American media have reacted with disdain to Prince Harry’s ongoing PR push to promote his new book, Spare, with some outlets calling it a “whining tour,” while pundits say it’s the “final nail in the coffin” for his relationship his family.
Harry’s memoir was not due to be officially released in a coordinated worldwide release until Tuesday, but some Spanish publishers jumped ahead and released the book today, sparking an unplanned binge eating.
Early translations of this version of the book, along with excerpts obtained by The Guardian and Page Six, show Harry using the book to renew and recharge his attacks on his brother Prince William and his wife Kate.
Harry will appear in two interviews this weekend – one on ITV in the UK and another on CBS in America – and he has also sat down with ABC’s Michael Strahan for a third interview which will air on Monday morning.
Where there was once sympathy for Harry and Meghan in the American media, exhaustion and skepticism now seem to reign.
The sharp description of Harry and his book in the Daily Caller. Columnist Leena Nasir called him “neutered” and said Americans were tired of hearing about his plight.
The Daily Beast, which previously appeared to support the couple, said Harry’s attempt to blame Wills and Kate for the Nazi uniform was “extraordinary” and showed a refusal to accept responsibility for the incident
Fox headlined a royal commentator calling it the “final nail in the coffin” for Harry
New York Post columnist Miranda Devine said Harry is a “baby” who “can’t even take responsibility for his own mistakes.”
Kinsey Schofield, an American royal journalist and podcast host who championed Harry’s book before she knew its contents, returned her support, calling herself an “idiot” for supporting him
The Daily Caller columnist Leena Nasir was brutal, calling Harry “neutered” and saying “even those who initially supported his plight are sick of hearing about it”.
Harry’s book goes on sale in the US on Tuesday
“Prince Harry is still chatting to the press about his royal sob story and recently appeared on 60 Minutes to lament his family breakdown.
“Harry and Meghan Markle began their departure from the royal family by saying they wanted privacy, but then took every opportunity to complain about exploitation by the press – to the press.”
“Harry takes every opportunity to whine about his family and doesn’t seem to get enough airtime to fully satisfy his desire to make the headlines.
“Even those who initially supported his plight are sick of hearing about it, but ’60 Minutes’ has been trending,” she wrote.
Fox News Digital headlined Thursday morning, citing royal writers and pundits: “The final nail in the coffin”.
“It’s impossible to imagine that Harry’s book will not be just another nail in the coffin of his relationship with the rest of the royal family. It could be the last nail in the coffin.
“If Harry really wants his father and brother back in his life, he has a very peculiar way of showing it,” said author Christopher Andersen.
Media blitz: In the UK, Harry sat down with ITV’s Tom Bradby to promote the novel
In the US, he spoke to ABC’s Michael Strahan, who has seen an expanded edition of the book
Harry also gave an interview with Anderson Cooper to CBS 60 Minutes. It will be broadcast on Sunday
Hilary Fordwich, a British royal commentator who is a regular contributor to US shows, added: “Literally and figuratively, Harry sold his soul as he was paid by Netflix to carry his soul.
“Since the royal family will not be acquitted and have not sold their souls, we can gather from many that they are ‘completely exhausted’ and ‘tired’ of the misinformation provided by Harry.”
Kinsey Schofield, an American royal journalist and podcast host who championed Harry’s book before knowing its contents, returned her support.
In an article for The Express, she said: “As of July 2021, I have defended Prince Harry’s ‘raw, unabashed self-examination’ now known as ‘Spare’. This was not without criticism from my colleagues… what an idiot I was.
“The victim narrative has become a lucrative part of the Sussex brand, but can you imagine being perfectly content that it’s your legacy? For three years, Harry and Meghan moaned and moaned about their treatment at the institution that literally gave them their platform,” she said.
Miranda Devine of the New York Post tweeted: “What a baby Harry is. Can’t even take responsibility for his own mistakes. It’s his big brother’s fault.
Harry and his wife Meghan appeared in a six-episode docuseries on Netflix
“Whined about William breaking his necklace and giving him a well deserved nudge. Considers any criticism of toxic Meghan a press brew.’
Even The Daily Beast, which has shown support for the couple in the past, brought skepticism and shock to its coverage of Harry, who claimed his brother and Kate told him to wear the Nazi costume.
The Beast’s article, which called it “extraordinary,” said: “Harry’s dramatic attempt to implicate his brother and Kate by rekindling the scandal contrasts with what seems like an attempt in his recent Netflix documentary series.” looked to show that he had taken responsibility for the episode and learned from it.’
Immediately following their split from the royal family, there was considerable support for Meghan and Harry in the US.
The couple settled in plush Montecito, befriended megastars and billionaires Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah, and made occasional public appearances.
However, in recent months they have launched a veritable advertising boom with their Netflix series, Spotify podcast, memoir and various interviews in magazines and TV shows.