Spare ~ Harry, Prince, Duke of Sussex 1984 by Prince Harry

From Goodreads

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.

My thoughts

I was of the opinion that I wasn't going to read this, but then curiosity got the better of me and I decided to reserve it at my local Library.  I was 125 in line to receive the book when I first reserved it, so I was prepared to wait some time before I got the book to read.  The day arrived and I was notified that the book was at the Library waiting for me to collect it.  So off I went to the Library picked it up and brought it home, the book is reserved so I had 3 weeks in which to read it.

I quite enjoyed this insight into the life of Prince Harry.  I found it quite an enlightening read and it is plain to see that he has obviously been deeply damaged following the death of his Mum, Princess Diana at such a young age.  It's hard for any child to lose a parent, but to have to be on display to the World following the death of a parent, I can only imagine is extremely difficult.  

Reading about his life and all that he has had to cope with in his personal life and publicly as well.  It may only be his side to what has happened and whether he should have written it, may be another question.  Written he has though and if you come across this book, I recommend that you read it for yourself.