Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have any of the other members of the royal family commented on the book?

They don’t comment directly. That’s the point of the book. Instead they stories sourced to “Royal insiders”.

Anonymous wrote:Have any of the other members of the royal family commented on the book?

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s a well-written book that offers a nicely detailed perspective on someone who has been featured in —and exploited by — the press since birth. It’s good to hear something of the reality that’s behind the public processions and decades of magazine covers. As an American, I have little sense of the deeper meanings of having a monarchy — let alone being born into one, so that’s of general interest. More to my taste, though, are the reflections of someone with a very strange life, replete with trauma and everything from opulence to neglect — who finds reasons to grow and change. There’s history, glimpses of some of the truths beyond the fairy tale surface, psychological struggles and insights, and exploration of bigger issues such as military service, and, importantly, the powers of a noxious press. Something for almost every reader.

The biggest surprises for me were the powers behind the throne— the grey men who both influence and serve as doorkeepers to the royal family (especially the press); and the realization that Camilla — whose ever-present influences molded what Diana’s marriage and family could become — has been in bed with the press since before Harry was born, and continues to aid and abet quite noxious stuff.

It’s a good read.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know there’s a locked thread on this but that didn’t actually discuss the book at all. I thought it was a good read. Insightful. Reflectful. Sad. He’s definitely much brighter than I’d ever given him credit for, regardless of whether a ghost writer pulled it together.

I’m British by the way. I was most surprised by:

1) the fact that the Royal family apparently make so many decisions based on what they think the public expects (like announcing Harry and William were each other’s best men, or that Meghan was in labor when she’d already given birth)
2) that Charles was even more distant as a father than you’d expect (no hugs even when telling his son his mother had died) but also way more intellectual and educated (like Harry he’s been portrayed in the press as dumb)
3) just how obsessed they all are with the media coverage

What did you think?

So you are taking him at his word.

It’s his interpretation of events, but yeah, it’s not a work of fiction. He’s smarter than I gave him credit for but he’s not that smart to fabricate his entire life!

Not his whole life but certainly some parts!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know there’s a locked thread on this but that didn’t actually discuss the book at all. I thought it was a good read. Insightful. Reflectful. Sad. He’s definitely much brighter than I’d ever given him credit for, regardless of whether a ghost writer pulled it together.

I’m British by the way. I was most surprised by:

1) the fact that the Royal family apparently make so many decisions based on what they think the public expects (like announcing Harry and William were each other’s best men, or that Meghan was in labor when she’d already given birth)
2) that Charles was even more distant as a father than you’d expect (no hugs even when telling his son his mother had died) but also way more intellectual and educated (like Harry he’s been portrayed in the press as dumb)
3) just how obsessed they all are with the media coverage

What did you think?

Curious about why you read the book, esp given you are British. Are you a supporter of the royals? Ambivalent but curious?

Actually I’ve always been against the Royals (let’s abolish the monarchy!), but have moved closer toward ambivalency recently (eh, they are harmless enough and support tourism). I was in the UK when the queen died and the hysteria was over the top. Same when Diana died. But I was curious about what was really going on and felt that it’s actually fairly historic that he’s writing about his experiences. Also, the British tabloids have been horrific over the years (I personally know people impacted by phone hacking) and the tit for tat culture of why things do or don’t get into the tabloids tallys with my experience so I was interested in what he had to say about that and what evidence he had. I’m also interested in the intersection between royalty and government and who is really in power re these things - he only touches on that but it’s fascinating, nonetheless.

OP again. I should add that I felt quite sympathetic toward Harry after reading the book, despite my usual indifferent dislike of the monarchy.

NP: See, I feel kind of sympathetic for how he's grown up and been treated, but him saying he wants to repair and maintain a relationship with his family after he aired all their dirty laundry just doesn't seem like a smart move. He called his brother Willy over 150 times in the book. Pretty condescending. Why would William want to have a relationship with someone who talks that way about him? Harry seems to lack some social skills or ... something.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread will be locked up faster than you can say Harry Meghan William Kate Charles Camilla Crazies!

Anonymous wrote:This thread will be locked up faster than you can say Harry Meghan William Kate Charles Camilla Crazies!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know there’s a locked thread on this but that didn’t actually discuss the book at all. I thought it was a good read. Insightful. Reflectful. Sad. He’s definitely much brighter than I’d ever given him credit for, regardless of whether a ghost writer pulled it together.

I’m British by the way. I was most surprised by:

1) the fact that the Royal family apparently make so many decisions based on what they think the public expects (like announcing Harry and William were each other’s best men, or that Meghan was in labor when she’d already given birth)
2) that Charles was even more distant as a father than you’d expect (no hugs even when telling his son his mother had died) but also way more intellectual and educated (like Harry he’s been portrayed in the press as dumb)
3) just how obsessed they all are with the media coverage

What did you think?

So you are taking him at his word.

It’s his interpretation of events, but yeah, it’s not a work of fiction. He’s smarter than I gave him credit for but he’s not that smart to fabricate his entire life!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know there’s a locked thread on this but that didn’t actually discuss the book at all. I thought it was a good read. Insightful. Reflectful. Sad. He’s definitely much brighter than I’d ever given him credit for, regardless of whether a ghost writer pulled it together.

I’m British by the way. I was most surprised by:

1) the fact that the Royal family apparently make so many decisions based on what they think the public expects (like announcing Harry and William were each other’s best men, or that Meghan was in labor when she’d already given birth)
2) that Charles was even more distant as a father than you’d expect (no hugs even when telling his son his mother had died) but also way more intellectual and educated (like Harry he’s been portrayed in the press as dumb)
3) just how obsessed they all are with the media coverage

What did you think?

Curious about why you read the book, esp given you are British. Are you a supporter of the royals? Ambivalent but curious?

Actually I’ve always been against the Royals (let’s abolish the monarchy!), but have moved closer toward ambivalency recently (eh, they are harmless enough and support tourism). I was in the UK when the queen died and the hysteria was over the top. Same when Diana died. But I was curious about what was really going on and felt that it’s actually fairly historic that he’s writing about his experiences. Also, the British tabloids have been horrific over the years (I personally know people impacted by phone hacking) and the tit for tat culture of why things do or don’t get into the tabloids tallys with my experience so I was interested in what he had to say about that and what evidence he had. I’m also interested in the intersection between royalty and government and who is really in power re these things - he only touches on that but it’s fascinating, nonetheless.

OP again. I should add that I felt quite sympathetic toward Harry after reading the book, despite my usual indifferent dislike of the monarchy.

NP: See, I feel kind of sympathetic for how he's grown up and been treated, but him saying he wants to repair and maintain a relationship with his family after he aired all their dirty laundry just doesn't seem like a smart move. He called his brother Willy over 150 times in the book. Pretty condescending. Why would William want to have a relationship with someone who talks that way about him? Harry seems to lack some social skills or ... something.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know there’s a locked thread on this but that didn’t actually discuss the book at all. I thought it was a good read. Insightful. Reflectful. Sad. He’s definitely much brighter than I’d ever given him credit for, regardless of whether a ghost writer pulled it together.

I’m British by the way. I was most surprised by:

1) the fact that the Royal family apparently make so many decisions based on what they think the public expects (like announcing Harry and William were each other’s best men, or that Meghan was in labor when she’d already given birth)
2) that Charles was even more distant as a father than you’d expect (no hugs even when telling his son his mother had died) but also way more intellectual and educated (like Harry he’s been portrayed in the press as dumb)
3) just how obsessed they all are with the media coverage

What did you think?

Curious about why you read the book, esp given you are British. Are you a supporter of the royals? Ambivalent but curious?

Actually I’ve always been against the Royals (let’s abolish the monarchy!), but have moved closer toward ambivalency recently (eh, they are harmless enough and support tourism). I was in the UK when the queen died and the hysteria was over the top. Same when Diana died. But I was curious about what was really going on and felt that it’s actually fairly historic that he’s writing about his experiences. Also, the British tabloids have been horrific over the years (I personally know people impacted by phone hacking) and the tit for tat culture of why things do or don’t get into the tabloids tallys with my experience so I was interested in what he had to say about that and what evidence he had. I’m also interested in the intersection between royalty and government and who is really in power re these things - he only touches on that but it’s fascinating, nonetheless.

OP again. I should add that I felt quite sympathetic toward Harry after reading the book, despite my usual indifferent dislike of the monarchy.