Prince Harry’s frustration at being labeled ‘spare’ destroying his ties with royal family, experts say
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Prince Harry is struggling with his role as the "spare" to the British throne years after stepping away from royal duties in 2020, and experts say the label continues to affect his life.
Royal experts revealed that the emotional weight of being second in line to the throne has haunted Harry, leaving him in the shadow of his older brother, Prince William.
The term "heir and the spare" has long defined their separate paths, with Harry’s frustration over his place in the royal family still very much a defining issue, as reported by People.
Experts reveal Prince Harry's struggle with his ‘spare’ status
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams spoke to Fox News Digital, shedding light on how deeply Prince Harry is affected by his status as the "spare" to the throne.
Fitzwilliams stated, "Harry is obviously obsessed with being ‘the spare'. Harry believes ‘the institution,’ as he calls the monarchy, had it in for him and Meghan Markle. The palace, he believes, briefed against him. His accusation that Queen Camilla was particularly ruthless in this regard was a red line for King Charles."
This perspective follows comments from Ingrid Seward, royal author and editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, who reported that the "spare" label has overtaken Harry's life to such an extent that he has turned it into a career.
Seward noted that Harry’s 2023 memoir, 'Spare', which exposed family rifts and secrets, is a prime example of how this label has shaped his public narrative.
Seward added, "He chooses to be the victim and wreak vengeance on the slights he thought he had suffered; on his family, on the press and through the courts. [It’s] how Harry chose to see himself."
In Tom Quinn’s new book, 'The Secret Life of Royal Servants', it’s revealed that senior palace courtiers once tried to explain to Harry that his position was, in fact, more freeing than his brother William’s.
They suggested that William would be burdened with the intense responsibilities of being the future king and would never escape those pressures. However, sources told Quinn that Harry was unable to see things from that perspective.
Royal author Robert Lacey shared his insights with 'Good Morning America' in 2020, revealing that Prince Harry’s discontent with being labeled the royal "spare" only intensified over time.
Lacey noted that Harry’s frustration grew as it became clear that his brother, Prince William, and his wife, Kate, were being groomed to eventually ascend the throne.
Lacey explained, “The British royal system can be very cruel, and it's particularly cruel to the spare. Harry came to realize… that he was typecast as the court jester, the No 2.”
Author reveals why 'spare' label continues to deeply affect Prince Harry
Christopher Andersen, author of 'The King', added that there are clear reasons why the label continues to deeply affect Prince Harry.
He emphasized that Harry was always overshadowed by his older brother, which had a lasting impact on his self-esteem. “Within the royal family, the focus was always on William. Outside the royal family, the focus was always on William," Andersen explained.
He went on to describe how, at social or ceremonial events, Harry was frequently sidelined, sometimes even ignored. “When these things happen to you beginning in infancy, obviously you're going to build up some resentment." he said.
Andersen also recalled a particularly poignant moment when the Queen Mother invited the brothers for tea at Clarence House.
“[She] made Harry sit in a separate corner alone while she chatted with William,” Andersen recalled. “William was going to be king. William was the important one. The royal family traditionally has never been known for either its sensitivity or subtlety."
He pointed out that Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, attempted to counteract this treatment, but even she recognized the difficulties Harry would face.
"Diana tried to change that… But frankly, Diana knew that Harry would have a tough row to hoe," Andersen reflected.
Andersen concluded, “She hoped he could find his way and not be suffocated in the looming shadow of his big brother… Then, imagine how that was amplified by Diana's death just days before Harry's 13th birthday. It wasn't long before the adorable scamp was unfairly turned into a drug-using problem child. And as we know from Harry’s book, to some extent, that was engineered by the palace to make Charles and Camilla look good."
