Despite the news of Prince Harry’s alleged tell-all memoir breaking over a year ago, the project has undergone extensive delays and mounting rumours that actually, it might never be published at all.
Most recently, per The Daily Mail’s Richard Eden (via The Express), Prince Harry would be adding a last-minute, additional chapter to the book which would focus on the Queen’s funeral.
“Jeffrey Archer, well-connected in the published world is saying that Harry is writing a new chapter completely,” Eden said. “We’ve had all these stories about whether the book will be delayed or whether there will be changes. From what he was saying, it will be dealt with by a new chapter that will be on the Queen’s funeral and the events surrounding it. It will give him a chance to address those stories about him being offended by not being able to wear his uniform and then not having the ER letters on his epaulettes.”
Eden then added that the book may come out “next spring rather than next month as we’ve been led to believe.” While the exact causes of the delays aren’t known, people are speculating that the Prince may be experiencing cold feet, as he comes to terms with what the release of his memoir will actually entail and how it will impact the Royal family. Some outlets are reporting that the mere concept of the book has already sparked tension, with King Charles III, Harry’s father, reportedly worrying that it will further damage his reputation so soon after taking the throne, while allegedly also driving an even bigger wedge in the rift between Harry and his brother Prince William.
The news of this memoir came over a year ago in July 2021, and was said to explore the “definitive account of the experiences, adventures, losses, and life lessons that have helped shape him,” according to a press release. It was slated to be published by Penguin Random House, along with an accompanying audiobook edition, with Harry said to be donating all proceeds earned from book sales to charity.
As for what the new author could cover in his tell-all, the focal point was believed to be the facets of his life that impacted him the most, from constantly being at the mercy of the public eye and his dedication to service to his military career in Afghanistan and his newfound love of fatherhood with his and wife Meghan Markle’s two children, Archie and Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor.
“I’m writing this not as the prince I was born but as the man I have become,” The Duke of Sussex wrote in a statement. “I’ve worn many hats over the years, both literally and figuratively, and my hope is that in telling my story—the highs and lows, the mistakes, the lessons learned—I can help show that no matter where we come from, we have more in common than we think,” 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.”
The update to Harry’s resume came mere months after he and Meghan sat down for a groundbreaking interview with Oprah back in March. Throughout the tell-all, the Duke and Duchess detailed the scrutiny and pressure that living inside the royal bubble exposed them too—from questions over Archie’s skin colour to the Institution ignoring Meghan’s cries for help—which eventually saw the pair stepping down from their senior roles in The Firm.
“All of us at Penguin Random House are thrilled to publish Prince Harry’s literary memoir and have him join the world-renowned leaders, icons, and change-makers we have been privileged to publish over the years,” Penguin Random House CEO Markus Dohle said in a statement.
“Prince Harry has harnessed his extraordinary life experience as a prince, a soldier, and a knowledgeable advocate for social issues, establishing himself as a global leader recognised for his courage and openness. It is for that reason we’re excited to publish his honest and moving story.”
As for the memoir’s name, we’ll have to wait and see.
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