Prince Harry reveals title and release date for explosive memoir

Over 12 months after announcing that he is writing a “wholly truthful” memoir about his life in the royal family, Prince Harry has finally revealed its title and when it will hit shelves.

The book, which is co-written by Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and ghostwriter J. R. Moehringer, will be titled Spare and will be published on January 10 2023.

What does the title mean?

The title is a nod to the old adage ‘the heir and the spare’, with his brother Prince William being the heir to the throne while Harry is the younger sibling unlikely to ever become king.

A Spanish-language edition of the memoir reveals an even deeper insight into Harry’s feelings about his position in the royal family with the subtitle En La Sombra, translating to ‘in the shadow’.

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The date is also significant as the memoir will not only be released four months after Queen Elizabeth II’s death but also two days after the three-year anniversary of Harry and his wife Meghan Markle leaving the royal family.

It’s believed that the book was pushed back following the Queen’s passing, but will still be released a few months before King Charles’ coronation.

How much will the memoir cost?

The 416-page memoir will cost $50 AUD for a hardcover version, with the e-book set at half price, and will be released alongside an unabridged audiobook read by Harry himself.

The Duke of Sussex was reportedly paid a $31 million advance for the memoir as part of a three-book deal with Penguin Random House.

His publisher revealed on Thursday that he has already donated $2.3 million to Sentebale, a charity he co-founded that helps children and young people in Lesotho and Botswana affected by HIV/AIDS.

He has also donated $530,000 to WellChild, a British charity for disabled children which he has been a patron of for the past 15 years.

What’s the memoir about?

While few details are known about the contents of the memoir, Penguin Random House gave fans an insight alongside the announcement of the cover art, title and release date.

“With its raw, unflinching honesty, SPARE is a landmark publication full of insight, revelation, self-examination, and hard-won wisdom about the eternal power of love over grief,” the description reads.

“SPARE takes readers immediately back to 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 Diana, Princess of Wales, was laid to rest, billions wondered what the princes must be thinking and feeling—and how their lives would play out from that point on.

“For Harry, this is his story at last.”

It’s also been speculated that the memoir could add further tension between Harry and his father and brother, with King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla reportedly in “panic mode” ahead of its release.

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