplify voices and support communities in need.r

Founding Archewell & New Beginnings

Dive into the candid revelations of Prince Harry as he navigates life in the royal family, his struggles with identity, and his journey to find freedom and purpose.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER  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.