Prince William's influence led Harry into risky behaviour, his memoir Spare reveals

The complex dynamics between Prince William and Prince Harry during their teenage years are laid bare in a recent memoir. Prince Harry's new revelations about his time at Eton College, as detailed in his book Spare, suggest that his older brother's well-intentioned guidance inadvertently exposed him to risky behaviour.

According to Robert Lacey's 2020 book, Battle of Brothers, Prince William took a protective role when Harry joined him at Eton in 1998, just a year after their mother, Princess Diana, passed away. Lacey notes that while the brothers developed a close bond, the social environment at Eton, combined with Harry’s younger age, led him into temptations he was ill-prepared to handle.

Harry’s memoir, Spare, provides a candid account of his experiences, including his experimentation with marijuana and later, cocaine. “I don’t remember how we got the stuff. One of my mates, I expect,” Harry writes. He describes how he and his friends used a bathroom at Eton to smoke marijuana, followed by sessions of watching Family Guy. He also recounts his use of cocaine during a shooting weekend, revealing it was part of a deeper struggle with emotional distress stemming from his mother’s death.

The memoir illustrates how William’s efforts to shield Harry from harm ultimately brought him into contact with a more problematic peer group. Lacey’s observations underscore the impact of Diana’s death on the brothers’ lives, shaping their teenage years in ways that would have long-lasting effects.

For further insights, Harry’s memoir Spare offers an unfiltered look at his personal challenges and the influence of his brother during those formative years.