In his memoir Spare, released early last year, Prince Harry spoke candidly about the dark side of royal life. A brief comment revealed some of his inner darkness.

Even the title of his memoir, “Spare,” seems to allude to his own position in the royal family. Born the second child, Prince Harry always felt like a replacement, an extra piece, especially since he was the youngest child of the future King (Prince Charles at the time). Unlike his older brother William, who was destined to become King one day, Harry was less bound by the rules, which made him feel “always expendable.” In his memoir, Harry writes: “My family declared me a nobody. A spare. I didn’t complain about it, but I didn’t have to worry about it.”

“In my mind, it’s better not to think about certain facts, like the important royal travel rule: Dad and William are never allowed to fly together, because the first and second heirs to the throne can’t be in trouble at the same time. But no one cares who I’m with,” the prince added. The six-word, cryptic quote, “The back-up heir can always be dropped,” sums up Harry’s thoughts on his role in the family.

The Duke of Sus𝓈ℯ𝓍 also said his purpose on earth was to be a backup in case anything happened to Prince William, whom he nicknames Willy in the book. Harry added that the term “spare” was often used to describe him within his own family. “They would say it without judgement, very bluntly. I was the shadow, the extra, the plan B. I was put on this earth in case anything happened to Willy.”

Prince Harry stepped down from his senior royal duties in 2020, alongside his wife, Meghan Markle. The couple has since relocated to California with their two children. Over the past four years, the Duke of Sus𝓈ℯ𝓍 has opened up about his experiences within the royal family through interviews, Netflix documentaries, and his memoir.

These revelations have reportedly created a rift between Harry and his brother, Prince William. Sources suggest that their relationship has deteriorated, making it unlikely that Harry will return to his former role as a senior royal. The ongoing tensions highlight the complexities of family dynamics in the wake of Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back from royal life.