So much for craving the privacy, Prince Harry is writing a memoir
First came Oprah, then the Netflix doco. Now Harry is writing a book, not about the life into which he was born, but about ‘the man I’ve become’.
Prince Harry is writing a memoir, not about the princely life into which he was born but about “the man I’ve become.”
His publisher, Random House, says it will be “intimate and heartfelt”. He will give up some of the privacy he was said to crave when he left Royal life to talk about becoming a husband and a father to two children.
Random House expects to release the book, currently untitled, late in 2022.
While it is unclear how much exactly Harry is being paid by Random House, it is reported he may have received an advance of at least $20 million on top of the royalties from sales. The same publisher paid the Obamas $65 million in a joint deal. Prince Harry will donate proceeds to charity.
“I’m writing this not as the prince I was born but as the man I have become,” Harry said 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. 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 publisher described the memoir in a statement as “the definitive account of the experiences, adventures, losses, and life lessons that have helped shape him.”
Harry has to date been the most forthcoming of the Royals on the strain of being born into wealth and privilege.
He has been the subject of public curiosity and sympathy, especially since the death of his mother Diana.
He was for many years the best loved of the young royals.
His life changed course when he met American Meghan Markle. She is African American and he credits her with what has been described as his “woke journey”.
The book will cover his lifetime in the public eye from childhood, including his dedication to service, the military duty that twice took him to the frontlines of Afghanistan, and the creation of the magnificent Invictus Games.
“Prince Harry will offer an honest and captivating personal portrait, one that shows readers that behind everything they think they know lies an inspiring, courageous, and uplifting human story,” the publisher said.
Harry told Oprah Winfrey in a mega-deal interview earlier this year that “I was trapped, but I didn’t know I was trapped … My father and my brother, they are trapped.”
Last month, Meghan published the picture book The Bench through Random House Books for Young Readers.