Title of Prince Harry's New Memoir Was Just Announced and Here's the Hidden Meaning

Ever since Prince Harry announced that he was penning a tell-all in July 2021, there has been a lot of mystery surrounding its publication. At the time of the announcement and in the year-plus since, little has been revealed about the book, from its title of it to the release date.

Royal insiders have been speculating about what the Duke of Sussex will be putting in the highly anticipated book, especially after he and his wife Meghan Markle fled the country, made a home for themselves in America, and revealed shocking details about their life in England in an explosive interview with Oprah. After the death of Harry's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, there were even more questions about the book, with many insiders claiming that the Duke of Sussex was trying to pull it from publication altogether, despite receiving an estimated $20 million advance.

This week, a huge announcement was made about the highly anticipated book. Not only has the title of the book been released, which might be a major clue as to what to expect inside the pages, but also the release date. 

For several months, insiders maintained that the book would be published sometime in 2022, likely right before the holiday season. However, after the death of the Queen, there was some chatter that Prince Harry wanted to push back the publication date and rewrite some of the content.

On Thursday, Penguin Random House confirmed that the book wouldn't be released in time for the holidays, revealing that the book, initially scheduled for late 2022, would actually be released on January 10, 2023. 

Penguin Random House also unveiled the title of the book Spare. The nickname is meant to insinuate that Harry is the "spare" prince, while his brother, Prince William, is the "heir," set to take over the throne after his father, King Charles. They also added that the book, which is set to be published in 16 languages, is "full of insight, revelation, self-examination, and hard-won wisdom." 

"Penguin Random House is honored to be publishing Prince Harry's candid and emotionally powerful story for readers everywhere," Random House CEO Markus Dohle said in a statement. "He shares a remarkably moving personal journey from trauma to healing, one that speaks to the power of love and will inspire and encourage millions of people around the world."

"The choice of the title Spare is not only provocative but also lends into Harry's sense of humour too," Nick Ede told The Daily Mail's FEMAIL. "Although it is a bold choice, it's a brave one and it sets out immediately that this book will be anything but showing that Prince Harry is a spare."

"The use of the singular title is one of empowerment and strength. A singular word for a book title is empowering and using spare is a way of reclaiming it and making it a powerful empowering tool for himself and for the reader," Ede added.

The cover photograph, taken by Ramona Rosales, looks strikingly similar to recent portraits of Harry's wife, Meghan Markle, depicting the royal in a low-key light. "The cover image is not one of him looking dapper and polished but one of him looking, relaxed, stripped back and quietly confident," Ede said. "It doesn't rest on a stylised image but one that is him looking honestly into the camera ready to bear his vulnerabilities and story to the media."

"The detailed close up image of Harry shows him as a strong handsome man with an ernest face looking point blank at the camera is on a mission to tell his truth. He is not suited and booted or too polished, with his tee and now familiar leather necklace on show. It's a strong commanding image of a man who's been through a lot and who's here to tell that story of grief and love in equal measure," Ede added.

Exactly what is inside the pages is still a mystery, and according to strong sources, even the Prince himself is second guessing his choice to write the book. "Prince Harry has gotten cold feet about the memoir's contents at various points, book industry executives with knowledge of the process told The Times, and the project has been shrouded in rumors, delays and secrecy," The New York Times writes on Thursday.