Spare despair

MOST people have heard about Prince Harry’s most recent claim to fame - his memoir titled “The Spare”.

I’ve heard enough about it to know it is about being born third in line for the throne.

I also know that I have no interest in reading it.

However, as the youngest of three, it did make me think about all the things I’ve had to endure as “the spare”.

I am convinced that no-one receives as much attention as a first-born does prior to the arrival of a sibling.

As evidence, I need look no further than the dusty photo albums at home.

My oldest sister has an entire baby album dedicated to her every waking moment. Her first bath, first time eating potato, first time rolling over, second time eating potato - there’s a photo of everything and anything she ever did.

When I found the album with my own name on it, my excitement quickly dissipated.

You could say there were just a few gaps in my album.