Spare

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He didn’t have to be the spare. He could have done something with his life. Couldn’t advance in the military because he couldn’t pass the texts so he had to leave, didn’t go to college, so complaining is his only means of employment.

Make that: Couldn’t advance in the military because his location was outed to the press. Complicated by William’s issues with being outranked by his younger brother.

I’m guessing that you mean “tests” not “texts”. If so, I’m guessing that you might know something about “complaining” as an “only means of employment “.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think I've ever commented on a royal's thread, but what a depressing title. If that's his narrative, it's very sad.

I agree! that title packs a punch.

Yep. The multiple meanings — especially in British English— make that a powerful and inspired title.

[Anonymous]

Hard to believe there will be any new information. Meghan and Harry have been talking/complaining since they left England.

[Anonymous]

I’ll read it - the library copy but that’s true of almost all my reading these days, I only buy books that come highly recommended and aren’t available by inter library loan. Then I usually donate the book with the request that they add it to the collection for others to enjoy.

Many of us have the painful experience of being the less favored child. Some of us have the very painful experience of being the scapegoat in a dysfunctional narcissistic family model. But I can’t imagine the experience of being the spare to the heir of a monarchy. For all the folks who glamorize monarchy, it seems to me to be a terrible life - no room to breathe, to make mistakes, to just be. All the money in the world does not outweigh mental health, and there is little in the way that Royal children are raised that is conducive to positive mental health even before you add in the parental dysfunction and particular tragedies endured by Wills and Harry. I feel sorry for both of them.

[Anonymous]

I hope it will help bring some mental health issues to light - he is the only Royal who has been honest about his struggles.

[Anonymous]

Rooting for Harry!

[Anonymous]

On the one hand, I think it’s unseemly for him to write a book and spill the tea. I like Harry and Megan but thought the Oprah interview was a mistake.
On the other hand, I will definitely read this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:On the one hand, I think it’s unseemly for him to write a book and spill the tea. I like Harry and Megan but thought the Oprah interview was a mistake.
On the other hand, I will definitely read this.

Could you say more about why you feel this is unseemly? Harry has had stories written about him since his birth. Many of the articles and books that focus on him and on Meghan seem based on something other than well-documented facts — in ways that seem quite toxic.
His father authorized a book, followed by his mother’s authorized book, presumably so they could set some things straight and have some voice in telling their own stories. I can certainly understand, and even applaud wanting to tell your own stories, in your own way — particularly in a case like Harry’s, where people are making entire careers from their own, often highly biased versions.

So, I’m applauding the idea of an autobiography, although at this point, obviously it’s in general terms, since I don’t yet know any specifics about the content.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think I've ever commented on a royal's thread, but what a depressing title. If that's his narrative, it's very sad.

Well it's not a narrative he came up with! Heir and a spare is an old phrase describing an ancient phenomenon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think I've ever commented on a royal's thread, but what a depressing title. If that's his narrative, it's very sad.

Well it's not a narrative he came up with! Heir and a spare is an old phrase describing an ancient phenomenon.

I understand, but he could have named it anything. Obviously it’s significant to him, which i find is depressing.

[Anonymous]

I will purchase the audiobook.

[Anonymous]

So excited for this memoir! I pre-ordered the book. Interested to learn his story from his perspective. Up until now I’ve only learned about his family and his life through a filtered tabloid perspective. I want to know more about his time in the military and his travels to Africa and memories of his mom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hope it will help bring some mental health issues to light - he is the only Royal who has been honest about his struggles.

No he's not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ll read it - the library copy but that’s true of almost all my reading these days, I only buy books that come highly recommended and aren’t available by inter library loan. Then I usually donate the book with the request that they add it to the collection for others to enjoy.

Many of us have the painful experience of being the less favored child. Some of us have the very painful experience of being the scapegoat in a dysfunctional narcissistic family model. But I can’t imagine the experience of being the spare to the heir of a monarchy. For all the folks who glamorize monarchy, it seems to me to be a terrible life - no room to breathe, to make mistakes, to just be. All the money in the world does not outweigh mental health, and there is little in the way that Royal children are raised that is conducive to positive mental health even before you add in the parental dysfunction and particular tragedies endured by Wills and Harry. I feel sorry for both of them.

Harry used to be the favorite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He didn’t have to be the spare. He could have done something with his life. Couldn’t advance in the military because he couldn’t pass the texts so he had to leave, didn’t go to college, so complaining is his only means of employment.

He needs to use Edward and Anne as examples. They had some troubles as young adults and newly married but then they bucked up and carried on and didn't complain and did their jobs.

Prince Harry is a prince because his great grandfather was the spare.