LONDON (AP) — Prince Harry has defended his decision to publish a memoir It lays bare the fissures within the British royal family, which he says is an attempt to “own your own story” after 38 years of “twisting and warping” by others.
Harry has spoken to the UK’s ITV network to promote his book ‘Spare’.
In an interview that aired on Sunday, Harry accused members of the royal family of “sleep with the devil” in order to gain favorable tabloid coverage, while his royal stepmother, Camilla, took private conversations with the media. and his family are “complicit” in his wife Meghan’s “pain and suffering.”
He also reiterated claims that the royal family had “concerns” about the skin color of their unborn baby after marrying biracial American actress Meghan Markle, saying the British monarchy will address its attitudes towards race. said it should.
Harry and Meghan first mentioned the incident in an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021. They have not identified any family members who have expressed concern.
Harry said the episode was an example of unconscious bias rather than racism, adding that the royal family needs to “learn and grow” to become “part of the solution, not part of the problem.” rice field.
“Otherwise, unconscious prejudice falls into the category of racism,” Harry said. It is natural to impose higher standards than people.”
he said a recent event A former lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth II asking a black woman in the UK where she was ‘true’ from was a ‘very good example of the institutional environment’.
“Spare” explores Harry’s grief at the death of his mother in 1997 and his long-simmering resentment of the role of “spare” in the royal family. He recounts an altercation and physical altercation with William, reveals how he lost his virginity (in the field), and describes his use of cocaine and cannabis.
He also says he killed 25 Taliban fighters The claim was criticized by both the Taliban and British veterans while serving as an Apache helicopter pilot in Afghanistan.
Harry told ITV that he only cried once after his mother’s death — at her burial. I feel guilty for not showing it.
In the book, Harry denounces a stiff upper lip in his family, calling it “too well learned… a family maxim that crying is not an option.” The Associated Press purchased the Spanish-language version of the book before it was published worldwide on Tuesday.
Harry told ITV journalist Tom Bradby: “I watched the video, yes, I looked back at it all. And the wet hands we were holding, I didn’t understand why their hands were wet, but they All the tears I was wiping away.
“I thought and felt like everyone knew our mother. I could not do it.”
‘Spare’ is the latest in a string of public statements since Harry and Meghan quit royal life And in 2020, he moved to California, citing the media’s racist treatment of Meghan and lack of support from the palace. Released last month.
In the ghostwriter’s memoir, Harry, 38, describes the couple’s bitter split from the royal family in early 2020 after their request for a part-time royal role was denied.
Harry contrasts the couple’s taxpayer-funded security withdrawal with the case of his uncle, Prince Andrew, who was dismissed from public service for his friendship with US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew settled the lawsuit last year Andrew was from a woman who accused him of being sexually abused when he traveled with investor Epstein when he was 17.
Harry claims that despite the “shameful scandal” nobody thought of removing Andrew’s security.
The ITV interview is one of several interviews Harry has given that will increase pressure on the royal family. He has also appeared on ’60 Minutes’, ‘Good Morning America’ and ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’.
Royal officials have not commented on the allegations, but allies have largely anonymously contested the allegations.
Veteran British journalist Jonathan Dimbleby, a biographer and friend of King Charles III, said Saturday that Harry’s revelation was “sort of…from a B-list celebrity…the type you’d expect” and that the King would be in pain. He said he would be upset and annoyed. they.
Harry told ITV that he hopes to reconcile with the royal family, but “the ball is in their court.”
“They showed no intention of reconciling,” he said.
