PRINCE Harry’s ability to accurately recall events has been thrown into doubt by a vivid memory detailed in his newly published memoir, Spare.
In the book, which is released today, the Duke of Sussex goes into detail about the hugely significant moment he was told his great-grandmother, the Queen Mother, had died in March 2002.
The 38-year-old gave evocative and specific details about the “bright and warm” weather at his school in Eton when he took the dreaded “phone call”.
But following a probe by GB News’ Royal Reporter Cameron Walker it can be disclosed that according to reports at the time the Prince – who was 17 at the time – wasn’t even in the UK and was actually away skiing in snowy Switzerland.
In Spare, Harry writes: “At Eton, while studying, I took a call. I wish I could remember whose voice was at the other end; a courtier’s, I believe.
“I recall that it was just before Easter, the weather was bright and warm, light slanting through my window, filled with vivid colours. Your Royal Highness, the Queen Mother has died.”
However, news reports at the time explicitly detail that Prince Harry was away skiing with his father and brother in Klosters, Switzerland, when the 101-year-old died in her sleep at Royal Lodge, Windsor.
Pictures also show him returning to the UK from the continent the day after the death.
The stark inconsistencies in that recollection could raise questions about the accuracy of other claims made by the Duke of Sussex in his new memoir.
A former royal correspondent, who covered the Wales’ Ski trip at the time, confirmed to GB News that journalists had recently arrived back in the UK from a pre-agreed photocall in Switzerland, to allow the royal princes some private time after they received news the Queen Mother was gravely ill.
Buckingham Palace issued the following statement on March 30 2002: “The Queen, with the greatest sadness, has asked for the following announcement to be made immediately: Her beloved mother, Queen Elizabeth, died peacefully in her sleep this afternoon.
“Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother had become increasingly frail in recent weeks following her bad cough and chest infection over Christmas.
Her condition deteriorated this morning and her doctors were called. Queen Elizabeth died peacefully in her sleep at 3.15pm at Royal Lodge.”
The then Prince of Wales’s spokeswoman issued a statement from Klosters later that day, where he was staying with both of his sons, adding: “He [Charles] is devastated. His only wish is to get home as soon as he can.”
A BBC News online report from the time added: “William and Harry [were] away skiing in Klosters when the 101-year-old died in her sleep.”
The Daily Mail reported at the time that the ‘three Princes’ travelled home together.
There is no suggestion the Duke of Sussex deliberately told a mistruth in his memoir, and a former insider has pointed out this could be a simple “honest mistake”.
But such lapses in memory raise concerns about other claims made in the controversial memoir, which is already being heavily scrutinised.