In Spare, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, explains why he made the extraordinary decision to leave the United Kingdom and the Royal Family, instead choosing to live in California with his wife, Meghan Markle. He provides a brutally honest look into the life of an English prince, particularly the struggles that come from being a younger son—not the heir-apparent, but merely a "spare."
Harry talks frankly about his often difficult relationships with his family, his struggles with mental illness, and the seemingly endless harassment he suffers from the press and paparazzi. However, he also shares the high points of his life: His time in the military, his philanthropic work, and his marriage. In this guide, we’ll explore these major themes of the memoir. Our commentary will provide background information on the history of the Royal Family and insight into the monarchy’s response to the book’s publication. We’ll also compare Harry’s experiences to those of other royals, both his own family members and people throughout history.