Prince Harry’s book “Reserve” (original: “Spare”) was officially published on January 10, 2023. However, it was already a topic of conversation before it was published, as parts of the book were made public earlier. In Spain, the autobiography was accidentally available for purchase in some bookstores the previous Thursday and promptly caused the first scandal reports. In addition, Prince Harry fueled the discussions himself as he gave two interviews in advance.
It quickly became known: Prince Harry doesn’t take kindly to his brother William and reports, among other things, a physical attack and a lot of competition. Also his father King Charles III. doesn’t come off well. But it’s not just your own family that is criticized in “Reserve”, but also the British press. Among other things, Harry reveals that if “royal insider sources” were quoted, this information would come specifically from the palace. He also describes very personal experiences: you can read about his first time or about his cocaine use.
But his goal is not to rage pointlessly against everyone, he is much more interested in reconciliation, said Harry in the previously broadcast ITV interview: “I want my father back. I want my brother back. At the moment I don’t recognize her. ” It was important to him to openly and honestly show that his family was playing with the wrong cards. It’s important to him to get away from public expectations and manipulation in order to feel authenticity and feelings: “I’m sitting here asking for a family,” Prince Harry continued in the interview. “Not about an institution, about a family.” This should also become clear in the 38-year-old’s book. And it will certainly be a topic of conversation and discussion for a long time to come. He has already achieved this goal once.
For this reason alone, it is worth getting your own opinion and reading the memoirs. Prince Harry’s book is certainly a ruthless attack on the monarchy and reflects his very personal, subjective experiences and accounts from his particular position as a wounded prince. Which, as some critics point out, are certainly intended to help keep Harry and Megan in conversation and to make an attempt to the public to understand the decisions and statements of the two. However, these one-sided descriptions are important in order to get a holistic picture of the royal family, which in the past often only showed the public what the public wanted to see: a harmonious picture of an untouchable family.
The fact that this façade is currently crumbling can certainly largely be attributed to Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan, who have caused major breaks with various TV appearances and descriptions, but have also lost a lot of sympathy because they sometimes overstepped the mark. However, there may certainly be some truth to some of the allegations and may help people look at the royal family with a more critical eye. And only those who listen to all sides can ultimately come to a comprehensive opinion.
Whether you want to fully believe and approve of all of Prince Harry’s descriptions and goals, whether you are uncompromisingly on the side of the royal family or are neutral about the whole thing: the book is certainly worth reading either way. Whether it achieves its stated goal or not.
Tip: You can find more book recommendations from the editorial team on our topic page.
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