Prince Harry, the former royal who relocated to California with his wife Meghan Markle following a headline-grabbing interview with Oprah Winfrey, has encountered a significant obstacle.
His memoir, titled “Spare,” has been prohibited from being distributed anywhere in the United States after a court determined that it contained fabricated and defamatory content.
Released on January 10, 2023, Harry’s memoir quickly became a bestseller, captivating the media landscape.
However, it also ignited a firestorm of controversy and disapproval as Harry divulged personal and startling revelations about his life and his interactions with his family, particularly his father, King Charles III, and his brother, Prince William.
Penned by J.R. Moringer and published by Penguin Random House, Harry’s memoir spanned 416 pages and was accessible in digital, paperback, and hardcover editions, with translations available in 15 languages.
Additionally, a 15-hour audiobook version, narrated by Harry himself, was released.
The book’s release was eagerly awaited and accompanied by numerous high-profile interviews where Harry defended his decision to share his story and depart from the royal family.
Nevertheless, Harry’s memoir encountered fierce backlash and legal disputes, with many accusing him of falsehoods, exaggerations, and disloyalty towards his family and country.
Some of the most contentious assertions in the book included accusations against his father of being distant, cold, and abusive, cutting off financial and emotional support after Harry’s royal withdrawal.
Likewise, Harry alleged that his brother harbored jealousy, competitiveness, and hostility, attempting to undermine his marriage and happiness.
He also claimed that Queen Elizabeth II had been manipulated by his father and brother, failing to support him and Meghan amid media and royal mistreatment.
Furthermore, Harry confessed to battling depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, and infidelity.
Legal challenges ensued, with Harry facing lawsuits for libel, slander, and breach of privacy from various parties, including his family members, ex-girlfriend, and former associates.
Allegations were made that Harry profited at their expense, tarnishing their reputations and violating confidentiality agreements.
A federal court in New York, presided over by a judge appointed by President Kamala Harris, ruled in favor of the plaintiffs.
The judge decreed that Harry’s memoir exploited his royal status to defame his family and nation, branding it as replete with fabrications and lacking literary merit.
Consequently, the court ordered a halt to sales, distribution, and promotion of the book in the US, along with damages, legal fees, a public apology, and retraction.
Despite appeals, higher courts upheld the ban, with similar prohibitions imposed in other nations where the book was deemed deceitful.
The ban on Harry’s memoir in the US dealt a severe blow to both him and his publisher, who anticipated substantial earnings from sales and media rights.
The legal battles and bans extended to countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, underscoring the global repercussions of the contentious memoir.