A Brief Connection Marked by Immediate Media Chaos

In Spare, Prince Harry opens up about his short-lived relationship with TV presenter Caroline Flack, whom he met in 2009 during a dinner outing with friends (BBC). Although their encounter began casually and without expectations, the Duke of Sussex recalls how quickly the media latched onto the story, transforming what could have been a private romance into a public spectacle.

Harry writes that within hours of their meeting becoming known, “a horde of journalists was camped outside Flack’s parents’ house, her friends’ houses, and her grandmother’s house.” The intrusion was so intense that both he and Caroline felt they had lost any sense of privacy almost immediately (BBC).

The Early Spark and How Fame Complicated Everything

According to Harry, he was drawn to Caroline because she was “light, funny and carefree” on the night they met. He also noted that she didn’t have a big ego or any pretence — qualities he found refreshing in contrast to the scrutiny surrounding his public image (Independent).

However, the media frenzy distorted the relationship instantly. Several outlets ran sensationalised headlines, including one that labelled her as Harry’s “bit of rough,” a derogatory phrase that Harry deeply resented (Sky News). Caroline herself later echoed this in her 2015 memoir Storm in a C Cup, writing: “I was no longer Caroline Flack, TV presenter… I was Caroline Flack, Prince Harry’s bit of rough.” (ITV News)

A Relationship “Irredeemably Tainted”

Despite enjoying each other’s company, Harry admits the pressure became “exhausting.” He writes that they “kept going” because they genuinely had a good time together — but the constant harassment eventually pushed them to end the relationship.

Harry explains:
“The relationship was tainted, irredeemably… and in the end we decided it wasn’t worth continuing to endure that level of exhaustion and harassment. Above all, for her family. We said goodbye. Goodbye, and good luck.” (BBC)

The emotional toll extended far beyond the couple themselves. Harry said they were particularly concerned about how the press intrusion was affecting Caroline’s family, who had suddenly been thrust into the spotlight without warning.

Harry’s Reaction to Caroline’s Tragic Death

Caroline Flack died in February 2020 after taking her own life. In Spare, Harry expresses profound sadness upon hearing the news. He reflects on how deeply the media intrusion had scarred her life, even after their relationship ended.

He reportedly wrote:
“I felt so awful for her family. I remembered how they’d all suffered for her mortal sin of going out with me.” (Sky News)

He again remembered her as she had been the night they met: “light and funny… the definition of carefree.”

Caroline Flack’s Own Words on Their Relationship

In her memoir, Caroline described how quickly her identity was overshadowed by her brief connection to the prince. The moment their relationship became known, she felt she was redefined not by her career but by the tabloids' portrayal of her.

She wrote:
“Once the story got out, that was it. We had to stop seeing each other.” (ITV News)

Her perspective aligns closely with Harry’s — a romance destroyed not by incompatibility, but by external pressure.

Criticism Over Harry’s Decision to Include Her in the Memoir

The release of Spare sparked mixed reactions. While many praised Harry’s vulnerability, others questioned whether mentioning Caroline was respectful, especially given her tragic death.

Caroline’s former agent, Alex Mullen, criticised Harry’s decision, calling it “absolutely gross” and accusing him of reviving painful memories and “old slurs she had to suffer in public” (Sky News). Mullen even suggested that Harry should lose his titles over the disclosures.

Meanwhile, several commentators have argued that the memoir highlighted the broader dangers of tabloid culture — a theme consistent with other sections of Harry’s book (The Guardian).