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?

It must be majorly awkward because she has enough perspective to know that she is put on a pedestal which she does not qualify for but it is in her every interest to encourage it. Those love rituals are so tricky, you can generate the one-sided obsession but once it starts getting annoying, you don't have much control over the consequences.

She is a hustler, not a grafter. She hasn't done a thing to deserve to cash in on Diana's reputation by trying to associate herself with her.

I thought it was interesting Meghan kept her first date with H very short claiming a prior dinner appointment. Very classically ‘The Rules’ (which she apparently used as a strategy) & ‘always leave them wanting more’. Packs a powerful punch, esp when you’re as gorgeous as she is. It also gave her ‘credit’ & ‘power’ over so could call him later etc.

Yes I picked up on that too.

I think the weirdness over the 'she's just like Diana' is going to backfire on them. The lock of hair, the graveside 'connection', the constant comparisons just feel so forced. Much better to emulate Diana, and have others draw the comparison rather than constantly trying to cash in on Diana's legacy.

@Wheresthebeach the ‘gurgle of recognition’ baby Archie gives to Tyler Perry’s ‘Diana the huntress’ painting or similar, too. @MonsoonMadness interesting you noted too, I imagine ‘The Rules’ would work like a dream on Harry…

They don't really want to lift a finger. It's all fancy dinners and photo ops reached by private jets and armchair activism via the internet and ghost writers.

The only time Meghan did stir a literal pot at the Grenfell kitchen, she was warmly received and praised. However, they are not born philanthropists but quite vengeful and critical and occasional bullies.

They would have been better off being honest at the start. We are leaving to make money. We are writing books and putting out podcasts to make money. None of that fake philanthropy front and emotive statements about family privacy and how they still love family.

Just seen the Jimmy Kimmel 'kids' story The Prince and the Penis. He is now being utterly ridiculed.
twitter.com/JimmyKimmelLive/status/1615176712471601153

Much better to emulate Diana, and have others draw the comparison rather than constantly trying to cash in on Diana's legacy

IME it's always wise to do the best you can and leave others to make any flattering connections going

See also the Mandela claims, the cabin crew anecdote and more ...

Funny you should mention that because Meghan did date according the ‘Rules’, she had been doing so since college.

Ohhh, the Rules. Yes, of course she did.

How mean, @bakalava , have you forgotten Meghan's work with sex workers? What terrified, trafficked woman wouldn't want a message on a banana from a real life Hollywood princess?

To be fair to Harry, though, I think tangible, hands on, physical work on a project involving conservation could have been the making of him. Therapy through connecting to the natural world in a real way, doing something physical to take himself out of his head, getting away from the rich and useless Sloany set, living a simpler life abroad, becoming a man in his own right. I think he was desperate for his Africa dream - who takes someone they've only met a couple of times to Botswana for a third date? He clearly needs to be led, is a chronic co-dependent, and isn't much of a self starter, but the right person partnering him and showing him the way could have worked wonders on him and done a lot of good for charitable causes.

To be fair to Harry, though, I think tangible, hands on, physical work on a project involving conservation could have been the making of him. Therapy through connecting to the natural world in a real way, doing something physical to take himself out of his head, getting away from the rich and useless Sloany set, living a simpler life abroad, becoming a man in his own right.

Absolutely. This is my view too. He needs to get busy doing - that is how he will find his personal purpose which in turn will lead to healing. The endless talking/thinking/brooding and doing 'pretend good' clearly is not good for him.

I agree with this. She was only around five foot three at her tallest, as a young woman. When elderly she was much smaller, five foot one or less probably. William is really tall, and has to stoop so much to kiss her that she is supporting herself with her hand. Shoulders stiffen with age too.

Interesting that 'The Strangeness' is recognised across the Atlantic and by a fairly influential comedian like Jimmy Kimmel.

I'd agree to Harry needs to be doing something.
And you know what there are hundreds of charities he could have become involved with including things like Historic England / Scotland, National Trust. King Georges Fields Foundation.
He could have had a very nice life as the 'spare' while doing stuff that interested him both in the UK and across the Commonwealth.

I just cannot get why he gave it up. And I think one day he will wake up and think why did I do that?

🤣🤣🤣 too funny, Harry must have known he was in for a ribbing over his todger.

Same for me, along with the rheumatoid arthritis. My parents didn’t hug me either until I was an adult and started giving them a little hug goodbye. They were very loving and affectionate, just not huggers. I didn’t hug my friends either, until adulthood. It just wasn’t what anyone did. My DH is upper class and his Grandmother with him was just like the Queen in the image with William, kissed on the cheek but not hugged.
I still don’t hug much, unless someone is upset. I only hug a few, very close friends, my DH and my teenage children.
I think I am a warm person, a lot of hugging is fake affection.

I'm not sure...laughing at himself doesn't seem like one of his skills...

In the past he seemed to have a sense of humour. So do think he's dumped it in the book to get people talking but also it's one less embarrassing thing that anyone can hold over him. He cannot be blackmailed by someone saying - I'll tell the world you had a frozen nob or you had sex in a field.

I don’t think it’s nice to speculate. I don’t recall the pictures when Meghan had her second, but she still puffiness and postpartum weight when she had her first child. Which is perfectly normal.

Yes I think so too, she definitely looked like a new mother after she had Archie. I find all the conspiracy stuff around the births of both children q disturbing. Harry’s not the sharpest tool in the box, that’s what I put his versions of events down to, he probably hadn’t a clue what was going on

I agree, @Eyerollcentral
Meghan was pregnant and had her babies - however, the odd stories about the births are down to Harry.
He's not a reliable narrator, and at least on one occasion was clearly as high as a kite.

Lol completely right!

This.

He could have actually had a better life than William. Much less responsibility but with the great privileges that being the King's son/King's brother would bring.

What a silly man.

I agree! The wealth, fame, status and privilege with less responsibility. He could have had the most amazing life.
Imagine choosing projects and getting to work on them like that. So many wonderful opportunities and doors opened that the rest of us could only dream of.