Spare Autobiography by Prince Harry Becomes Smash Hit
The highly anticipated autobiography Spare by Prince Harry was released last week, and it immediately soared in popularity, selling over a million copies on its first day.
Potential Memoir from Meghan Markle
While Prince Harry’s book has garnered significant attention, Meghan Markle has remained relatively silent. However, rumors suggest that publisher Penguin Random House may be pressuring Meghan to write her own memoir following the success of Spare.
According to a royal insider, there is speculation that Meghan Markle might produce her own memoir in response to the remarkable success of Prince Harry’s book.
Record-Breaking Sales for Spare
The sales figures for Spare have exceeded expectations. Penguin Random House reports that the book is on track to become the fastest-selling non-fiction book ever. On the first day, it sold 400,000 copies in various formats, including physical, e-book, and audio.
“We always knew this book would fly, but it is exceeding even our most bullish expectations,” said Larry Finlay, the managing director of Transworld Penguin Random House.
Harry’s Book Becomes Best-Seller
Spare is currently the top-selling book on the UK Amazon site and is anticipated to be the bestselling book of 2023. The book sold 1.4 million copies on its first day across the UK, US, and Canada, with a global release in 16 languages.
“Vulnerable and heartfelt, brave and intimate, Spare is the story of someone we may have thought we already knew, but now we can truly come to understand Prince Harry through his own words,” said Gina Centrello, President and publisher of the Random House Group.
Potential Memoir from Meghan Markle
The success of Prince Harry’s book has put pressure on Meghan Markle to consider writing her own memoir. Penguin Random House, impressed by the sales figures, believes that Meghan’s story in her own words would resonate with readers, particularly in the US.
“Having seen Harry’s sales, they’re convinced Meghan’s story in her own words can sell even more, especially in the US,” stated an industry insider.
Harry’s Revelations and Public Reception
Prince Harry’s book contains numerous revelations about his life and the Royal Family. Although the book received mixed reviews, it has undoubtedly been a commercial success. However, a recent YouGov poll shows that Harry’s popularity among UK citizens has decreased, with only 24% viewing him favorably.
Controversial Excerpts from Spare
In his book, Prince Harry shared intriguing details about his personal relationships and experiences. However, he chose not to include certain sensitive information, particularly about his brother, Prince William, and his father, Prince Charles. The decision to exclude these details was to protect their relationships.
“There are some things that have happened, especially between me and my brother, and to some extent between me and my father, that I just don’t want the world to know. Because I don’t think they would ever forgive me,” explained Prince Harry.
Incident between Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle
Prince Harry’s book also shed light on a previously undisclosed incident involving Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton during the wedding preparations.
Harry and Meghan agreed to a lucrative four-book contract with the publisher, reportedly receiving a staggering $20 million advance. Surprisingly, there are indications that Harry’s book might generate over $120 million in worldwide royalties, a revelation that caught many in the industry off guard.
According to an industry insider, the sales figures for Harry’s book have exceeded all expectations. The insider explained, “No one anticipated such remarkable sales figures.” In fact, there’s a possibility that Harry could surpass the combined book sales of the Obamas, who are currently the best-selling authors for the publishing company. To capitalize on this momentum, there is pressure to release Meghan’s account of events involving the Royal Family and her own American family members as soon as possible, preferably early next year when demand for Harry’s book subsides.
While the Sussexes are reportedly working on a leadership book, the insider suggests that Meghan should seriously consider focusing on her own memoir, which would undoubtedly become a top priority for Penguin Random House. The industry insider claims, “Given the success of Harry’s book, they are convinced that Meghan’s personal story, told in her own words, has the potential to sell even more, particularly in the United States.”
Although it remains uncertain whether Meghan will publish a memoir, royal pundit Andre Phillips, drawing a parallel with former president Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, believes that she is likely to release a book of her own. Phillips said, “I wouldn’t be surprised if she came out with a book herself. It seems like they’re following in the footsteps of the Obamas. Barack had a book, and now Michelle has a book. So, I think Meghan will definitely publish her own bombshell tell-all.”
Prior to the release of Harry’s book, he had been in the public eye for months, sharing a wealth of information about his life, upbringing, and the Royal Family through a Netflix documentary, interviews, and the tell-all book. Some of the most intriguing revelations included his claim of not being invited to William and Kate’s home after the birth of his nephew, Prince George, his characterization of Camilla as “dangerous,” and his account of a physical altercation with his older brother. Additionally, he openly discussed his experiences in Afghanistan and occasionally spoke on behalf of his wife, Meghan.
During the infamous interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan stated that Kate Middleton had made her cry over flower-girl outfits on her wedding day, directly contradicting earlier reports by tabloid press. Meghan said, “It really hurt my feelings. It was a really difficult week leading up to the wedding. She was upset about something, but she took responsibility, apologized, and even brought me flowers and a note to apologize.” She further emphasized the need to move away from a polarizing narrative, saying, “So much of what is played out in the media is this idea of polarity—either you love me or you hate her, and vice versa. But that’s not necessary.”
Tensions between Meghan and Kate were already high at that point. They had not spoken to each other for a considerable period until they both attended Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in October of the previous year.
Interestingly, at that time, sources revealed that Kate and Meghan had never communicated with each other. Harry’s book, “Spare,” shed light on the events that transpired between Kate and Meghan in 2018 by sharing a series of private texts exchanged before his and Meghan’s wedding. The conversations revolved around Princess Charlotte, Meghan’s niece and Kate’s daughter, who was assigned to wear a specific dress as a flower girl at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor.