A certain book

IIRC, Harry was well known for partying and taking drugs at a fairly young age - long before the age at which William met the Middletons. I would certainly agree that William has the greater intellect.

William did manage to graduate from St Andres University with a 2.2/

He started doing Art History which was where he met Katharine.

It was not really his thing so he talked to his friends about dropping out.

At the ancient Scottish universities students do three subjects in the first year,

When William talked about giving up, his friend Katharine suggested he should do geography, one of his other subjects which he did well in.

And so, eventually William graduated with a geography degree.

William studied at St Andrews and his girlfriend’s name was Catherine. And I understand he gained a 2:1

I have always thought that Geography, a BA or a BSc, is good choice of uni degree subject for lots of different careers. Good advice from his girlfriend.

I like this tale

Prince Charles was educated at Gordonstoun, Scotland, where he achieved five O-levels (GCSEs) and two A-levels - a B in History and a C in French C. He then went on to Cambridge University where he achieved a 2:2 degree in History. Legend has it his bodyguard who was present at all lectures with the young prince sat the exams too - and got a First

It’s pretty obvious that H wouldn’t have got into university on his own merit. I imagine William’s academic success rankles. IIRC Diana had barely an O level to her name and Charles’s academic career wasn’t exactly stellar.

Germanshepherdsmum

It’s pretty obvious that H wouldn’t have got into university on his own merit. I imagine William’s academic success rankles. IIRC Diana had barely an O level to her name and Charles’s academic career wasn’t exactly stellar.

I didn't get any sense that Harry wanted to go to university. I agree with the poster on Mumsnet who said Charles should have gone to Eton and Harry to Gordonstoun.

Diana used to joke that she was as thick as planks but she often hid her light under a bushel. She had more musical ability than Charles but didn’t get the chance to show it.

Harry did manage to get into Snadhurst which required two A levels.

However there was a suggestion that his Art teacher at Eton had given him rather more help than she sjould have done to enable him to pass A level Art.

www.csis.org/blogs/brexit-bits-bobs-and-blogs/did-russia-influence-brexit

So if Harry is all for the more physical, outdoorsy, simple life, why have the past two years in sunny California, - swimming, polo matches etc, - not made him happier, but even more bitter?

I would agree with Calendargirl's assessment of the marriage Joseanne.

GSM.

I think that William coped better with Diana’s death being older, more rational, more grounded. Harry being younger, being the ‘spare’ was probably more spoiled and indulged by his mum, and after she died, that was just gone.

Throughout the book, Charles always refers to Harry as ‘darling boy’, and clearly loves him dearly, but it doesn’t fill the gap left by Diana. Harry obviously adored Tiggy, who was good for both boys.

I think when Camilla became a big part of Charles’ life, Harry felt even more sidelined, although both boys seemed pleased to see their father happy, albeit reluctantly.

And yes, if only Harry could have met someone with a stable and loving family background, (i.e. the Middletons) as his life partner, to love, support, comfort and inspire him, we wouldn’t be reading and discussing a book called ‘Spare’, which is a word I don’t think Harry necessarily thought of so much until it was probably ‘helpfully’ pointed out to him .

Yes, Calendargirls points 5 and 6 were very true.

I like this thread now; those who have just read the book giving a good insight, those who haven't feeling free to ask questions, and those who just like to ponder and chat.

Joseanne

Yes, Calendargirls points 5 and 6 were very true.

I like this thread now; those who have just read the book giving a good insight, those who haven't feeling free to ask questions, and those who just like to ponder and chat.

Thank you.

There are so many other things that came up in the book, but far too many to comment on.

If you get the chance and are interested in the RF, I would recommend reading it.

There are so many other things that came up in the book, but far too many to comment on.
Yes, but good to explore them within this thread.

My copy is stuck with DD. She is a slow reader but she has just had covid and 3 little ones to run round after. Hopefully not too long before I read it.

Yes, but good to explore them within this thread
I lost the next bit which said as and when they crop up.

eazybee

Let's knock down the Coliseum while we are at it and other ancient buildings throughout Europe; the pyramids and Temples, all built by slave labour, and most off the castles and Cathedrals in England and Wales, built by serfs.
It will make them all feel so much better.

Crikey, you're turning it into a full-time job, eazybee
Do I get lunch breaks? Double time on Sundays and Bank holidays?
I'd have to bulldoze half of Bristol to start with.

We cannot re-write history, we can only learn from it, Grany
One way would be to clamp down on modern-day slavery in the UK.

Sorry, ignore my post.

The thread has become an interesting chat.
I haven't read the book so am interested in comments from those who have.

I may read it if someone lends it to me.

merlotgran

Diana used to joke that she was as thick as planks but she often hid her light under a bushel. She had more musical ability than Charles but didn’t get the chance to show it.

Yes indeed, and she swan, played tennis, danced, and was quite sporty generally, but didn’t like horse riding or shooting, although I think she went to shooting parties.

Joseanne

So if Harry is all for the more physical, outdoorsy, simple life, why have the past two years in sunny California, - swimming, polo matches etc, - not made him happier, but even more bitter?

That’s an interesting question Joseanne. Normally I would think about what has happened in a person’s life in those last two years and consider any changes that could have made him unhappy and bitter, but that would bring us straight back to Meghan, and as posters have been called ‘haters’ (horrible, dismissive word) for thinking maybe Meghan with her own troubled family life, might have something to do with it, I shall refrain from making that connection.

merlotgran

Diana used to joke that she was as thick as planks but she often hid her light under a bushel. She had more musical ability than Charles but didn’t get the chance to show it.

You can tell from Diana’s handwriting and also the way she wrote that she was far from stupid.
I imagine that women of her breeding weren’t valued for being intelligent.
I think that it probably was something that you were expected to hide.
Don’t scare the horses (or outclass the men)

The fastest selling non-fiction book ever- by a mile.

Guinness Book of Records.

Lucrative eh?

Hello Whitewave! I haven’t seen you for a while, in fact, I only mentioned you to Callistemon yesterday.
I hope all’s well

Yes, we wondered if you were ok, Whitewave.
Hope you didn't have the lurgy that's going round.

Sooooo, went for a coffee in Waterstones and took the opportunity to read the first few chapters of Spare.

Some very sweet things written about Charles. Definitely loving towards his dad.

I'm definitely reading the rest somehow despite being unwilling to pay for the book.