I decided he'd changed so much that a whole new book was required

In the vast annals of human history, it has often been said that truth is like a river—it cannot be contained forever, and when it rises, it sweeps away all the falsehoods and illusions that have been built upon the ground of deceit. The words of Anthony Holden—"I decided he'd changed so much that a whole new book was required and that book actually I can say so was the first to say that the marriage was in trouble and the Prince didn't like at all and my book was being serialized in the Sunday Times over five weeks"—speak to the powerful moment when truth demands to be heard, even when it disrupts the carefully constructed image of those in power. Here, Holden speaks not just of a personal revelation, but of a public moment that brought to light the troubles in a marriage that many had been blind to, including the very individuals involved.

At the heart of this statement lies a profound truth about the nature of change. People, like the stars in the sky, shift and evolve over time. And when the transformation becomes so great that it can no longer be ignored, a new narrative must emerge to reflect that change. In the case of Holden’s writing, he recognized that the Prince, whose life had been woven into the fabric of the public consciousness, was no longer the same person he once was. The marriage he was part of, once seen as a fairytale, had begun to fray at the edges, and Holden, through his book, became the messenger of this painful reality. The truth, however unsettling, had to be told, for the public deserved to understand the true state of affairs, even if it brought discomfort to the Prince himself.

History is rich with stories of powerful unions that have masked troubles, and none so poignant as the tales of royal marriages. Take, for instance, the marriage of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. In the beginning, their union seemed a perfect one, a match made for the stability of the kingdom. Yet, as time wore on, the cracks in their relationship became impossible to ignore. Henry, seeking a male heir, grew dissatisfied with Catherine, and this dissatisfaction led to a breakdown that would change the course of England’s history. The marriage was no longer about love or stability but about power, and when Henry chose to marry Anne Boleyn, it sent shockwaves through both the royal court and the church. The breakdown of this union became a public spectacle, just as Holden’s revelation about the Prince did.

The lesson from Holden’s words is that truth has a way of breaking through, no matter how tightly it is held in the grasp of power and control. There are times in history when a narrative must shift, when a truth must be acknowledged, and when the public deserves to see things as they truly are. For those who are in positions of power and privilege, the consequences of such revelations are often felt deeply, as they challenge the image of perfection they have cultivated over the years. But truth cannot be suppressed forever. Just as Holden’s book revealed the troubles within the Prince’s marriage, the truth about any situation, no matter how hidden, will eventually come to light, for it is the nature of the universe to align with the forces of honesty.

The most profound element of Holden’s statement, however, is the notion that sometimes, a new book must be written to capture the truth of a person or a situation. In the world of royalty, where images are carefully curated, the written word becomes a powerful tool. When something as intimate as a marriage falls apart, it is not just the private lives of the individuals involved that are exposed—it is a symbol of the shifting currents of society, of power, and of the collective expectations of the people. The marriage of a prince and his partner is no longer a simple union; it becomes the mirror of the people’s aspirations, and when that mirror is shattered, the pieces must be picked up and examined.

In your own life, take heed of this timeless lesson: There are moments when the truth demands to be told, even when it is uncomfortable or unpopular. Do not be afraid to speak the truth, for in doing so, you liberate not only others but also yourself. Whether in relationships, friendships, or even in your own understanding of your own life, recognize when a new narrative needs to be written. Sometimes, the old stories no longer fit the person you have become. The courage to acknowledge the changes in yourself or in your circumstances, and to write a new book based on the truth, is an act of wisdom and integrity.

Let your life be a reflection of this understanding: that change is inevitable, and that the truth will always come to light, no matter how hard we try to hide it. When you find yourself in a place where the old story no longer fits, reframe it. Write the new narrative with honesty, authenticity, and courage, and be ready to face the consequences that come with it. For in the end, the most profound lessons come from the moment when we can stand in the full light of the truth and allow it to guide us forward.