The Duke of Sussex leaves his father and brother out of the dedication in the UK paperback release of his memoir, fuelling further speculation on strained family ties.

In a move likely to reignite discussions around the strained relationships within the British royal family, Prince Harry has chosen to omit any mention of his father, King Charles, and his brother, Prince William, in the newly released UK paperback edition of his memoir Spare. The omission follows the original dedication, which only featured tributes to his wife Meghan Markle, their children Archie and Lilibet, and his late mother, Princess Diana.

The new version of the memoir, released on October 24, 2024, retains its original contents but has drawn attention due to the absence of any reference to the senior royals in its foreword. This continues the narrative of tension between the Duke of Sussex and his immediate family following his departure from royal duties and relocation to the United States in 2020.

The original Spare, which hit bookshelves in January 2023, caused a media storm with its candid account of Harry’s life as the “spare” to William, the “heir.” The autobiography delves deeply into his unresolved feelings about the death of his mother, his struggles with mental health, and his anger towards the UK press. Notably, the memoir also included revelations that painted his relationships with Charles and William in a less-than-flattering light.

Despite the original version’s controversial reception, the paperback edition has maintained its record-breaking popularity, continuing to resonate with readers. Spare holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest-selling nonfiction book, a testament to the global curiosity surrounding Prince Harry’s perspective on his royal upbringing and subsequent fallout with his family.

Harry’s foreword, which still reads “For Meg and Archie and Lili… and of course, my mother,” makes no mention of his father or brother, further highlighting the divide that has persisted despite King Charles’ efforts to maintain the image of a united monarchy.

The timing of the paperback release coincides with the publication of The Good, The Bad & The Rugby—Unleashed, a new book by Mike Tindall, husband of Zara Tindall, Prince Harry’s cousin. Tindall’s book offers a stark contrast in tone, as it focuses on his rugby career and life within the royal family, avoiding the explosive disclosures seen in Spare.

In Spare, Prince Harry reflected on the difficult dynamics between him and his family, particularly with his brother. He admitted, “There are some things that have happened, especially between me and my brother, and to some extent between me and my father, that I just don’t want the world to know. Because I don’t think they would ever forgive me.”

Yet, Harry also acknowledged that some of the content in his memoir may have already crossed the line of no return, saying, “You could argue that some of the stuff I’ve put in there, well, they will never forgive me anyway.”

Since the release of the hardcover edition, Harry has continued to keep a distance from the royal family, choosing to focus on his new life in California with Meghan and their children. The couple, who relocated to the United States after stepping down as senior royals, have since settled into a quieter life, balancing family time with high-profile projects. Recently, they purchased a property in Portugal, signalling a return to Europe amidst ongoing tensions with the British royal family.

Much of the strain is believed to stem from Harry’s public criticism of the monarchy, which he has accused of mishandling both his and Meghan’s exit from royal duties. In March 2023, King Charles evicted the couple from their UK residence at Frogmore Cottage, a symbolic act that further underscored their separation from royal life.

Meanwhile, Harry’s brother, Prince William, remains a central figure in the monarchy. He and his wife, Catherine, Princess of Wales, continue to uphold their duties, portraying a united front for the royal family, though the rift between the two brothers remains a point of media interest.

The release of Spare in its new paperback format may not have introduced new revelations, but the exclusion of King Charles and Prince William from the dedication serves as a subtle yet powerful reminder of the ongoing tensions. While the Duke of Sussex has expressed his frustration with the media’s intrusion into his life, the public’s fascination with the royal family, particularly the fractured relationship between Harry and his relatives, shows no signs of abating.

As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex continue to carve out their life outside the institution, one thing remains clear: the deep-seated family dynamics that Harry has publicly shared are far from resolved. With his memoir continuing to attract attention globally, the royal family’s strained relations will likely remain a topic of discussion for some time to come