Strangest bits in Spare…

[Motorcycleemptyness]

i haven’t quite finished it yet but I wanted to read a thread about some of the weirder bits of Spare, and I haven’t seen a thread where people were discussing those without the ‘H&M’ vs the rest of the RF debate. There are definitely some parts which have made me really question why they were included, and I was wondering if anyone else had any similar thoughts.

The inclusion of the imagery of the poppy fields, and how heroin funds the Taliban. Fair enough. We all know that. The rest of the book is one long ode to posh people taking drugs. Does Prince Harry think the cocaine he takes is gently knitted by fairies and delivered to him by unicorns? Do the drugs he takes not contribute to war and terrorism and misery across the rest of the world (and indeed misery and crime in the UK, where he is 5th in line to be monarch!) I found this quite a strange passage and I was wondering if anyone else had any thoughts, or am I just over thinking it?

Elizabeth Arden cream. ‘Mummy’s lips’. ‘Todger’. Why? But really, why? Why was this included? Why did anyone think it or commit it to paper, and then publish it? Why did I read it? Why am I typing it here? ARGH.

What he actually thinks the relationship between the royal family and the press should actually be. Only reporting true things? Someone had a photo of him taking cocaine. Dressed as a nazi. Calling his colleague a ‘P*ki’. He wasn’t happy, but it was all true. Should journalists not be allowed to report true things? Or should they only be reporting things he wants them to report? Does Andrew get to choose that too? What about everyone else?

What the actual royal family should look like. This was mind bending. He seems to be perfectly happy with the idea of the monarchy, an institution which is predicated on the idea that they’re inherently superior to the rest of us, and that’s their birth right, but seems to massively struggle to apply that to himself and William. If a monarchy is the best system, why shouldn’t the heir be treated differently to the spare? (I don’t believe it is the best system and wish we could abolish them all but I don’t understand how one can believe one but not the other!).

Anyone else have any interesting thoughts?

@MsBucket devaluing…

@Patineur
i got the impression he shoe horned in the detail about doctor accessibility to justify why he hadn’t sourced a therapist for his wife. Part of the randomness of the anecdotes is cos he’s trying to fire back on everything they’ve been called out for previously. He’s admitted he’s addicted to reading online content about himself and Meg’s. Like king Canute he thinks he can control the tides.

I would bet money that this particular bit was written by MM herself. Believe me, it has happened before in "memoirs".

Msbucket

Not sure why you’re suggesting a ‘mega thread’ or why the existence of this thread irks you. All the other posters are enjoying it very much. Thanks all the same, and thanks again to the OP.

Like this?

@KAYMACK oh i think so too, and many other bits in the book. It’s so ott it’s hilarious

Like king Canute he thinks he can control the tides.

No, King Canute didn't think he could control the tides. He was demonstrating to his courtiers that he couldn't.

Or this?

I was just astonished that she should tell Harry she's actively suicidal and can't be left alone, just before a big event that they are due to attend, knowing his own mental health is shot and his mother was killed when he was 12. Honestly., however bad you felt, you wouldn't do that. She had access to the best help available on her doorstep. I just don't buy the 'no one would help me' routine. She could have picked up the phone anytime and got seen the same day. She lived in the centre of london.

I disagree. Having been suicidal with PND (I appreciate Meghan was pregnant, so not PND), I was not in a fit state to seek help for myself at all despite having previously had mental health support for anxiety and panic attacks. DH was however, and although he/we didn't have the privilege Harry had in terms of money & contacts he was still able to get me help. I find Harry's inability to do this here frankly pathetic.

Especially as he was heading a mental health charity at the time. What a joke.

My mistake! Maybe Harry could learn something about Canutes humility in that case 😉

Hes after the throne simples. Grief where are we medieval times. it isn't me its him. let me paint him in a bad light for my starry eyed followers. Now see it all for what it is.

He's a Prince of the Realm and it's shocking that he would have no sensitivity around this situation.

Harry had a therapist on speed dial, he could have easily arranged something for his wife. Another time he let her down. When someone does that so frequently, over such serious stuff, it’s concerning

I've literally just started this!

Is courtiers a long read? I reckon I have another 1-2 days of bed rest left…

It’s an excellent read. And the perfect antidote to Spare.

Harry had a therapist on speed dial, he could have easily arranged something for his wife.

If Meghan was pregnant at the time, she must have had her own doctor and midwife. I'd think they would have been the best people to call.

‘He shut his eyes. He wanted to say no, but he didn’t want to be impolite. Or else he recognized that I wouldn’t stop. He fixed me with his ice-blue eyes and cleared his throat and in perfect gravelly Batmanese said: Hello, Harry. Oh, I loved it. Again! He did it again. I loved it even more.’

This. Another example of Harry’s pushiness, and inability to respect the boundaries of others. And his childlike glee - a bit cringe. Also, name dropping famous people, a bit try hard. Also it’s interesting he socialises in those types of circles, but is also so impressed by celebrity. There’s also a bit where he takes mushrooms and tries to encourage will Arnett to join in. Who has the sense not to join in. Think he goes on to chat to the moon

Ach @Streamside he said he was chastised at school for having zero interest in history even though the poor teacher said it’s actually about your family! He would literally have no interest in anything to do with the history of British colonialism, that’s what made the Netflix anti colonialism rant so very lol.

Also isn't this untrue? I thought the redhead gene was recessive. Meghan would have to also have it for their kids to have red hair (if they do - I couldn't tell from the arty footage in the California sun).

Was in a bookshop today, opened a copy, read the back jacket. The description of the author is weird.

How does that work when one of the principles wants to go out spontaneously?

It's double recessive - as are blue eyes.

Not everyone with 2 copies of the gene for red hair will have red hair either.

I believe Thomas Markle has hazel eyes and must carry the gene for red hair as well.

(Area I find interesting as biology teachers at school used to ask a lot if my sibling or I were adopted as we had very markedly different colouring of the sort that you would not expect to be possible if we shared the same parents. We definitely do.)