Prince Harry’s memoir Spare proved to be an explosive read, packed with plenty of startling revelations about the duke’s strained relationship with his brother Prince William. However, it seems the book could have been even more controversial

Prince Harry claims that he left secret details out of his tell-all memoir Spare – in order to protect Prince William.

According to the Duke of Sussex, who has now left British soil after a flying visit for the Invictus Games service, the candid book could well have been two volumes had he chosen to divulge all.

Harry did not meet up with William, or their father King Charles, during his trip to the UK, despite reports that both senior royals were invited to attend the service on May 8.

Harry and William’s relationship has been fraught for some time – and tensions seemed to emerge way before the duke’s move to the US. In Spare, Harry details some of the more testing moments in their brotherly relationship – including an alleged physical altercation and a heated showdown at Prince Philip’s funeral.

As explosive as such revelations undoubtedly were, Harry claims there was much more he could have said, with the incidents referred to in Spare apparently being just the tip of the iceberg…

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Estranged brothers Prince William and Prince Harry ( 
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In Pictures via Getty Images)
Mere days after Spare was published, Harry claimed he’d purposefully avoided mentioning some anecdotes about his father and brother, as he feared they would never forgive him if he revealed them.

He stated the original manuscript for his book was twice the length of the final draft and many details about interactions between him, Charles and William were edited out as there were things he didn’t want the world to know. Harry admitted he had 50 Zoom calls with his ghostwriter and sometimes struggled to decide which details to include and which to leave out.

Harry told The Telegraph: “It could have been two books, put it that way. And the hard bit was taking things out.” The Duke added: “There are some things that have happened, especially between me and my brother, and to some extent between me and my father, that I just don’t want the world to know. Because I don’t think they would ever forgive me.”

William and Harry with their father King Charles ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
At the time of Spare’s release, an expert claimed that Harry and Meghan’s decision to “air their dirty laundry in public” has damaged the idea of a family monarchy. Since sensationally quitting as senior working royals, the Sussexes have made a series of controversial claims against their royal relatives – especially King Charles and Prince William.

Speaking on the Mirror’s Pod Save The King podcast, Dr Owens, author of the new book After Elizabeth: Can the Monarchy Save Itself? also suggested it’s time for the monarchy to drop its family image. He explained: “The story is a slightly tragic one as it has damaged this idea of a family monarchy. This idea that this is a united group who embody, if you like, the best of British family life.

“Originally King Charles’ reign was going to be based around him being supported by his two trusty lieutenants – William and Harry. But when that went so disastrously wrong in early 2020 because of Harry and Meghan’s decision to leave Britain, it really put paid to that vision of the family monarchy.

“And then of course we’ve had the Sussexes airing their dirty laundry in public for the best part of three years – and again it has done much damage to that narrative of happy family life.”

Harry did not meet with his father or William during his London visit this week. Ahead of the Invictus Games service, a spokesperson said: “In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not The Duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, it, unfortunately, will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full program. The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”

A version of this article was published in November 2023.