‘Spare’ by Prince Harry

hard-won wisdom - he’s not wise, is he?

That was to Calendargirl

But had she had a different disposition, she might have felt that but for being born second, not first, she would have been the golden heir, and if she had been a boy, her place in the list would have been above Andrew.

If you have the nature to be resentful, you can always find something to resent.

I feel sad for William. When he is king, he would benefit from the support of his brother, especially when all the previous generation have gone or are too frail to be working royals any more. I fear there will be no coming back from the effects of this book.

Harry will definitely regret this petty outburst because Charles has threatened to remove their titles and I doubt if they would like to become commoners like us, plain Mr and Mrs.

Second child syndrome or dead mum syndrome?

And the term 'heir and spare' has been knocking around the royal family for a lot longer than Harry has.

Ladyleftfieldlover

Thing is, the tabloid press and others write what they like about the Royal family so why can’t Harry write his own book? People like Piers Morgan has been getting his knickers in a huge knot over this book, but he is happy to write reams of rubbish about Harry and Meghan. Look how many books have been written about Diana. When she did write her own version of events via Andrew Morton, it was if the sky had fallen in. So good for Harry. If he has written the truth and his family are upset, so be it.

Because it is others writing about his family. Betraying your own family is an enormous personal thing to do. How do you carry on a relationship afterwards?

Many spares became King Henry V111, Charles 1 (didn't end well) George V, George V1 to name but a few.

Harry endlessly advises people to have therapy but he's a poor advert for it himself. He's been quoted as saying he's had many years of therapy - it hasn't worked.

OK guys, I was just thinking about 2nd child syndrome in general and probably shouldn't have mentioned P Anne. John F Kennedy was second child. His elder brother never made it to The White House.

Princess Anne was down to 3rd in line after Andrew was born, then 4th after Edward. She wasn’t sidelined at 29 Elegran.

Joseanne

ParlorGames

Second child syndrome springs to mind.

Princess Anne didn't bleat on and on.
Many studies suggest a 2nd child can often be more successful and well adjusted than the first.

If Princess Anne had been a girl, she would have been in exactly the same position until Charles married and fathered William and Harry as Harry was until William was born - the heir to the heir. She had a double reason to whinge, for being pushed down a notch by her nephew, and for being "just" a girl to start with.

Anne was born in 1950, so was 32 when William was born and took her place as next in line. Harry was born in 1984, so was then 29. About the age when they were sidelined, but completely different reactions.

If he has written the truth

A big ‘if’.

His (and hers of course) idea of the truth.

Given his face is set in a permanent grimace, I think a bit of misspelling would seem apt. "Dispare" He'll diss and his family will despair. I imagine they know what's coming down the line, as indeed most of us do, so much of it's out in the public domain. After this I think they are both going to have to change the record, it's just a constant round of "woe is us" Given what's happening around the world, too much self absorption will reach a point of diminishing returns on what they are selling.

Thing is, the tabloid press and others write what they like about the Royal family so why can’t Harry write his own book? People like Piers Morgan has been getting his knickers in a huge knot over this book, but he is happy to write reams of rubbish about Harry and Meghan. Look how many books have been written about Diana. When she did write her own version of events via Andrew Morton, it was if the sky had fallen in. So good for Harry. If he has written the truth and his family are upset, so be it.

It could make a handy door stop, covered in a nice Chintz.

I can’t imagine the hurt it’s going to cause, no going back from this one Harry.

Meryl you did make me laugh. ?

My son writes for Penguin Random House and recently I saw one of his books in the local Oxfam shop. I thought he would be pleased it was being passed on. ‘Mum that’s awful they don’t want to keep my book’. ☹️ I wonder if they have charity shops in the US.

Joseanne

ParlorGames

Second child syndrome springs to mind.

Princess Anne didn't bleat on and on.
Many studies suggest a 2nd child can often be more successful and well adjusted than the first.

Princess Anne wasn’t the spare though was she?

ixion

A little soupçon of what awaits.

(That theme is picked up in) the publicity statement for the book, which says: "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."
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63413586

Crikey!

Lexisgranny

I just read it’s already being offered on advance order in the UK at half price.

It will soon be in the bargain bins in bookshops.

GagaJo

I think I'll probably read it. I won't buy it tho.

Perhaps we shouldn't comment until we've read it.

What's the lowest amount I would pay as I don't know anyone likely to buy it.

I wonder which charity shop will have the first one ?

sodapop

Sad that he still has this chip on his shoulder.

He's very well balanced, he has chips on both shoulders.

Oh dear, he has a lot of unresolved issues and really needs some professional help, doesn't he.

Did he really want to be King one day?
He should be honest with himself because I doubt he does want that and should be relieved that he is DC2 and that his brother has a family now.

ParlorGames

Second child syndrome springs to mind.

Princess Anne didn't bleat on and on.
Many studies suggest a 2nd child can often be more successful and well adjusted than the first.