Prince Harry has, for a while now, been vocal with the public about the familial tensions that prompted his famous royal exit in 2020, notably beginning with his March 2021 bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey alongside his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Soon, he will also expand on the narrative in an upcoming tell-all memoir, which is anticipated to shake up the royal family’s public image, perhaps irreversibly.
Per a July press release, Prince Harry’s memoir will be a "definitive account of the experiences, adventures, losses, and life lessons that have helped shape him"—from his royal childhood and time in the military to the trauma of his mother’s death and newfound joy in becoming a husband and father.
And among the accounts throughout the book are never-before-revealed truth bombs about the British royal family, the details of which—as we’ve already seen from multiple leaked excerpts—will be juicy.
Ahead, see everything we know so far about Prince Harry’s highly anticipated autobiography.
What is the title?
On October 27, Penguin Random House’s global CEO, Markus Dohle, officially released the memoir’s cover image and gripping title—Spare—presumably addressing both Prince Harry’s "spare" role to the throne and perhaps being "spared" from his royal family.
Penguin Random House
When will the memoir be released?
The book’s publication date has officially been set for January 10, 2023. It will be released simultaneously in both print and digital formats.
The memoir was initially due out in the fall of 2022, but its release date was pushed back because of last-minute concerns regarding the propriety of certain material. According to The Sun, Harry worked last-minute to edit certain sections and had been worrying over the sensitivity of certain material, particularly following the death of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II. At the time, royal author Tom Bower said the memoir would be slated for release by Easter of 2023.
What will the content more specifically entail?
According to various leaked excerpts released this week by different outlets, Harry is not holding back in his memoir. Not only does he tell all on his strained relationship with his brother, Prince William, and his father, King Charles III, but he also opens up about his headcount during his time with the British army, the way he coped with mom Princess Diana’s death, a feud that occurred between Meghan and Princess Kate, and even the moment he lost his virginity. (Read the biggest takeaways here.)
The memoir has also recently been edited with a new chapter dedicated to the late Queen Elizabeth, alongside material about how Harry and Meghan "were snubbed," according to Bower.
"Harry and Meghan’s former staff members are convinced that this book is being written to settle scores and will likely include a lot of detail about their time within the royal family," a source told The Sun. "Based on the Oprah Winfrey interview, some of these ex-workers simply do not trust that a full and accurate picture will be presented. Conversations have already started about what steps they might be able to take to protect their own reputation and that of the monarchy post-publication."
How much will Prince Harry earn from the book deal?
According to Page Six, Harry already received "at least $20 million upfront" from his publisher, Penguin Random House. That said, the entirety of the memoir’s proceeds will allegedly go directly to charity, the outlet added.
How has Prince Harry’s royal network taken the news?
Family members and old friends of the prince are worried for the memoir’s coming release. Bower told Page Six that the royal family has been "hugely nervous" about what’s to be revealed in the memoir.
Meanwhile, old friends from Eton and the army have also expressed their concerns. One friend reportedly told the Daily Mail, "There is a fear that he’s going to reveal details of his hedonistic youth, which some worry will play havoc with their careers and personal lives."
What is Prince Harry’s own take on the memoir?
Per the duke’s own words, his intent and purpose behind publishing the memoir is to demonstrate his humanity.
"I’m writing this not as the prince I was born but as the man I have become," he said in a personal statement released in July. "I’ve worn many hats over the years, both literally and figuratively, and my hope is that in telling my story—the highs and lows, the mistakes, the lessons learned—I can help show that no matter where we come from, we have more in common than we think. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to share what I’ve learned over the course of my life so far and excited for people to read a firsthand account of my life that’s accurate and wholly truthful."
How can I buy it?
The memoir is now available to pre-order on Amazon with a delivery date of January 10, the day of the official release. Click here to purchase.
