Why Prince Harry’s Wedding Recap in ‘Spare’ Has a Royal Biographer Thinking a Follow-up’s Coming
Will there be a follow-up to Spare? It’s a question many have asked since Prince Harry released his January 2023 memoir. The Duke of Sussex hasn’t, at least not yet. But he has suggested there’s certainly enough material (more on that later). What clinches the idea of a Spare sequel for one royal biographer is Harry’s brief reflection in the book about marrying Meghan Markle.
The few pages in ‘Spare’ about Harry’s wedding point to a potential follow-up
Sure, Harry opened up quite a bit about his and the Duchess of Sussex’s May 2018 nuptials in Spare. The now-39-year-old recalled everything from what went through his head as the bride walked down the aisle to behind-the-scenes drama.
However, it totaled only a handful of pages, which, according to royal biographer Robert Hardman, could mean there’s more to the story.
“If you get to the bit about his wedding to Meghan, it boils down, really, to about four or five pages,” Hardman told UsWeekly. “Now, as an author, that says to me one thing and one thing only—part two might be on its way.”
A previous report claimed this is exactly what has Harry’s fellow royals worried another book is coming. Meanwhile, there’s also reportedly the possibility of a more conciliatory Spare follow-up, an idea Harry’s said to be considering. Plus, throwing away the idea of Meghan authoring her own memoir.
Around the time of Spare’s release, the father of two remarked his memoir “could have been two books.”
“The hard bit was taking things out,” Harry said, noting certain stuff would never be shared publicly.
“There are some things that have happened, particularly 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.”
Another memoir would likely ruin Harry’s chance of having a relationship with the royal family for good
A Spare follow-up wouldn’t be good for the royal family’s ongoing feud, according to Pandora Forsynth. Why? Because the monarchy wasn’t “put in the best light” in the first book.
“So if they were to do a follow-up,” the commentator told Sky News Australia, “given the fact that they’re now financially independent on very, very good terms because Spare did so well initially, I don’t see why they would.”
Spare quickly topped bestseller lists, becoming the fastest-selling non-fiction book ever. Harry and Meghan’s net worth is estimated to be $60 million.
“It would almost be throwing themselves under the bus by doing that, in terms of trust,” Forsynth said. “But, of course, many people would read it. And if they want the money, then that’s obviously the way to do it.”
No new memoir from Harry has been confirmed as speculation about a Spare follow-up and a memoir from Meghan continues.
Prince William is still ‘wounded’ by what Harry said in ‘Spare’
Nearly 16 months since Spare hit shelves, and Harry’s relatives haven’t forgotten about his bombshell claims. According to Hardman, Harry’s older brother, Prince William, is still very much hurt by it all.
“People are still very wounded, particularly Prince William, that these intimate, private childhood family moments all spilled out in Harry’s book.”
To be fair, Harry did share more unflattering anecdotes about the Prince of Wales, 41, than anyone other relative. He recounted an argument that supposedly came to blows, a disagreement about facial hair (yes, really), and failed “clear the air” sessions.
“It’s not what Harry said; it’s the fact that he said it, and he gave away so many secrets,” Hardman said. “And he was, effectively, at the time of the Queen [Elizabeth II]’s death, you know—he was taking notes.”
