SPARE - Harry’s book release announced

[Rinoachicken]

So he’s called it ‘Spare’ and it’s being released on 23rd Jan.

Harry did some pretty shit things in the past, no doubt. But I’m seeing that he’s learned and changed himself.

And we don’t know yet what’s in his book so we can’t be judging him for what we think he might say.

I’m slowly making my way through Oprah/Prince Harry series ‘the me you cannot see.’ And he is, so far, proving that he has self- reflected (and doesn’t flinch from his past binge drinking days for example - he’s open while talking about it) and is quite changed. Very thoughtful. He’s certainly not dumb as I’ve heard a couple of other posters say. He’s quite an impressive talker.

Btw, , it’s proving to be a good mental health series. Lots of different people talking about their mental health struggles.

I am no royalist but the reason Harry is compelling is because of the change you mention

None of the rest of them dare.

What?

I was talking about Rod Liddle at that point, not anything or anyone else. His vitriolic articles about DV, Muslims etc I find vile. That's all

I wasn't talking about Harry. Just him. No need to drag other stuff into my post thanks. Ever thus with your posts as usual

I wasn't talking about Harry

But everyone else is, as it's a thread about him and his book.

And the basic point - that it's OK to hold a mixed or adverse opinion of someone based on their track record - holds good whichever person it is.

@MaulPerton , Thank you for your comment.

Your point that 'men can never be quite sure' is a reason why patriarchy is an organising principle in all societies makes me wonder if you have a philosophy degree. I haven't, but your words have set me thinking - just a little bit!

I just can’t understand Harry’s motivations for his behaviour the last few years.

He could have been surrounded by family (even if there’s been a breakdown in relations with Charles and William, which I can’t see there’s an extended family).
He could have had a safe and comfortable home.
He could have indulged any number of hobbies and interests and travel.
He could have pursued most careers or volunteering roles.
He could have had the level of status and celebrity of his choosing.

His behaviour makes no sense.

Yes, I believe you might be right.

I never questioned how the royal family live their lives. I’m Australian and looking forward to having our own Australian head of state, not the British one we have now. But other than that, I didn’t think much about the royal family nor did I think about how members of it are impacted by the way they feel duty bound to live.

Since joining mn I’ve started to think about the royal Family itself. The same dysfunctions seem to occur in every generation. There always seems to be a couple of miserable members in every generation. The Royal set up is obviously not good for every member.

I’m not even sure any more why the Royal Family would want to remain living under constrictions they do, eg having to please the public. If they gave up the current lifestyle, the are still extremely wealthy in their own right. Most of all, Kate and William’s kids would grow up to have more normal and still very privileged lives. I don’t think how they live is all that good for kids who have to grow up so publicly & with so many expectations of them.

It seems each younger generation suffers being royal. Why make your children relive your childhoods if you didn’t enjoy your own? It seems that each generation says ‘for my kids it will be different , I won’t make the same mistakes’. But by staying royal, they can’t but help repeat the past. Are the titles and other privileges worth the perpetuation of the unhappy souls that exist amongst every generation. Most grow up and ‘make the best of it’ but is that enough?

I know a sense of duty comes into this somewhere. But shouldn’t your very first duty be to your own family? You created them.

She probably has but if the writing is partisan and uninspiring, then it's all meaningless (one of those H & M awards?). Isn't she the one who caused a storm in a teacup over W & K's painting in their sitting room apropos of nothing?

The Guardian generally has a small readership and I don't think that it has improved any in recent years. Probably, quite the opposite. The reason for this is like, H & M, they specialise in producing performative high school politics, which stop being satisfying once people reach adulthood. For example, take patriarchy (I am writing a lot on this topic simply to keep the continuity of examples going over several threads). The general modus operandi of their position (shared with H & M) is: patriarchy = bad; feminism = good, misogyny, etc.. That's fine for people in their teens. However, many then progress to wanting a more nuanced understanding of the world, which the Guardian and their writers can't supply. Why is patriarchy universal and what does that tell us about our current and future societies? What about the fact that not all men benefit from patriarchy either. Indeed, this system does quite a number on most of them - they have to go to war, down the mine and they have a generally shorter lifespan than women. Or, why should half of the world's population hate the other half when these are the very people that we marry, have children with and love? I don't care about awards. I care about the quality of ideas.

Wow @MaulPerton , lecturing the Guardian on the patriarchy - you are brave

'His behaviour makes no sense'

He's just like a spurned ex, doing all the revenge is a dish served cold crap.

It's sad because he could have retained some popularity and respect if he'd behaved differently. Left all his bitterness and regret behind. Instead he has become a laughing stock with his misery memoir and chat show moaning. He'd be a perfect candidate for celeb big brother or similar.

If they answer some of my questions, I might start reading them again. Until then, I'll continue working it all out for myself 😀

I’m A Celebrity maybe? If Mike T makes loads of dosh he will probably be sorely tempted. Plus lots of chats around the campfire about his awful family.

@PrincessJanet - I do agree with you in that he and M could have a very comfortable , protected life and chosen their charities etc and made a contribution in the UK . I do like Harry for the Invictus Games - that seems to be a really good thing but he must realise he has only been able to do it because of being KC's son.

If they want squiliion's trading off Harry & the titles - well - so be it. I do think there will be a time when they have to do something more innovative and talented to keep it going. & I do think they have wrong footed at times - not sure M is as media savvy as she thinks she is - but I am one person in the Uk - so who cares what I think. ( answer - no-one) - & I expect they are aiming much more at the US market. Duchess of York earned money did she not in the US.

But it changes my life not one jot so good luck to them .

I see Omid Scobie has been acting as the ventriloquist’s dummy again.

😅

@MidnightConstellation 😁- except ( they do not collaborate with him - or did I get that wrong ) 😊

I personally don't think going on I'm A Celebrity I'd a good idea for Mike Tindall. I've been saying that the RF members aren't celebrities, so I naturally would think this. Any venture with 'I' in the title is bad news, as far as I'm concerned: it should always be 'You' the British people, or we.

If someone drops out and the parachute in a mystery guest who has dubious behaviours or history, well that will look bad - despite him not knowing about it, in advance. He is close enough to the Royals to have to represent them by not shining a light on himself.

How he can avoid coming across as entitled, in casual comments, or avoid putting his foot in it over that many weeks, I don't know.

Strange how Sarah Ferguson and Prince Harry are both so much more popular in the USA than in the UK.

It’s not something I’ve ever thought about, but I wonder, it must affect Harry that there were these rumours swirling about him, and who he looks like, and then there’s William who is the very image of his mother.
Obviously nothing can be done, it’s just the way the genetic dice fall, but if he already had issues with being the spare, it won’t have helped him.

Already there were pictures of him in the paper grabbing a pretty blonde producer or staff of I’m a Celeb, from behind very playfully. It looked very flirtatious and just not right for any married man to be doing.

Tillsforthrills

I thought that about the blonde ( in very short shorts).

Is she being blamed for what she's wearing or am I misunderstanding your post?

What does what she’s wearing have to do with anything? Absolutely nothing. It’s a hot country.

I don’t think she’s being blamed for being in short shorts but the optics of it aren’t good for him that she happened to be a pretty young blonde in shorts.

Tbf he seems like a genuine and gregarious person so I doubt he meant any harm but he should really think twice.

Ahhh ok. I understand now.

Optics very bad AFAIC. He's been caught out with this sort of thing before, I'm just surprised he could be so clueless when he absolutely knows the cameras are on him