And it looks like the Duke of Sussex will keep all subjects on the table, judging by the announcement from publisher Penguin Random House. It said the book will cover Harry’s life thus far, taking in his decade with the military as well as his delight at starting a family.
Harry himself acknowledged the ground he wants to cover, saying: “I’ve worn many hats over the years.” His stated goal in opening up once more, — promising to include “the highs and lows” of being a senior royal — is unity. His story, he said, will show that “no matter where we come from, we have more in common than we think.”
Officially, the palace is keeping quiet for the time being. But that’s par for the course, as it wouldn’t normally respond to something it hadn’t seen.
News of the book came as a surprise to some royal-watchers, and it prompts the question: Why write it at all?
But that’s the point. The couple always said they wanted to continue working, using their platform to raise awareness to causes dear to them but on their own terms.
Harry’s choice to set the record straight in a book is interesting. It shows that, despite everything, he still doesn’t feel he’s been able to truly share his side of the story. Certainly, the choice of medium is telling. A TV interview can be stage-managed but it happens in a moment. You can prepare for it, but you can’t change it afterward. Putting their life into words on a page allows a person more time.
Apart from the statement that it will be a “definitive” and “intimate” account of Harry’s life experiences, little else of the book’s contents is known at this point.
But it means we now have two royal moments to look forward to in 2022 — the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and, later in the year, Harry’s life story in print. Some may worry that the book’s publication will distract from his grandmother’s achievement of 70 years on the throne, but that is highly unlikely.
WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING?
Bill Clinton turned down tea with the Queen.
Charles and Camilla head to Cornwall.
Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall undertook a short tour of England’s southwest this week. The three-day visit to Devon and Cornwall is an annual event in their diaries and saw them visit places such as the historic Exeter Cathedral and the Isles of Scilly. They met with people and organizations aligned with the causes they champion, like sustainability and community development. The trip came a few days after Camilla’s 74th birthday last Saturday.
FEATURED PHOTOS
But by releasing photographs to the public, the hope from the family is that the children will be left alone to grow up in as normal circumstances as possible. However, the third in line to the British throne delighted royal fans with a few appearances cheering the England men’s football squad at Euro 2020 matches alongside his football-loving father in recent weeks.
Can’t get enough? Check out our video of some of George’s cutest moments below:
FROM THE ROYAL VAULT
As Tokyo 2020 gets underway, here’s a fun one… did you know Princess Anne once competed in an Olympic Games?
Yes, the Princess Royal rode the Queen’s horse, Goodwill, during the mixed three-day event at the 1976 Montreal Summer Games in Canada. In the intervening years, she has continued to bring her experience as a veteran Olympian to her role as a British member of the International Olympic Committee. She also helped London successfully bid for the 2012 Games as director of the London Organising Committee and brought the Olympic flame from Athens to London for its tour of the country.
Ahead of this year’s Games, Anne, who is also president of the British Olympic Association, sent her best-wishes to Team GB and recalled “the anticipation and excitement of stepping onto the Olympic stage” in her own sporting history. The royal also acknowledged that, while Tokyo 2020 will be different as a result of the pandemic, the circumstances shouldn’t stop athletes from taking a moment to reflect on their achievements.
ROYAL TEA BREAK
The past few days have seen a heatwave engulf the UK, with many hitting the beaches and parks with some ice-cold drinks to cool down. Former royal chef Darren McGrady revealed one of the refreshing beverages he used to serve up for royals in a YouTube video this week.
“We served Pimm’s a lot at Buckingham Palace in the summer at garden parties and things,” McGrady said. “And it’s no secret that the Queen is a lover of gin. It’s a gin-based drink and with a splash of lemonade in there … it really is a super-refreshing drink.”
The chef said the secret was “one-part Pimm’s and two or three parts Sprite or lemonade” and joked that “some members of the royal family measured it the other way round and I’m not saying who.” Sounds delish. Are you going to give an authentic Buckingham Palace Pimm’s a go?