Prince Harry just announced he’s writing a tell-all memoir about his experiences as a royal and his personal life after leaving the monarchy.
Like most news about him and wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex these days, the announcement was met with mixed responses.
Fans were thrilled, taking to social media with messages of excitement as Harry plans to share intimate details of his life.
Prince Harry plans to open up about his personal and family life in his new memoir.
(Credit: Getty)Critics were less enthused about the news, claiming the Duke is “cashing in” on his royal connections or “betraying” the monarchy in which he was raised.
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Now there is speculation about how the royal family will respond to the news, and to the memoir when it’s published in late 2022.
If the fallout from Harry and Meghan’s Oprah interview earlier this year is anything to go by, things could get tense.
How have the royals responded to the memoir news?
The royal family hasn’t officially commented on news of Prince Harry’s planned memoir – yet.
Immediately after the news dropped, there were claims that Harry may not have informed his royal relatives, namely the Queen, of his plans.
Some outlets alleged that the royal family were “blindsided” by the news, or that Harry “scrambled” to inform them of the memoir ahead of the official announcement.
Prince Harry’s memoir could cause royal fallout.
(Credit: Getty)The BBC reported that “the duke has recently spoken privately with his family about writing the book”.
As for whether or not Harry had the Queen’s permission to write a memoir (a common sticking point right now), the outlet had details on that too.
“A spokesperson for the duke added that he would not be expected to obtain permission for the project from Buckingham Palace,” it reported.
Will the memoir cause more tension in the monarchy?
Though the book won’t be released until late next year, there are concerns it could cause even more fallout for Harry and the royal family.
Robert Jobson, a veteran royal reporter, told MailOnline: “This is bound to cause mayhem amongst the House of Windsor.”
In fact, we have already seen just how much “mayhem” Harry’s royal revelations can cause.
When he and Duchess Meghan sat down for a tell-all interview with Oprah on March 7, 2021, it caused shockwaves around the world.
Their claims of racism in the monarchy, Meghan’s mental health battle, and being “cut off” by Prince Charles were, in a word, explosive.
For weeks after the interview aired the couple faced both support and harsh criticism, their claims picked apart by critics who claimed the facts didn’t add up.
Meanwhile, the royal family dealt with similar backlash, especially over the allegations that senior royals had engaged in racist “conversations” about Harry and Meghan’s son Archie.
It was PR storm on both sides, with Prince William having to come out and say that the royal family is “very much not racist”.
Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan faced harsh criticism from some camps over their Oprah interview claims.
(Credit: Getty)Meanwhile, the Queen released a statement after the interview aired saying that the royals were “saddened” by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s “concerning” claims.
“Whilst some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately,” she wrote.
“Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members.”
While she hasn’t released a statement about Harry’s memoir yet, when it is released in 2022 we may see a similar statement from the Queen addressing any divisive claims in the book.
Other senior royals could also respond to direct claims or comments about them, if Harry chooses to share details about the likes of William, Duchess Catherine or his father, Prince Charles.
The Queen has not responded to the news of Prince Harry’s memoir.
(Credit: Getty)At the same time, Harry’s tell-all could also spark more backlash against the royal family if his claims are particularly salacious, damning or emotional.
He has promised the memoir will be “intimate and heartfelt” and will be a “a firsthand account of my life that’s accurate and wholly truthful.”
But there are concerns his “truth” may not necessarily align with the royal family’s “recollections” of certain events and experiences.
“Will it be his truth or the truth? And will they be the same or different?” royal commentator and PR consultant Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline.
“A lot of his Oprah interview didn’t pass a fact check, and it’s difficult for the outside world to tell what is true, which is a big concern.”
What could this memoir mean for Harry’s royal bonds?
There’s no doubt the world will have a massive reaction to Prince Harry’s memoir, and the royals will have their own feelings about it too.
But could their reactions to the book affect Harry’s connection to the monarchy in the long-term?
There are longstanding reports of “tension” between Harry and senior royals like William and Charles, and if the memoir paints an unflattering picture of the monarchy, those tensions could deepen.
While it’s hard for the public to know what goes on behind closed doors at Buckingham Palace, there will be one key sign to look out for.
There is speculation Prince Harry’s memoir could see him excluded from the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
(Credit: Getty)Next year the Queen is set to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years as Britain’s reigning monarch.
It’s understood that Harry, Meghan and their two children were set to attend royal celebrations in the UK next June for the momentous occasion, and even appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with the extended royal family.
Now there is speculation that the memoir could change those plans.
Reports are flooding in that the Queen could “rescind” her invitation to the Sussexes over the memoir, which is set to be published just months after the Jubilee celebrations.
There’s currently no solid evidence to support these claims, but when June 2022 rolls around it will be interesting to see if Harry is up on the balcony with the rest of the royals.
