You're wrong about Prince Harry ☕👑
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- Опубликовано: 15 янв 2023
- Deep dive into his book, Spare, here we come. I read Prince Harry's autobiography book so you don't have to. But maybe after this review, you might anyway ;) The British Monarchy is a hairy topic, but as a PCOS girlie you know I love a bit of hair. Let’s discuss everything from Prince William’s outburst, King Charles’ claim that he can’t ‘afford’ to have Meghan live in the palace, Harry’s time in the army and the Queen’s treatment of the Prince Andrew allegations.
Why does it matter? Because the future of royalty in the UK will have a trickle down effect - and inform how we treat privilege, inheritance and power going forward. If you think this has nothing to do with you, you’re kidding yourself.
If you'd like a longer breakdown of why the media's reaction to Spare is a joke, here's a fab podcast episode from James O'Brien that I highly recommend: www.podbean.com/media/share/d...
Watch more videos by me about the monarchy: • MONARCHY with Leena
If you'd like a run down of the key issues about Prince Andrew:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_....
Prince Andrew's Settlement: • BBC’s UNBELIEVABLE Res...
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Cummon then, what are our plans for Buckingham Palace 2.0?
If you're still unconvinced, and you'd like a breakdown of why the media's reaction to Spare is a joke, here's a fab podcast episode from James O'Brien that I highly recommend: www.podbean.com/media/share/dir-7k9fh-16279446?
I mean, the Louvre is the obvious answer. Maybe a new site for Houses of Parliament if the old ones are getting too small? You see people having to stand all the time during parliamentary sessions. I don't know how big the rooms are in BH though, like if they would be bigger or not.
Turn it into apartments for homeless people. Think of all the people who could fit in there!
@@marthab1875 exactly what I was going to say
With Versaille (I'm French), it stayed a castle dedicated to educate about french history, whether it is about the artists who worked on it, how people used to live or all the Marie-Antoinette stuff.
There are lots of approches but none of them are pro-monarchist. They are more for people who fancy very much the atmosphere of that world.
And there's a huuuge emphasis on WHY it was built since we already had the Louvre: according to them (and our actual government, I guess) it was to gather all the rebellious nobility at the same place, to look upon them closely and to strenghten the monarch power. The nobles became then so weak and the administration so strong that we just had to give all monarchist ideas up, all together at the end.)
But it seems relevant with the ideas of Louis XIV himself and the architectural design of the all so...
Anyway the castle is mainly maintained in condition thanks to an american society.
And apart from tourism, they make a bit of money with cosplay nights and lending it to private firms for their personnal enjoyement.
(I used to play music chamber for such occasions. Like in a theme park and sometimes there were fashion shows as well).
My first thought was a library. Imagine how many books though!
"His penis may have frostbite, but there's nothing wrong with his balls."
Oh that is ICONIC Leena.
I literally laughed out loud, Leena is brilliant as always NFBSFBBSBD
Yessss, this the comment I was looking for 🙏🏼🙌🏼
I disagree, he is ballless. They are in MM purse
and they're in need of a good kicking
We are searching in vain for them, with no success.
It’s so bizarre to me that people are ridiculing him for using a ghostwriter - there’s just been a podcast series released called ‘the lost tapes’ by the man who ghostwrote ‘long walk to freedom’ with Nelson Mandela, and it really just emphasises how many historically important works wouldn’t exist without writers’ offering this service
Well people aren't ridiculing him for having a ghostwriter but the weird part is that half of the book part is let just say sickly sweet and using nicknames instead of Full name like Willy and Harold instead of William and Harry or Henry his real name
Didn't realise a ghostwriter was involved with Long Walk to Freedom.
Well writing prose well is a skill that not everyone has.
Ridiculing for using ghost writer? Nay...do you know the writer? Rachel Megan Raglan Markle is the ghost writer.
Stupid things she wrote to make money such as sausages, penis, virginity lost, side of room, and lots of lies. Are people going to topple the throne for him or abolish the monarchy? No!!! The purpose of the books, Flopumentary, flopcasts are all for money and all the are ideas from Megan pushing to do it though he has it in him too but not to write about lies. Megan has thought him How to add lies to pull people's heart strings to destroy people and abandon their families, if you are not given what you demand because both are used to getting what they want....blackmailing.
Shame he didn't use a competent fact checker.
Long Walk to Freedom was written in 1993 as Nelson Mandela was preparing to run for SA’s first democratic election, so I also think he had enough on his plate 😉
Thank you for a such a thoughtful response to the memoir. You didn't just provide your thoughts, but showed your viewers how to question their own beliefs.
thank you that means a lot! x
@@leenanorms ruclips.net/video/UBaWAnd8VRA/видео.html
Literally every word of that ^^ I was trying to put that down into words and you did it perfectly, Thankyou! Leena is brilliant at getting you to THINK
The issue, to me, is that rags like the Daily Mail had 27+ stories criticising Harry compared to 1 or 2 on the cost of living crisis.
couldn't agree more!
I think it's really interesting how media can influence your opinion about people you never met, but also generates a feeling that you have to choose a site.
I agree! I felt this way about the defamation case last year. Like I was being pressured to have an opinion but I didn’t want to delve into it and also felt like I would have to be a DV expert to have an informed opinion
Harry has influenced feelings and opinions towards his family and they have all been negative. It is easy to put a slant on a story, giving a bit of the truth, but making sure there is no context as to why such occurrences happened. 🤔🇭🇲
The main take I have from the drama surrounding this book in the media, at the office cooler etc is that most people see it as "the smallest violin in the world" content, because the privileged aren't allowed to complain. But hearing these public reactions, and his families reaction, to what seem to be pretty consistent messages he's received throughout his life about his worth and place all I can think of is the similarities in people's behaviour towards the scapegoat of any dysfunctional/abusive family. It's a whole subsection on why abusers get away with their actions, and why victims don't come forward. Turns out class can't protect you from human psychology..
True Harry needs psychiatrict help not just therapy
I am the black sheep of my family and I have related to how he feels and how he's decided to exit.
Well said.
Yes I absolutely agree. I think it goes beyond being damaging to the psyche of the privalaged, but has a big part to play in actively stopping change from happening. If you play the worlds smallest violin card you make the people who have suffered put up a huge wall. Gradually over time this lack of support and understanding can foster hatred and an unwillingness to help change anything. There is almost a fear of what will be taken away from them if they agree to the system that protects them financially being changed (you can see this often when simply bringing up the topic of someone being privalaged- you are often met with hostility). Money does not solve all of life's struggles, but it can give some comfort and security in this crazy world. I think compassion, understanding and working together is the only way things will progress. Hatred and diminishing other humans suffering will eventually backfire.
My issue is that he never acknowledges his own privilege. He talks about tours in Africa for several weeks but he never seems grateful for that (by grateful I mean just happy or saying how cool he is). He also complains about petty things like having a small bedroom in Sandringham which is a castle
I’m not British but I do like the idea that if buckingham palace came into public hands it could become the most wonderfully appointed public library in the world. Imagine being a little kid running through the children’s section in an actual castle. Magical
Omg I LOVE this idea
WOW YES buckingham palace as a public library is my favourite idea
I left a religious cult and then an abusive family system, so I have a faint idea of the kind of pain he has been through. As an unknown twitter user once said: "Your own family will talk shit about you when you're in the process of breaking all their generational curses. This ain't for the weak."
The world in general turns on those who try to break out of harmful cycles. It's bad enough when it's your own family, but others put the institutions and systems above the individual too. And that really hurts. It makes you feel very isolated, which makes healing so much harder. You constantly have to remind yourself that you're not crazy, your feelings are valid, and that a better life is possible, even while the world is screaming in your face that their way is the only way.
Yes, and Harry is certainly talking a lot of shit.
Not really cause in reality if you live in republic country. No one effing care about it plus writing a book that overshare it doesn't sit with the public too
o.o
It'd be lovely if, many years from now when Charles passes away, William would simply declare no one else in his family will take the throne and the monarchy is dissolved ... but I doubt he'd have the stones to do it. Kudos to Harry for walking away, though.
@@xzonia1 that would be such a silly idea.
I wish there was a second like button! This was so interesting and respectful - like not towards Prince Harry in particular but just towards human beings
I feel so glad that I get to watch your videos, you always make such brilliant observations, this was such a great addition to this whole big conversation ♥️
Xxx
As an Australian, the fact that a representative of the British monarchy is (basically) required to sign off on most parliament actions while having any tiny number of First Nations voices in government continues to cause controversy is absolutely wild to me.
Same!
What was extremely concerning was in 2021 the way the GG signed off on the former PM secretly having control over other 5 other ministries without the Ministers of those portfolios knowing. There's been no repercussions for the GG over that and it seriously undermined our system and seriously undermined our concept of democracy.
If Australia ever becomes a Republic we need to guard against that sort of secret goings on happening. I'm not even sure if the new laws currently promising it can't happen again have been enacted yet?
@@kimswhims8435 thanks for that info hon. I thought Canada was the only country thinking of growing up LOL
@@lorrainearmstrong7587 To be fair there's a number of countries that have become Republics after colonisation, however, it's often less than successful. There's plenty of opportunists willing to exploit a country that's taking that step. Also, while Australia's system of Government is still a constitutional Monarchy, the work to sever ties with the UK Parliament were completed with the 1986 Australia Act.
Same, I really hope the Voice to Parliament is successful and followed by a second referendum for Australia to become a republic. I honestly think both of those actions would only be the beginning in terms of reckoning with our colonial history but it'd be a good fucking start
this is the best review of the book I've seen so far. Your historical and cultural context is essential for understanding what this book is trying to do.
I agree. And not filled with the /eye roll/ that many people already had about the monarchy and even about Harry and Meghan thanks to the media’s assassination of their image. To be clear, I hate the whole institution and have zero attachment to any of them. I do empathise with Harry’s life and upbringing, which no one that isn’t a ‘spare’ royal can possibly understand. I do applaud them for standing their ground and getting independence from the monarchy. I applaud anyone who wants to 💩 on that entire institution, regardless of reason, and progresses us towards dismantling that stupid system.
Finally a FAIR AND BALANCED review of Harry's book, by someone who has ACTUALLY READ IT!! And understanding the context of his service # of kills instead of bragging about it, and to prevail against the suicide issues around soldiers coming home from that experience.
I'm loving your review and your honest reaction as a BRIT...I'm an American and have been appalled at the majority of media reactions to it which seemed to me like A) They hadn't read it and B) they totally didn't get all the obvious aspects that you (and I) get. Well done.
Sorry, I'm an older lady and I'm not on Twitter or Instagram or Vidogram.
Here, here! I always wanted to say that! Keep reading and speaking.
@@DiDiLark606 If you're talking about "Spare," you can buy the book.
I have a son and I feel such deep sadness every time I see Prince George in the press, sat at Wimbledon, on xmas day going to church in front of hoards of people. The position he has been put into by birth (and his siblings of course) is abusive, he cannot consent to it and he cannot opt out without breaking away from his whole family. He will never get to just be a child, just be a person. And that is why I just can't understand people who are ambivalent or in favour of the monarchy.
I know - when I see those shots part of my brain is just thinking 'is someone gunna call Childline? Where's the NSPCC?!'
He goes to school. He goes on trips. His parents do a great job keeping things normal.
Especially when you think that so many people who use their children for content online (family RUclipsrs etc.) seem to experience a lot of (rightful) backlash for abusing their children... But none for the OG celeb family!
@@carrot1269 the royals are the original influencers, it's true
Not really he was always accompanied by his or their parents plus they were much lowkey than to A list Celebs kids
I’m a Canadian so I wonder, from British people - what kind of repercussions do you think are going to come from the book? Do you think this might be the beginning of the end of the monarchy? Or are they gonna double down, or is simply nothing gonna happen? What have the general opinions from the British public on this book been so far? Thanks for reading it so we don’t have to, Leena!!
I think double down. Sadly the tabloids are doing a great job of alienating everything Harry is saying. I do think as our middle aged population dies in a few decades the royal family will have very little support!
I have hope, because since I recorded this the book has broken all sorts of sales records - - as long as those people who have bought it actually read it and don't just leave it on their shelves, there's no doubt in my mind that it will weaken the vice-grip the tabloids have on public opinion. I just don't think we'll see that change happen straight away - too early to tell, but fingers crossed.
@@emma.greenwood agreed, I think it will be a generational shift rather than overnight.
It’s going to be a bit different now the queen has died. She was seen as a rock, and no one else in the royal family left seems to have that status to anywhere near that level. I think especially young and middle aged people are more indifferent now, it would be surprising for people that age to swarm the streets for a coronation, when people have more of an idea of their own lives being of importance too in the age of the internet.
I think Nothing will happen it will just Harry's reputation gone bad VERY Bad
Harry is a brave man. There is nothing manly or heroic about being willing to do anything to stay within the fold of the abusive establishment.
"His P may have frostbite, but there's nothing wrong with his balls" -- brilliant! I like Harry. I am not done with the book, but so far this book really makes me like and respect him even more. I completely concur that he has done this to get everything out in the open so the press and the world will leave him and his family alone. Glad to see someone who is not completely ranking on him. Well done.
I'm not English, and I feel like my attitude towards the royal family might be different if I was, but everything I've learned about the royal family makes me question why a system that is fundamentally so bad for their mental health and their personhood is still going on
Also, I listened to this video on the way to a dentist appointment, and despite just having two cavities filled, openly laughed in my car when you said "turn to page XYZ in your hymnals"
It is bad for the monarch & those in direct line (which are at present 3 people.) I agree their lives are mapped out for them. However, even THEY have the option to abdicate.
For Harry, this was not so much an issue. At any time he could have elected to become a non-working Royal. It means, you don't do Royal Engagements, you don't get the security, house, staff, travel etc etc. You instead get a job and live as a normal person. Princesses Beatrice and Eugiene do this and have done so since leaving school.
Honestly, I am disappointed in Leena for this video. No attempt to look at fact, stating things as fact, which are not.
I could address so many excerpts... For example the money. The Royal Family cost the British taxpayers £1.29 per person per year. Not "untold amounts".
"Harry needed to do the book because security probably costs 200million." The whole Royal family carry out all duties, buy their clothes, pay for staff, food, travel, events, and associated security for less than £100m. That covers the WHOLE family.
There were so many things read out at which I raised my eyebrows.
@@timtreefrog9646 Thank you. Now I know not to bother with the video.
@@MegaTinni You're welcome. Leena is usually good on facts. This one video obviously made from a biased viewpoint. Nothing wrong with that. I just didn't like things being presented as fact which were not facts.
I did think Leena would be intelligent enough to see through the provable lies.
@@timtreefrog9646 I stumbled on her content yesterday only. It was relating to sewing and slow fashion. I could identify with much of her viewpoints.
I have already consumed a lot of H&M content and stay up to date on the topic. Got this in my recommendations, but I couldn't bear another uninformed, gullible 'poor them/they really suffered a lot/they didn't get a fair chance/they work so hard' type of monologue.
@@timtreefrog9646 where is the 1.29/person figure coming from and why is this figure above question? What assumptions are you making to arrive at that number and how is that more of a fact? Do you think that an institution that can literally influence media and policy is transparent about how much money they spend? When the evidence of their manipulation is very well documented?
Furthermore, you lost me with that bit about Beatrice and Eugenie living like normal people. That is very much not the truth.
'his penis may have frostbite but there is nothing wrong with his balls' leena casually dropping the most insane quote of 2023 in the first month
I'm not even half way through and you've changed my mind. I had, unjustly, written this book off due to the bullshittery I had seen on twitter and from all i had heard i kinda thought that he shouldve waited to write it once he had processed it all more, something along the lines of too soon and too immature. But your nuanced representation of the ACTUALITY of the book has me re-examining if I wish to read it. I've always felt empathy towards the princes, having a dead parent and a shit show of a family in common, but somehow over time ive conflated my feelings around the instution and my feelings around their humanity as one and the same.
I'm proud of Harry having the courage to write about all the things he saw first-hand. He literally wrote the book and therein reported the things he saw. I'm proud of him for carrying out his military 🪖 orders and not ever shirking his duty. It is our young ppl we send to war and expect they will not speak of its horrendous effect it had on them for the rest of their lives.
@@judithbeers7598 hello Judas!!! May you have a husband, nephew, brother, brother-in-law, friends and colleagues exactly like Henry Windsor Mountbarton, KC3's second son, in all ramifications. AMEN.
@@judithbeers7598 oh yeah, so proud of a guy who throws his family under the bus for no reason. Disgusting. Shame on you Judith.
@@dupelawal-ijaiya4020 May God give me son like Prince Harry and sweet daughter in law like Princess Meghan. May you have a mother like camila, a father like Thomas Markle and Charles, a brother like Williams and a sister like Samantha Markle, associates and friends like Jeremy Clarkson, Piers Morgan, Angela L. and their likes Amen 🙏🏽
@@georginaosigwe5072 you don't need to put sweet daughter...just say May God give you a daughter,daughter inlaw,niece and friends exactly like Rachel Megan Raglan Markle. Ase...AMEN
Excited to learn something about this book that doesn't involve a frostbitten todger
I did not expect to end this video wanting to read this, as a Canadian who has never had any particular interest in the royals, but I'm so excited now.
@@kathryn6403 same! I was entirely ready to just hear Leena''s opinion and let it go, but considering the fact that the royal family has an effect on my life (from across the Atlantic haha) I might as well read it
@@kathryn6403 my work here is done! ;)
@@lionfearts do it! :)
The frostbitten todger went the main point, it was the fact that he put a particular cream on in that his mum had used, and as he rubbed the steam on the FB todger, he felt his mother was there with him. That is so far into the realm of mental issues that it is scary, beyond weird.
honestly, I MAY have started this video falling into the "so I don't have to read it" spectrum, but you did a really good job of making me want to read it after all. Because yes, he was born into a nasty, abusive cult and has the full right to not only withdraw his consent to be used, but also to make his own voice heard. Buckingham palace should become a public, interactive space to experience (and participate in) art, culture and science.
He "wanted out" but funnily enough he wanted to keep his royal titles and the benefits that comes with them and it was him not being allowed to keep his titles that sent him off on this bratty spoilt tirade...speaks volumes really. But you lot keep lapping it all up 😂
@@acidmack1041 you didn't even watch the video lmao
I also sort of wanna give it a go now that I've seen this video, specially because of the clarification about the easy to follow format it has. Probably not gonna spend a cent on it tho so I'll have to see where I source it from 👀
@@acidmack1041 wouldn't you? cause i know i would
@@acidmack1041 He wanted to keep security that he needed protect his family. Read the book before you come here with all that.
Haven't read the book, but as someone who has left a toxic family system and has always been considered the "weird one" who just doesn't want to adhere to "protocol" I feel a deep sympathy for Harry. As always, watching your video and hearing your thoughts has sparked an intellectual firework in my brain. Thank you so much for your work, Leena!
Did Harry’s behaviors fall out of your head? He was a mean kid. A mean young man. An adult who would physically assault the paps and mistreated every gf he ever had which is why they all dumped him. Now he’s a drug addict who said he got high on laughing gas while his wife was in labor. What a great guy!
@LMM Has the Royal family's behavior completely fallen out of yours? From what I recall, they have a very long and sordid past. We are all very familiar with the Royal Family story. Some of us want to hear Harry's side of the story. In HIS own words. The only one who can tell Harry's story is Harry.
Well said.
God bless you.
@@lmm8960 Haters are totally losers.
@@dstm7777 yeah, totally right.
I'll add that I honestly felt Harry's love and respect for defence force, Britain, Monarchy and family. He's hurt, rejection and anger is there too which I fully get after reading his book. He could actually instigate change and save the RF if they can understand his book and evolve. I've wondered if it's his history for his kids too . I'm so glad I read it, it totally changed my perceptions and I'm really glad Harry has my money for HIS story finally and not some sponge profiting from him
that bit at the end about the death cult is like. Prince Harry's Accidental Gothic Novel Plot.
Prince Harry aside... leopard print on leopard print is the way to live!
haha there was a part of my brain when I filmed this that was like 'I know this is a very serious subject but I hope at least one person appreciates the leopard print party I have thrown this morning' - so thank you for making the petty part of my brain feel seen and appreciated ;)
Wow... Leena! I always love your videos but I think one might be my favourite yet! Spitting nothing but straight facts and bringing us all up a level in order to reflect on ourselves. You are an absolute gem!!
This is the most honest and fair take I’ve seen from a British commentator I have heard. As an American and not much of a royal watcher, I’ve watched a number of interviews Harry has done with American media and he always comes off as honest, open and vulnerable.
He's delusional
@@kripaharris237
That’s what the medias have been feeding you with… tell your media to stop writing about him cause he is irrelevant. But any of their pages is Harry here and there and has always been like that! The people believing in perfectionist performers like William and co are the delusional people 😢
Every Brits here are thought to dislike harry from the day he marries Meghan. It's just yesterday my friends and I started to think with our minds and eyes and not hearsays.
@@tweetyslife253 no. It’s since he was with Meghan that he started to show us what a nasty piece of work he actually is.
Americans don't get it
Oooh Buck Palace - make about 20% of it a museum about the monarch in a "if we don't learn from history" way and use the rest to showcase small and new British artists and creatives (preferably funded by a % of what the Royals get now) to support British talent and our own economy.
yes - like an immersive exhibition about the weird 1000 year blip when we thought monarchy was a good idea - and then you come out in to halls and halls of great art? LOVE it.
I really appreciate your thoughtful response to this. As someone who grew up in an emotionally abusive but upper middle class home I found his first interview (Oprah?) incredibly hard hitting and the response of the general public/media to his comments was heartbreaking and so invalidating for me. Just because someone has money and stuff doesn't mean they aren't being treated terribly, it doesn't undo or lessen the damage that the abuse does.
I've popped this on my to read list and I'm going to watch the Netflix series now too. I feel so deeply for Harry and I really hope that him doing this does do a huge amount to bring the monarchy to an end because it's an awful institution IMO.
Ugh I'm sorry to hear people's responses hit you like that, the comments are so thoughtless - and I think routed in misplaced class resentment, but also this subconscious belief that money makes people's lives better, no exceptions. Really hope you enjoy the book and sending a hug from here x
Completely agree.
Yes agree the stalking & physically intimidation & lying from the press should be illegal. I don’t know how they are allowed to carry in the way they do.
So grateful for this call in of my assumptions and for your check in to make sure we aren't outsourcing our opinions - as always THANK YOU, LEENA!
There were so many quotes that gave me absolute chills to my bones. The bit about going through the tunnel hit so hard I had to pause and breathe through it for a few minutes. I had no real interest in reading it myself but I’ll definitely be tracking down a copy!
As someone who goes out of my way to avoid Harry and Meghan stories you now have made me want to read the book! I’ve always been of the “I do not know them, so therefore I do not care” opinion and quite frankly have found the circus around them for the past few years completely baffling. And people seem to forget there was a time the media wasn’t particularly fond of “waity Kate”.
Omfg...finally someone who talks my language! Absolutely loved your review..read the book and feel exactly the same way about the book.
20 mins into watching I was so happy to see there were nearly 20 still to go! Thoroughly enjoyed seeing how passionate you became! I havent read it yet, but it sounds like an incredibly important book and a sigh of relief in many ways that someone has so bravely and eloquently laid these secrets out bare. Thank you for sharing Leena! X
This was really well put together, thank you for the review
leena.. i wanted this to sate my curiosity but you’ve made me actually want to read it now lmao.
edit: i think it would make a wonderful museum. there could be so so much to unpack and educate about the history and repercussions of the royal family and what better place than the palace. or maybe it could become a movie set for endless period dramas i wouldn’t object to that at all.
My work here is done 😂
What are you learning from this book...nonsense. He didn't even write any history of the royals but putting them under the bus.
the ideas of turning the palace into something much more interesting this century are endless...I also think make part of it into a high class bed and breakfast! we don't need a royal family living there!
@@sallie6 oooh how about a high class bed and breakfast that was used for families of people in hospital nearby, or anyone in need who has to come into london from the rest of the UK, like foster kids looking at uni's. Or even just have staying there be something you can't buy, but can win in charity raffles or be given as a thank you for services to the country. Share some of that luxury around
Aunty Leena 😆 I agree with your entire summary of Harry’s Memoir 👍👍 Well said
Omg, Leena, you’re on fire. This was brilliant 🤯
Honestly Leena, I adore every single video you put out there, from rants about Amazon to your dressing a week as *blank* but you’ve really outdone yourself here. The eloquent articulation of emotions I share but couldn’t find the words for is such a breath of fresh air, and you’ve also changed my opinion on several!!! Please continue with this ecclectic collection of video topics, it’s the highlight of my week.
I really gotta say, what you have said on this book just confirms the whole "fame is abuse" thing floating around. the folks on You're Wrong About mentioned it often and Broey Deschanel made a video on it and this book just confirms it, from the horse's mouth so to say. I feel bad for them, especially the new batch of kiddos that were born in this century of constant surveilance and social media. I am not British, but I think abolishing the monarchy would even be a kindness to them as well, so that they might heal as a family in a few generations time.
I LOVE this video Leena, thank you ! You’re so thoughtful and clever and I so appreciate your take on all of this! 💖
This feels like the most balanced and self aware video essay I've watched about Spare. ❤
I inhaled the audiobook over the weekend, partly out of my own curiosity, but also partly because I wanted to have read it myself before hearing your thoughts, Lena. I really enjoyed your perspective, especially your points about his possible motivations for writing the book. Here were some of my own thoughts:
1. My strongest take-away from this book was definitely 'oh, Harry is actually an interesting and exceptional person in his own right far and away from his royal persona'. I've heard people complain about the lengthy military section, and though I would class myself as strongly anti-war, I actually thought those chapters were some of the most revealing of Harry's own character. The amount of discipline he showcases, the perseverance, the need for comradery, they paint a vivid picture. He describes being on a training march with trench foot so bad that he is put in a ambulance by the medical team, only for a superior officer to say 'I think you'll kick yourself if you don't finish this march', so he gets out of the ambulance and finishes the march. He describes being in simulated captivity during training where the captors are scaring and torturing his fellow soldiers by finding the instagram accounts of their girlfriends, but they have nothing on Harry because, as they say to him afterwards, it was impossible for them to find anything about him that Harry would be surprised they knew. He describes the intense academic struggle of learning to fly apache helicopters and having his self belief decimated day after day, but yet he keeps working hard at it, for years. And he also talks movingly about fellow soldiers who he connected with, even briefly, showing that the friendships of others has influenced his character deeply. I really believe that without these chapters, a portrait of Harry's personhood could not be painted accurately, and I really enjoyed them.
2. There are many reprehensible things that happen in this book, but the thing that just got my goat, that seemed the most reprehensible was definitely the fact that Charles trades press stories on his own children just to get good coverage for himself. This is especially agregious since he knows intimately the misery that the press can cause, given that he himself has been plagued by it for decades. To wilfully inflict that suffering on your own children just to spare yourself - I thought that was a damming enditement on Charles' character.
3. I think the person who's reputation will suffer most as a result of this book is William. I agree with your point, Lena, that the relationship is described believably and with nuance. And, as I said to my husband, if you plucked out anyone on this earth and asked them to describe their rocky relationship with an older sibling, they would assuredly hit many of the same beats. However, the anger and the repressed emotion and the tunnel vision evident in Harry's description of his brother, the heir to the English Crown, make for a wicked job reference, whether or not the reader is sympathetic to the sibling biases that must be at play.
After I finished the book, my husband asked if I thought it would help or hinder Harry's own reputation, and I couldn't answer. I said I thought it would polarise people, but I couldn't tell what the long term impact on his reputation might be. I know for myself it has increased my esteem in him, though I am already anti-monarchy. It'll be interesting to see in a year or even ten years how this book is spoken of, and which ripples turn into waves.
As long as you are aware that number 2 Harry has zero evidence it happened, like many accusations in the book. That fact, along with the absolute lies that have been identified in the book, makes you go …hmmmmmm.. about believing anything. Especially with his drug mind.
I think about the Palace or Charles or Camilla leaks some stories which is weird considering we get the saying of "came from palace source" plus the leaks are actually good leaks that doesn't have connection to Charles or Camilla because if you will look at it some of them are tood and the bad are suppressed
If you watch HG Tudor’s videos, he claims that Charles is a narcissist (in that he has Narcissistic Personality Disorder). Charles isn’t a good person.
That bothered me that Charles leaked stories about him too. It obviously really hurt Harry. It also bothered me that they treated him like a spare & weren’t careful with him nor were they interested in investing in him. He might’ve been smarter if those stiffs hadn’t grown cold & complacent long before he was ever born. And I love that he compared his older brother to Stewie Griffin cuz that’s exactly how I feel about my own older brother! 😂😂😂
I absolutely love that you advocate for showing compassion to privileged people. It seems so obvious, but I know quite a few left-leaning people that disregard what someone has said because they come from money. We want to uncover the privilege, not dehumanize the people carrying it.
Also would love to see the palace as the next Library of Alexandria
I think the palace could be a royal museum as well as have a historical library. A few restaurants can be put in for visiting public, to get refreshments from. This can save costs to people's taxes etc. It helps to keep the historical buildings preserved, pay towards our NHS, social services, as well as give the royals earnings out if it. Kind of like what Priscella Presley and her daughter did with Elvis Graceland mansion. I agree that wealthy people should not be demonized, because we need them to create jobs, and in the case of royals, the monarchy alive but a more self efficient monarchy eventually not funded by tax payers monies do much, But rather getting a portion of their earnings from opening up their castles etc to the public, that they still live in rent free etc. Only when they do official trips or outings in the UK and abroad should there travel costs and accomodation etc be paid for by the public.
I think it's also important in this case as the source of the privilege is also the source of the trauma, at least from what I can gather. Which puts more power to the point: the monarchy is a problem.
Really appreciate your take. I’m American and am just struck by how some Brits are having a meltdown over this.
This was already an amazing and interesting review for a non-Brit like me, but damn with the One Tree Hill reference... just *chef's kiss*!
haha when I realised it my mouth hung open - I was like OMG Prince William IS NATHAN SCOTT.
"Please turn to your hymn books!" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣This is the review we needed!
Great video and amazing takes. Love how you highlight humanity and call us to be better people. Thank you
i just watched your 5 year old "chuck out your clothes with me" video and i love to see that cardigan still going strong!
I'm never going to read the whole book, I skimmed it but was so curious to hear an opinion from someone who's at least a bit unbiased while still having an understanding of the whole system and culture surrounding the Royals....
Thank you! You're awesome 😎
I am from Germany and don't consider myself interested in the British Royal family *at all* and don't really see a reason why I should care abt them. But something I *absolutely* am interested in is child stardom. From "traditional" child stars to family vlogger's babies and apparently royal children now too. It's a topic I think is deeply interesting, so you might've just convinced me to read this! I might get it from the library though because I don't necessarily want to spend €25 on it (or get it second hand for cheaper, whichever comes first)
I feel the same way except I'm really interested in dysfunctional families. Liebe Grüße
I could have written this comment myself lol :")
Social housing in Buckingham Palace ✨
Your review/rant of this book is now one of my favourite things on youtube.
Great video Leena. Well done for persuading me to actively and consciously engage in "The Firm" circus for the first time in my British citizen existence.
I would, as a nurse, turn Buckingham palace and it's staff (as I don't want anyone to be redundant) to provide 50% adult nursing home/50% children's day care for free to health care staff families. I don't have kids and I am not yet a carer for any adults in my life but would soften the blow of the Tory government not acknowledging or engaging in conversations around pay with the nurses strike. Have a good one!
Love that idea!!
That is an excellent idea and one I've never thought of!
Amazing analysis, as always. So thought-provoking; both empathetic and critical. Love it!
Great review! This has prompted me to actually read the book and watch the Harry and Meghan documentary, glad I did. The stuff they went through was crazy...the half sister is super toxic
Excellent podcast, leena, thank you.👋👋👋
As always, great insights, Leena ❤
I’m about half way through the book and I’m loving it so far. And I think that BP should be kept as a museum like other country estates with lots of discussions about monarchy and empire.
Well part of it is open to public and part of it is a family home, so good luck with that.
Absolutely love your thoughtfulness in all of your videos concerning hard to approach or digest topics. ❤️ I am always recommending your channel to others because of your ability to inspire individual thought. Think for yourself! Your example helps those who love your content to grow in many ways. And I’m not just saying that for brownie points. 😂 Really love your videos Leena. I believe my life would be mundane without them. Love from Texas! 🥰
Aw JACOB. Thank you that means a lot. Since you don't want brownie points, can I simply interest you in some actual brownies instead? * wafts plate in front of you *
Fascinated by this story and so appreciate your take! ❤
Thank you for this video going so deep and questioning so much about our believes. I have seen one or two video about this, but you were the best.I do not know if I will be reading this book this year yet. And from a french pov (with the very special ending of monarchy), I would like to say that you made me realise how much real monarchy is and its incunscious impact of it on our contemporary societey.
Loved this review so much Leena! Especially appreciated more context for the tabloid spoilers, I've gone straight to reserving it at the library so I can read it for myself
wooo - from what I hear those reserve lists are long, so fingers crossed you get it soon :)
I did the same! I may get it sometime this summer lol
Thanks, Leena! Lots to think about here. I have to say, I love that you point out how everyone needs to be careful about their responses to emotional trauma. I grew up just "taking" a lot of things that I found hurtful and now I get all of those responses you mentioned. It doesn't matter how lucky people like Harry and I ((haha, like we're buds?)) should feel, but the fact is that we only can speak to our experiences of what it was like. We don't have another experience to compare that to, and people are just wired to focus on the negative experiences more sometimes. It's something that's real and valid and needs to be heard and figured out. Ignoring it just makes the person involved hurt more.
Also, still pondering your statement in the beginning about religious people and atheists and royalty. I sometimes struggle to accept celebrity culture for the same reason. They all put on their pants one leg at a time, the same as me. They poop too. Why should I put them on a pedestal? And yet so much of modern life swings on famous people that it's kind of disturbing.
I love your personality and props to your editor. This was so entertaining
Leeennaaa you should do more reading vlogs!!! This is was so good, please do more deep dives into interesting books thank you 😊
Brilliant review, love your critical thinking and depth.
I totally agree with all you said. I was the same at the end too... I was pacing shouting "Holy moly he went there, he's totally called out the brainwashing gutter press and all 😆 " .
The guys got balls, he has my total respect now, honestly I would never have thought Harry had that depth to give up such a human and unabashed recount. Big credit to Harry and J.R Moehringer, it will be a memoir looked back on favourably imo
First time I have come across you and may I say you are a breath of fresh air. You managed to somewhat turn the dial on my emotions around the writing of this book ... and to view the impact of contexts more. Well done. Subscribed & Liked. Go Girl.
I really enjoyed the format of this vlog. Can we have more of this please? 😁
This was such a compassionate and well thought out video
Thanks for this Leena- I just finished the book and feel similarly to you. I was surprised at how emotional I found it - I kept crying! And I couldn’t always work out who I was sad for.
I think he doesn’t go any further about Prince Andrew because of his friendship with Eugenie. Xx
THAT is something I hadn't thought about - Eugenie. I also cried - at the part where Tyler Perry said the reason he was helping them is because his mum had met Diana and thought highly of her 😪Something about her kindness having a knock on effect all those years later and inadvertently helping harry at literally the worst hour.
37:19 I’m in America, but I humbly submit the suggestion that Buckingham palace become affordable housing.
@@CoffeePlease. I agree, maybe the White House needs to go the same way?
I haven't finished the book yet because I'm a horribly slow reader, but overall it gives me such a feeling of sadness. There's a passage during the queens golden jubilee where he talks about how much he wanted to give his grandma a hug but knew he couldn't do it, that such a thing was unthinkable, and I just thought to myself wow. The very last thing I ever did with both of my own grandmas was give them hugs. Can you even imagine living in a family where that isn't normal? I find the whole thing very sad and sympathetic. I do think though that Harry doesn't come across as someone who has fully healed from his trauma either and I really hope he has good support and a therapist here in the states.
As an American I don't feel very qualified to offer opinions on the monarchy as a whole, but I will say it's never made much sense to me. But then, our whole identity was about ditching the royals in favor of representative democracy, so. I'd say on balance I feel very sympathetic to the people trapped in the system, up to and including the monarch, but the system itself seems very harmful, both to those within and without.
Yes!
Thank you, Leena, for this video! Loved it!
I appreciate these videos so much. I love a good book analysis with context. Any amount of your videos I will watch. Just. All the videos.
Well I'm going to have to read it now!
Thank you for being so balanced and kind with your response to the book. Fantastic analysis.
As always a hard hitting thought provoking analysis, is it wrong that I trust leena but not the mainstream media?! X
A lot of the the “meaty” part of the story honestly didn’t strike me as as crazy or as “oh this is him airing dirty laundry” as the British media would like me to believe - having a twin sibling and a terribly stressful relationship between me, my twin, and our parents, I was just like “oh this is tame.” Perspectives, perspectives…And also as an avid history enthusiast, I find it interesting, but not surprising that the whole “primogeniture” thing is well n alive in the British Royal family - after all even we used to joke about having an “extra kid” growing up, and mind you, we were twins! Ha.
Enjoyed your video a lot Leena, thank you for trying to be so objective about it! Prior to the Netflix show I didn't care much about Harry (and Meghan) but since learning more about what they've been through I am very much in favour of them and tend to hate the royal family all the more. I probably won't read the book because time, but all that I've heard sounds reasonable, rational and sensible. I hate the media and what they have done to these human beings.
Completely agree….the negative narrative being put out about them is so bad.
Great review, I just finished the book today and shared your review with my friends that have been reading it with me. I went into this book as someone who had little interest in the royals but hasn’t able to avoid the strong and often rude opinions in the press and even the people close to me on the topic and I wanted to read something from the source. I thought this was a powerful memoir and he did an incredible job of telling his story. I think the contents of the book are very believable and I feel like the true villains here are the institution and the press. I’m glad I have read it and formed my own opinion instead of parroting the opinions of others.
Thank you Leena!!! This is a good reminder for me to avoid super condensed contents like Tiktok. I had a completely different perception of this book before I’ve watched your video. I want to pick it up myself sometime 😊
been waiting to hear your take on this😫
This was such a fun and interesting review! I will definitely be reading the book even tho I don’t usually care about the royals and I don’t live in the U.K. anymore. I like how you tell just the right amount about the book and share your thoughts, thank you! 🥰❤️
I have mostly avoided any ‘discourse’ around this, but my reaction what I have seen is that it seems rather sad. Thank you for this video - it’s made me feel comfortable continuing to not have strong opinions on this, whilst still having a vague understanding of the context of many of the issues in it.
Your review and comments is the only one so far that I find constructive, informative and insightful. Thank you so much. I really appreciate you!!!!
Wonderfully articulate and nuanced. Thanks!
I really admire your RF and their classy adherence to tradition, and their discipline to duty. It’s very reassuring to us, the best to your RF.
I always appreciate your enthusiasm, intelligence and compassion!
I did read it but found so much more resonance (especially as a non british reader) with your fantastic video!!
My opinions about this whole thing were definitely not my own. Thank you for taking your time to talk about it, it made me reconsider what I've been thinking for a while about the whole M&H situation. Not sure if it's going to make me read the book, but my mindset is definitely changed now. Also? Seeing how the discourse about the book has been so heavily centered around the dick story and such, and you made it so easy to shift the perception with like one sentence about it, it's scary how the media can shape the narrative and we are so easily fooled to believe it's the ultimate truth.
You convinced me to read this. I love your spectacular review.
Thank you for this!
We can't go over it. We can't go under it. We have to go through it!
my god this is your best book review ever and the bar was high
Thanks Lena. Always love your videos when they come out!
After hearing Harrys' story I feel so sad. The experiences he related in his book about his family and growing up under the media spotlight would have been massively damaging on their own, but I know there was probably much more he didn't share 😥
I hope that he is living his best life and getting the help (and therapy) he needs with a supportive group of friends & chosen family around him.
I really appreciate your critical appraisal of both the book's content and the broader reaction to the book. Loved it, as always!
I've just discovered you and I've now subscribed.
I just wanted to say that it you are gorgeous. It is wonderful to see a non skinny lady who wears such lovely stuff. I am wording this very badly 🤣 but I am a size 14-16 with a larger tummy. My figure has changed since having children and I have lost a lot of confidence in what to wear so it's so nice to see someone with a similar body who wears such lovely things. Thank you 🥰
I absolutely love ‘you’re wrong about’ and this video! Just throwing it out there, but I would really enjoy getting some podcast recommendations from you!