The Duke of Sussex, 40, has often referred to himself as a “spare” – the title of his 2023 memoir – as his older brother William, 42, has always been destined to be king.
A royal author previously revealed Harry’s words to William about him being in line to the throne when he was nine.
Prince Harry’s words to brother Prince William about being king
As reported in the MailOnline, royal author Ingrid Seward revealed Harry’s words in her book My Mother and I.
Apparently, Prince Harry said to his brother: “You’re going to be king; it doesn’t matter what I do.”
Ingrid also reflected on Prince Harry‘s upbringing. She claimed that William and Harry’s father King Charles probably “regrets” not being “stricter”.
You’re going to be king; it doesn’t matter what I do.
Speaking to Fox News last year, Ingrid said: “He went on with [Princess] Diana’s freestyle of bringing up children.
“Diana allowed them to do, more or less, what they wanted, which was very fashionable in those days. You let children just get on with things.
“I think Charles probably regrets that he wasn’t a bit stricter, because it might’ve given both boys a few more boundaries.”
Prince Harry on being a ‘spare’ in his 2023 memoir
In his 2023 memoir Spare, Prince Harry opened up about giving himself that title.
He recalled how Prince William’s side of their bedroom at Balmoral Castle – where the family often spent their summers – was bigger.
Harry wrote: “My half of the room was far smaller. Less luxurious. I never asked why. I didn’t care. But I also didn’t need to ask.
“Two years older than me, Willy was the Heir, whereas I was the Spare. This wasn’t merely how the press referred to us—though it was definitely that. This was shorthand often used by Pa and Mummy and Grandpa. And even Granny.
“The Heir and the Spare—there was no judgment about it, but also no ambiguity. I was the shadow, the support, the Plan B.”
Prince Harry added: “I was brought into the world in case something happened to Willy. I was summoned to provide backup, distraction, diversion and, if necessary, a spare part. Kidney perhaps. Blood transfusion.
“Speck of bone marrow. This was all made explicitly clear to me from the start of life’s journey and regularly reinforced thereafter.”
Now years on, William and Harry’s relationship is fractured. Harry and wife Meghan Markle moved to the US in early 2020. Since then, Harry and William have reportedly become more distant.
