New book by Harry ‘as written by Meghan’
Prince has been secretly writing memoir for almost a year
PRINCE Harry has been secretly writing a tell-all memoir for almost a year, it was revealed last night.
He has signed a deal for the book, which threatens to be as explosive as his Oprah Winfrey interview with wife Meghan and is set to hit shelves next year.
The royal family will be braced for further painful revelations from Harry, 36, who has agreed to write about his childhood, his life in the public eye, marriage to Meghan, 39, and their family life together. The book will also cover the couple’s decision to quit as senior royals last year and make a new life in the US with their children Archie and Lilibet.
Harry said: ‘I’m writing this not as the prince I was born but as the man I have become.
‘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.
‘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 book will give Harry another opportunity to speak about his strained relationship with Prince Charles and Prince William. News of the memoir came as a shock to the royal households last night. Sources close to Charles admitted they were ‘surprised’.
It is understood they did not know Harry was to publish a book. Clarence House declined to comment and Buckingham Palace also maintained an official silence but one royal source told the Mail they did not believe anyone had been told in advance. Another insider remarked tartly: ‘A book by Harry, as written by Meghan.’ One source revealed news of the book had provoked ‘much eye-rolling’. ‘I think everyone is just tired of being angry when it comes to those two,’ the source said. ‘They have spent the last 18 months doing everything they promised [the Queen] they wouldn’t do – making a living off their previous lives and status as members of the royal family. It’s depressingly predictable, unfortunately.’
Harry’s suggestion that he would be writing about his ‘mistakes’ and the ‘lessons’ he has learned also raised eyebrows.
Royal sources said they believed that the prince had ‘never been one to willingly admit’ any mistakes and had spent the last three years ‘blaming everyone except himself and his wife’ for the breakdown in relations with his family.
Harry, who is expected to write about his mother Princess Diana and about his mental health strug-controversial gles following her death, has signed a deal with publisher Random House and has reportedly been working with a ghostwriter – JR Moehringer, who worked on tennis star Andre Agassi’s autobiography.
Penguin Random House said it has bought the global rights to the memoir and audiobook, expected to be published in late 2022. It said it would be ‘an intimate and heartfelt memoir from one of the most fascinating and influential global figures of our time’ and the ‘definitive account of the experiences, adventures, losses, and life lessons that have helped shape him’.
Chief executive Markus Dohle said: ‘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.’
Sources said the book would have attracted a huge advance, although Harry has said he will donate the proceeds to charity.
Since moving to the US, Harry and Meghan have signed lucrative contracts with firms including Netflix and Spotify. Harry has accepted jobs including ‘chief impact officer’ for a life coaching firm and ‘commissioner on disinformation’ with a Left-wing think-tank.
‘It’s depressingly predictable’