Prince Harry has always been known as the ‘spare’ to the heir and the cruel nickname is known to have been the major motivation behind the frustration expressed in his bombshell memoir, ‘Spare’
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Harry and William’s potential reunion discussed by Schofield
A cruel nickname given to Prince Harry as a baby was always resented by the Duke of Sussex – and became the “underlying theme” of his bombshell memoir in which he aired his frustrations.
The nickname has reemerged as the Mirror reports Harry has revealed who gave him the moniker of ‘spare’ after his birth. A recently revisited snippet from his memoir that it was his father, Prince Charles, who first coined the term.
And it was the Guardian newspaper that highlighted Harry’s longstanding resentment towards his nickname and how it motivated the “frustration” in his memoir. The paper stated: “Harry’s resentment of being the ‘spare’ is the underlying theme of his book, through chapters on his childhood, his schooling, his career as a royal and in the British Army, his relationship with his parents and brother, and his life with Meghan through courtship, wedding and marriage, to their own experience of parenthood.”
READ MORE: ‘Difficult’ Prince Harry Invictus Games decision risks making Royal Family look ‘churlish’
Charles’ rather dismissive nickname for his second son was inspired when the late Princess Diana gave birth to Harry. Her then Husband Charles is said to have responded to her: “Wonderful! Now you’ve given me an heir and a spare – my work is done.”
In other news, reports suggest that Prince Harry’s first visit upon returning to England in May will be to his father, Prince Charles, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.
The Duke of Sussex has not been shy about his eagerness to mend their relationship, and an insider within the Royal circle claims Harry will head directly to visit his ailing father immediately after touching down. Jetting in from his Californian residence for his charitable Invictus Games commitment, he’s said to be keen on making the most of his visit by spending time with family.
An exclusive source told The Mirror: “Harry’s first priority when he comes to England is to see his sick dad. He is pretty focused on this. It will be his first port of call when he comes off the plane to try and spend as much time with King Charles so that they can build bridges, and enjoy each other’s company like before.
“Harry knows it will be awkward, but it’s a time to put pride and differences to one side. He is coming over for his charity work, which is so important to him so he will juggle his schedule accordingly, but seeing his dad will come first. He’ wants the family to get back to the way they were and is going to be making extra effort with his brother Wills too, as difficult as it may be. Now, more than ever, with Kate’s cancer diagnosis too, Harry wants them to know he is there for them.”
Last time Harry was in the country, he had a brief 30-minute meeting with his father who was on the brink of starting cancer treatment. Notwithstanding the brevity of the visit, Harry was said to be appreciative just for the opportunity to see him.
Prince William and Kate Middleton are reportedly striving to mend bridges with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, says an insider. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s strained relations with the Royal family, particularly with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, have been well-documented.
Royal commentator Tom Quinn believes that while William and Kate are making efforts for reconciliation, Meghan is not yet ready to move forward. In a exclusive chat with the Mirror, Quinn shared: “There has been a shift here since Kate’s illness Harry and Meghan do feel they need to extend an olive branch, but Meghan’s sense of grievance is still preventing anything really meaningful happening. Illness often brings warring family members together, and there have been hopes at Kensington Palace that Kate’s illness might do it. Harry would like a reconciliation, but supports his wife completely and until she feels that the Royal family have been sufficiently nice to her and grovellingly apologised for the past – it’s not going to happen.”
