Prince Harry denied writing about private family affairs in his memoir, Spare.
In an interview with The Guardian, published on Sunday, September 14, the Duke of Sussex opened up about the words he penned regarding his personal life in the 2023 book.
“I don’t believe that I aired my dirty laundry in public. It was a difficult message, but I did it in the best way possible,” Harry, 41, told the outlet. “My conscience is clear.”
The book’s 416 pages, read by Us Weekly just prior to its January 10, 2023 release date, included Harry’s version of multiple arguments with his brother, Prince William, over the years, as well as his side of the story when it came to tension between his wife, Meghan Markle, and his brother’s wife, Princess Kate, plus his take on his relationship with his father, King Charles III.
Harry and Meghan Have Not Received a ‘Personal Apology’ From Royal Family
“It was a series of corrections to stories already out there. One point of view had been put out and it needed to be corrected,” Harry added. “I know that [speaking out] annoys some people and it goes against the narrative.”
Harry also revealed in the interview that Markle, 44, once told him how telling the truth “is the most efficient way to live,” noting that he took the advice on board. “It is the thing I always fall back on. Always,” Harry said. “And if you think like that, who would be stupid enough to lie? It takes up too much time and effort.”
Spare centered on how Harry believed he was a “spare” member of his family due to his rank falling behind his older brother in line to the throne. “Two years older than me, Willy was the Heir, whereas I was the Spare,” Harry wrote in the book. “This wasn’t merely how the press referred to us — though it was definitely that. This was shorthand often used by Pa and Mummy and Grandpa. And even Granny.” (Harry referred to Charles, 76, his late mother, Princess Diana, who was 36 when she died in 1997, his late grandfather, Prince Philip, who died at the age of 99 in 2021, and his late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, who died at the age of 96 the following year.)
Prince Harry’s Ups and Downs With the Royal Family Over the Years
Harry’s new interview also touched on his recent visit to England where he was reunited with Charles after almost two years of estrangement. A source who spoke exclusively to Us on Saturday confirmed that the “very emotional” meeting was sparked “by a handwritten letter from Harry earlier this year.” (Harry and Markle relocated from the U.K. to Los Angeles in March 2020.)
Harry told The Guardian of his return to the U.K., “I have enjoyed the week. I have always loved the U.K. and I always will love the U.K. … I have been able to spend some time with people that I have known for so long. It is hard to do it from far away.”
The outlet also noted that Harry indicated that he would “like to spend more time in the U.K.” with Harry remarking, “Yes I would. This week has definitely brought that closer.”
