Prince Harry ‘begged’ friends and ex-girlfriends to feature in upcoming memoir Spare

Prince Harry “stunned” his friends by asking them to contribute to his upcoming memoir.

The Duke of Sussex asked his pals and some former girlfriends to talk to his ghost writer, JR Moehringer, about his upbringing, life and relationships, for new book Spare but it is believed many of them turned down the request, having spent years being warned not to speak about their bond with the prince.

It has been claimed that Harry, whose ex-girlfriends include Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas, got in touch with some of his old flames over the summer, though it is unknown which of his former partners were asked.

Harry is now married to Meghan Markle and the couple are parents to three-year-old Archie and 16-month-old Lilibet.

A source told The Sun online: “Harry did reach out. Friends and girlfriends were polite and said they would think about it but ultimately most said no.

”It was felt to be kind of ironic that Harry would hit the roof if he ever had an inkling they spoke to the media, but now he wants them to when he needs their help.”

This image provided by the Random House Group shows the cover of “Spare,” Prince Harry's memoir. The book is an object of obsessive anticipation worldwide since first announced last year, is coming out Jan. 10. (Random House Group via AP)

Spare was originally supposed to be released this year, but it was announced a few days ago it will hit shelves on 10 January, with publishers said to have asked the 38-year-old royal to offer “more detail” in several areas of the tome. Harry also wanted to reflect on the passing of his grandmother the Queen in the book.

A source said: “The book has been back and forth between Harry and JR Moehringer and the publishers a few times.

”They wanted more than was in the first draft, and then Harry wanted to refine things after the Queen passed away.

Prince Harry and Cressida Bonas were together for three years. Photo / File

”But there has been extra to-ing and fro-ing that people don’t know about. This is because the publishers wanted more areas covered and more detail on some things that were already included.

”There is a real concern that that means Harry has had to sex up the book and include revelations that even he might not even be that comfortable with.”