Prince Harry’s latest move is causing a stir among royal commentators. The paperback edition of his best-selling memoir, Spare, is set to hit the shelves on October 22, coinciding with King Charles and Queen Camilla’s royal tour of Oceania. This timing has raised eyebrows, with experts questioning whether the book’s release could overshadow the royal tour.
King Charles and Queen Camilla will embark on their tour of Australia and Samoa to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). This trip marks the first public engagement for King Charles since he revealed his cancer diagnosis. The timing of Spare’s paperback release has led to concerns that it might distract from the significance of the royal tour.
Royal Correspondent Cameron Walker and Digital Royal Editor Svar Nanan-Sen discussed the implications of this timing on The Royal Record podcast. Walker pointed out the potential red flag: “The release date of this paperback, right in the middle of CHOGM, raises questions. Will it overshadow the King’s work during the tour?”
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However, there’s a notable aspect of the paperback edition that might mitigate this concern. Unlike typical re-releases, this edition of Spare will not include any new material. Nanan-Sen suggested that this decision could be seen as an olive branch. He explained, “The lack of new content could reduce the book’s potential to distract from the royal tour. Unlike other releases that often come with additional revelations, this one seems designed to minimize disruption.”
The comparison to Sarah Ferguson’s decision to reschedule an engagement in Australia out of respect for the King underscores the sensitivity surrounding the royal tour. Despite the paperback’s release, it appears Harry’s choice to avoid adding new content might help in balancing the public’s attention between the memoir and the royal events.
As the release date approaches, all eyes will be on how Prince Harry’s memoir and the royal tour unfold. Will the paperback’s timing prove to be a strategic misstep, or will it blend seamlessly with the royal activities? Only time will tell.
