After weeks of excitement, Prince Harry’s (38) autobiography is available in stores today. For days, the British media in particular have been quoting from “Reserve”, as the German edition is titled. The book was actually subject to a strict embargo period, but was accidentally temporarily available in Spain on Thursday. The book has been available in some bookshops in London since midnight.
In the English original, the title of the book is “Spare”. The word alludes to the idiom “the heir and the spare”. The term refers to the heir to the throne – in this case Prince William (40) – and his younger brother (Prince Harry), who could only come into play if the older one died.
Harry is said to have received an upfront payment of the equivalent of 20 million euros for the biography, which he co-wrote with ghostwriter J.R. Moehringer. He has announced that he will donate a portion of the proceeds. According to media reports, the content of the book includes a tangible argument between Harry and his older brother William – as well as Harry’s experiences with sex and drugs. Likewise, Harry railed against the British press as well as the palace and his stepmother king consort Camilla.
In several interviews with US and British TV stations, Harry has also spoken extensively about his relationships with his family in the past few days. The royal family has so far remained silent on the allegations.
