The life of a back-up royal sounds pretty enviable
Three cheers for whoever came up with the title of Prince Harry’s new autobiography, Spare. It’s punchy — and it evokes a sense of sadness. Is this how Harry has always felt? Like a disposable spare part?
The “heir and the spare” describes the first in line to the throne and the “reserve” monarch. It may sound cruel — and perhaps it is — but as soon as hereditary systems were established, queens and kings recognized that to ensure continuity and stability for their monarchy, it was necessary to have a healthy male heir and one in reserve should the eldest one die — which they often did.
Spoiled and manipulated is not a good look Harry.
