Prince Harry's forthcoming memoir, titled "Spare," officially set for release on January 10, unintentionally found its way onto the shelves of Spanish bookstores last Thursday. As soon as tabloids caught wind of these copies, bearing the local title "En La Sombra" or "In the Shadow," they quickly disappeared from the shelves, snapped up by eager readers.
Spanish bookstores have either sold out of the book or removed it from their shelves, but Prince Harry's unfiltered revelations have already started to trickle out to a global audience. The Guardian reported that it obtained an early copy of the book, revealing that it contains an account where Prince Harry alleges that his brother, Prince William, physically threw him to the ground in an altercation.
Below, TIME highlights the most significant revelations reportedly featured in "Spare."
Harry's Candid Drug Use: Prince Harry openly acknowledges experimenting with cocaine, magic mushrooms, and cannabis. While his previous encounters with substances have been discussed in the media, his unreserved admission is still startling. He writes that as a "deeply unhappy" 17-year-old, he would try "anything that altered the pre-established order." He reveals his use of psychedelics for both recreational and therapeutic purposes, as well as his consistent use of cannabis since his teenage years. Prince Harry states that these substances allowed him to escape to "another world where the red mist didn’t exist."
Losing His Virginity: Among the lighter stories in the memoir, Prince Harry recounts the "humiliating episode" where he lost his virginity to an older woman. He describes her as someone who "liked macho horses" and treated him "like a young stallion." Following their encounter, she reportedly "spanked my ass and sent me away." This escapade took place in a field behind a busy pub, prompting a bodyguard to investigate reports of Harry taking drugs.
Military Service in Afghanistan: Prince Harry reflects on his time as a helicopter pilot in the British army, disclosing that he was responsible for the deaths of 25 people in Afghanistan across six missions. He characterizes these casualties as "chess pieces removed from the board" and does not express pride or shame in his role. His remarks have sparked criticism from anti-war activists and military personnel, with some labeling them as "ill-judged."
Learning of Queen Elizabeth's Death: Prince Harry shares his experience of learning about Queen Elizabeth's passing. He found out about her death via the BBC news website, as his father, now King Charles III, called him to convey the news. His father instructed him to come to Balmoral, the royal family's residence in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, but without Meghan. Prince Harry reveals that he received the news on his phone while descending in a plane, and he also received a message from Meghan, which confirmed the news. This revelation highlights the unconventional way he learned about his grandmother's passing.
Discomfort Over Meghan's Love Scene: Prince Harry humorously recalls watching Meghan in a "love scene" during the early days of their courtship while she was acting in the legal drama "Suits." He joked that the experience was a "mistake" and even quipped that he would need electric shock therapy to erase the memory from his mind.
Observations on Balding: Prince Harry acknowledges the genetic predisposition to male baldness in the royal family. He remarks on his brother Prince William's balding, describing it as "alarming" and more "advanced" than his own. He also notes that William's resemblance to their mother, Princess Diana, had faded over time.
Visiting the Tunnel Where Diana Died: Prince Harry discusses a visit to the tunnel in Paris where his mother, Princess Diana, died in a car crash in 1997. He reveals that he asked his driver to take him there during a trip to Paris in 2007. This unusual request did not provide him with the closure he sought, and he ultimately considers it a "very bad idea."
Prince Charles's Response to Diana's Death: Prince Harry writes about his father's response to Princess Diana's death. He recalls that Prince Charles did not hug him when they learned of her passing. While acknowledging that his father was not typically expressive with emotions, he appreciates the rare moment of comfort when Prince Charles placed his hand on Harry's knee and assured him that "It's going to be OK."
These revelations offer a deeply personal and at times startling glimpse into Prince Harry's life and experiences, challenging the public's preconceptions about the British royal family.
