Photo: David Levenson/Getty Images
Prince Harrysays thatKing Charles IIIdeclared him a “spare” on the day he was born.
The Duke of Sussex, 38, makes the claim inSpare, his memoir out Jan. 10,The Guardianreported Wednesday.
According to the outlet, the story is shared towards the start of the 416-page text.
“Early on, Harry recounts the story of how his father, now King Charles, supposedly said to his wife,Princess Diana, on the day of Harry’s birth: ‘Wonderful! Now you’ve given me an heir and a spare – my work is done,’ “The Guardianreported.
The U.K. outlet calls Harry’s “resentment of being the ‘spare’ " a “unifying theme” of the text, which reportedly reflects on his childhood, service in the British Army, years as a working royal, and relationships with family members.
Mirrorpix/Getty Images
Prince Harry was born on Sept. 15, 1984, the second son of Prince Charles and Princess Diana and the younger brother ofPrince William.Spare, the title of the Duke of Sussex’s upcoming memoir, is derived from the royal “heir and spare” adage, pointing to different destinies that have separated Harry and William since birth. Before the Prince of Wales, 40, welcomed three children with his wifeKate Middleton, his younger brother followed him in the line of succession to the British throne.
For more on Prince Harry’s memoir, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.
Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images
Harry claims William calledMeghan Markle"difficult,” “rude” and “abrasive,” to which Harry replied that his brother was simply “parrot[ing of] the press narrative” about his wife.
The Guardianreports that Harry then accused his brother of acting like an heir, and insults began to fly. William reportedly claimed he was just trying to help.
“Are you serious?” Harry said in reply, per the report. “Help me? Sorry – is that what you call this? Helping me?”
Prince Harry and Prince William.Karwai Tang/WireImage
After giving William a glass of water, Harry said: “Willy, I can’t speak to you when you’re like this.”
It was at this point that the argument escalated into a physical confrontation.
“He set down the water, called me another name, then came at me. It all happened so fast. So very fast,” Harry writes inSpare, reportsThe Guardian.
Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates onKate Middleton,Meghan Markleand more!
Harry adds that William urged him to fight back, just as he had as a boy. When he refused, he writes that William left, only to return later “looking regretful.” He then “apologized,” according toThe Guardian.
The book jacket of Prince Harry’s memoir ‘Spare’.PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE
Later, when leaving,Prince William"turned and called back: ‘You don’t need to tell Meg about this,’ “Prince Harryclaims, to which he says he replied, “You mean that you attacked me?”
“I didn’t attack you, Harold,” William countered, according to Harry.
Afterward, Harry says he called his therapist for help. It was only when Meghan later noticed “scrapes and bruises” on his back that he says he revealed the incident to his wife.
“[She] wasn’t that surprised, and wasn’t all that angry,” Harry writes, perThe Guardian. “She was terribly sad.”
source: people.com
