As Spare, Prince Harry’s much-discussed memoir hits shelves in paperback, fans are revisiting the touching dedication that captures the essence of the Duke of Sussex’s journey. The paperback edition became available in the U.S. on October 22, with the U.K. release following shortly on October 24. Penguin Random House confirmed that this new version remains true to the original, maintaining all the heartfelt elements, including Prince Harry’s emotional tribute to his family.
The dedication reads, “For Meg and Archie and Lili… and of course, my mother,” honoring his wife Meghan Markle, their two children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3, as well as his late mother, Princess Diana, who passed away in a tragic car accident in 1997. Princess Diana’s influence and memory run deeply throughout the memoir, which was first published in January 2023.
At the start of Spare, readers are also met with a powerful quote from William Faulkner’s Requiem for a Nun: “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” This line reflects the theme of the memoir, as Prince Harry delves into his complex relationship with his past, his royal upbringing, and the lasting effects of his mother’s death.
Though paperback editions often include new updates or chapters, Spare remains unchanged, a move many interpret as a sign that Prince Harry may be looking toward mending the strained ties with the royal family, particularly with his father, King Charles III, and his brother, Prince William. The relationships between them have been strained in recent years, and the absence of additional material in the paperback version has led some to speculate that Harry may be taking a step toward reconciliation.
Spare is divided into three distinct sections, each reflecting a significant part of Prince Harry’s life: his royal upbringing, his time in the British Army, and his relationship with Meghan Markle. The section titles—”Out of the night that covers me,” “Bloody, but unbowed,” and “Captain of my soul”—are inspired by lines from the famous poem Invictus by William Ernest Henley. The poem’s message of resilience and personal strength is central to Prince Harry, who founded the Invictus Games in 2014 as an international competition for wounded service members and veterans. The Games’ motto, “I am,” mirrors the poem’s defiant closing lines: “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”
Prince Harry has previously explained the significance of the poem in his life, telling PEOPLE in 2022, “The poem reminds me that I have the power to take control of my own life.” This sentiment is echoed throughout his memoir, as he recounts his personal struggles and triumphs, both within and outside the royal family.
Since its original release in early 2023, Spare has seen immense success, selling over six million copies globally and breaking the Guinness World Record for the fastest-selling nonfiction book in history. The memoir, filled with personal insights and revelations, takes its name from the well-known phrase “the heir and the spare,” a reference to Prince Harry’s position as the younger brother of Prince William, the heir to the British throne.
In a previous interview with PEOPLE, Prince Harry described his memoir as a deeply personal and “raw account” of his life, adding, “I don’t want to tell people how to interpret it, including my family. This book is part of my mental health journey, and it’s an unfiltered reflection of my experiences.”
For Prince Harry, writing Spare was not only a way to process his own life but also an effort to inspire others. “My hope is that by sharing my story, it can help someone else. If my experience can make a positive difference in someone’s life, that’s the most meaningful reward I can think of,” he said.
As the paperback edition of Spare reaches more readers, Prince Harry continues to share his personal journey, offering insights into his life while navigating the balance between his past and future.
