From left: Prince Philip, Prince William, Charles Spencer, Prince Harry and Prince Charles walk behind Princess Diana’s casket at her 1997 funeral.Photo: JEFF J. MITCHELL/AFP/Getty
Prince Harry’supcoming memoirwill give insight into his experience walking behind his motherPrincess Diana’s coffin as a 12-year-old boy.
Spare,the Duke of Sussex’s bookthat will bereleased on Jan. 10, 2023, is set to include the poignant day that the Princess of Wales was laid to rest.Prince Harrywalked with his brotherPrince William(who was 15), father then-Prince Charles, grandfatherPrince Philipand uncle Charles, Earl Spencer through the streets of London during the 1997 funeral.
The book’s publisher Penguin Random House said on the memoir’swebsite, “It was one of the most searing images of the twentieth century: two young boys, two princes, walking behind their mother’s coffin as the world watched in sorrow — and horror. As Diana, Princess of Wales, was laid to rest, billions wondered what the princes must be thinking and feeling — and how their lives would play out from that point on.”
Prince William, Princess Diana and Prince Harry.Getty
Prince Harry, 38, previously recalled the emotional difficulty of walking behind his mother’s coffin.
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In the 2017BBC documentaryDiana, 7 Days, Harry said it was a “group decision” that led to the two brothers joining the procession.
“But before I knew it, I found myself with a suit on with a black tie and a white shirt, I think, and I was part of it,” he said. “Genuinely, I don’t have an opinion on whether that was right or wrong. I am glad I was part of it. Looking back on it now, I am very glad I was part of it.”
Princess Diana.Tom Wargacki/WireImage
In the same documentary,Prince Williamrecalled it as a “long and lonely walk.”
Princess Diana’s brother told PEOPLE and 2017’sThe Story of Dianathat he didn’t believe that “tiny” Harry should have made the grueling walk.
“I was just so worried — what a trauma for a little chap to walk behind his mum’s body,” Charles, 9th Earl Spencer, said. “It’s just awful. And, actually, I tried to stop that happening, to be honest.”
The book jacket of Prince Harry’s memoir ‘Spare’.PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE
Penguin Random House says of the Duke of Sussex’s memoir, “For Harry, this is that story at last.”
“With its raw, unflinching honesty,Spareis a landmark publication full of insight, revelation, self-examination and hard-won wisdom about the eternal power of love over grief,” they added in the book description.
Prince Harry’s author biography states he “is a husband, father, humanitarian, military veteran, mental wellness advocate, and environmentalist. He resides in Santa Barbara, California, with his family and three dogs.” Harry and his wifeMeghan Marklerelocated to her home state in 2020 after stepping back as working members of the royal family. They have two children — son Archie Harrison, 3, and daughter Lilibet Diana, 1 — and three dogs — Guy, Pula and Mia.
Prince Harry.Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Proceeds from the book and audiobook are expected to be donated to charity.
“This is one of several donations I plan to make to charitable organizations, and I’m grateful to be able to give back in this way for the children and communities who gravely need it,” he said in a statement.
According to the official website forSpare,Prince Harrywill also give £300,000 to WellChild. He has been a patron of the organization that works to support seriously ill children and their families since 2007, and Meghan joined him at the annual awards in2018and2019.
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He continued, “I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to share what I’ve learned over the course of my life so far and excited for people to read a firsthand account of my life that’s accurate and wholly truthful.”
source: people.com
