Prince Harry could travel to the UK to promote his controversial new memoir, Spare, which could see palace retaliation, including having him and Meghan stripped of their Sussex titles, royal experts say.
Last night, reports claimed Harry could fly to the UK in the New Year to explain his “intent” in writing the book – which will cast a shadow over the royal family’s Christmas.
Senior royals are said to be preparing for the January 10 release of the 416-page title.
Biographer Tom Bower has warned receiving the memoir will be a defining moment for the Sussexes.
Prince Harry could travel to the UK to promote his controversial new memoir, Spare
Royal commentators said the release of Prince Harry’s book would be “not helpful” to King Charles and Camilla, the Queen.
Penguin Random House announced this year’s global publishing deal, describing the memoir as “intimate and heartfelt.”
Prince William has “hardly spoken to Harry” since news of the memoir’s title broke
Prince William “has hardly spoken to Prince Harry” since news of his brother Spare’s memoir broke, royal experts have said.
The royal family is also said to be “excited” to read the memoir, which is due to be released on January 10, and has lawyers on hand.
Prince William, 40, has barely spoken to his brother Harry, 38, since news of the book broke.
The controversial book, described as a work of “raw, unflinching honesty”, will be called Spare – a “charged” reference to his position as the heir apparent’s younger brother.
Royal author Angela Levin said she thought the palace was “excited” for the book’s release.
“They have lawyers willing to read it, but they won’t see it until it’s out. If it’s too boring, it won’t be worth the millions they’ve already paid him,” she told The Sun Online.
Details of the bombshell book were revealed and the description from editor Penguin Random House read: “With its raw, unflinching honesty, Spare is a groundbreaking publication filled with insight, revelations, self-examination and hard-won wisdom about love’s eternal power of heartache.
“Spare immediately takes the reader back to one of the most poignant images of the 20th century: two little boys, two princes walking behind their mother’s coffin as the world looks on in sadness – and horror.
“When Diana, Princess of Wales was buried, billions wondered what the princes were thinking and feeling – and how their lives would unfold from that point.”
Family members were not informed of the book’s title prior to yesterday’s announcement, while the Spanish-language version, subtitled En La Sombra, or “in the shadows,” is even more poignant.
The editors of the belated memoir have made it clear that Harry won’t shy away from sensitive issues, like the family’s decision to encourage him and his older brother Prince William to walk behind their mother Diana’s coffin.
He could also reveal which member of the monarchy he thinks made a racist comment about the possible skin color of his then-unborn son Archie, or shed some light on his strained relationship with his father and difficult times with William.
The brothers’ relationship has been difficult since Harry moved to the United States with his wife Meghan Markle.
“It’s not going to be a relaxed family Christmas, to put it that way,” a source told the Mail on Sunday.
Publisher Penguin Random House says the book is written with “raw, unflinching honesty” and is set to contain explosive new material exploring Harry’s childhood and his rift with The Firm after meeting Meghan.
A source added, “The book is a lot worse than people think.”
Bower told The Sun: “This book really is all or nothing. I assume King Charles was warned that any revenge will not be pretty.
“All King Charles can really do is withhold the titles from his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet. Ultimately, I suppose he could take the titles away from Harry and Meghan too, but that’s pretty drastic.
“I don’t know what else he can do. If it’s as bad as I think it is, then Harry and Meghan have gone completely rogue.
He added that the best thing the royal family can do in this scenario is to sever ties with the couple.
The title presumably refers to Harry being the “heir” to Prince William’s “heirs”, but has been translated to sound more ominous in other languages.
In Spain it’s called In The Shadow, in Sweden The Other and in Denmark The Reservist.
Harry will speak the audio version himself, but voice actress Emily Woo Zeller warned, “Taking words from a page and making them sound like dialogue is a skill. I don’t know if Harry has that ability.’
Another source close to Prince Harry told the Telegraph last night that the Duke of Sussex wrote his controversial memoir for himself rather than being a “takeover of his family”.
It has been described by connoisseurs of the manuscript as “a lovely read” that readers from all walks of life will identify with.
The experience of addressing his past struggles was said to have been cathartic for Prince Harry.
The source said: “You can’t always live your life trying to make your family or siblings happy.
“You must choose your own happiness.”
It comes after it was reported on Friday night that Prince Harry will not be returning to the UK to spend the first Christmas since the death of Queen Elizabeth II with his family amid the controversy.
Sources close to the couple told The Mirror that relations between Harry and his wife Meghan and the rest of the royal family are “close to rock bottom” and they may turn down an invitation to spend the festive time with Harry’s family.
It was hoped that relations would thaw somewhat after the Queen’s death, but sources told The Mirror that the couple had “no plans” to travel to the UK for Christmas.
The rest of the royal family were reportedly surprised by the memoir’s title.
Another source told The Mirror the book could mean “the end” of any reconciliation efforts between the Sussexes and the royals: “This book could mean the end of any relationship Harry wants to have with his family, it’s desperately sad.”
An initial release date was slated for “late 2022” to capitalize on the lucrative Christmas market, but the book won’t hit shelves until January 10 – ostensibly as a mark of respect after the Queen’s death and , rumored, due to changes last minute requested by the Duke.
A spokesman for the king declined to comment on the book. But it is understood the royal household have already been warned that the £28, 416-page book is “critical of everyone and everything” and they “fear” it.
The memoir has already topped the Amazon charts in the UK and US and reached number two in Canada, although publication is still a few months away.