The much-awaited autobiography Spare by Prince Harry was published last week. Overnight, it became a huge smash; it is estimated to have sold more than a million copies in just the first day.
The Prince made numerous revelations about his and Meghan Markle’s existence as members of the British Royal Family. In general, it was really engrossing to read, so those who liked the book may be in luck.
According to some sources, the world may get to see the events that led to Harry and Meghan’s relationship, marriage, employment inside the Royal Family, and eventual separation from it, from a different angle.
Since Harry published his book, Meghan Markle has largely remained silent. Different experts have different theories about why that is, but an intriguing theory has recently come to light.
According to a royal insider, publisher Penguin Random House may pressure Meghan to produce her own memoir following the huge success of Spare.
Harry’s book, Spare, has been available for a week at this point. There have been several responses, both favorable and unfavorable. The fact that it has unquestionably been a huge success story for him and his publisher, though, is something about which there can be no dispute.
According to Harry’s publisher, Penguin Random House, Spare is on its way to setting a new record as the fastest-selling non-fiction book ever. The book sold 400,000 copies on the first day across physical, e-book, and audio formats.
“We always knew this book would fly, but it is exceeding even our most bullish expectations,” Larry Finlay, managing director of Transworld Penguin Random House, said.
“As far as we know, the only books to have sold more in their first day are those starring the other Harry (Potter).”
Harry’s memoir is currently the best-selling book on the UK Amazon site. It is currently anticipated to be 2023’s biggest seller.More data were given by Penguin Random House on Thursday, including the fact that Spare’s first day of sales in the UK, US, and Canada saw 1.4 million copies sold.
There were a total of 16 languages used for its global release.Even though portions of the book were extensively leaked before it was published, coverage of its contents has continued online and in print media.
“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,” President and publisher of the Random House Group, Gina Centrello, said.
“Looking at these extraordinary first day sales, readers clearly agree, Spare is a book that demands to be read, and it is a book we are proud to publish,” she added.
Harry will definitely be happy about the success, not least since it has allowed him to become a Guinness World Record holder. Harry reportedly received $20 million for authoring the book.
Guinness World Records has revealed on its website that Harry’s autobiography has broken the record for fastest-selling non-fiction book ever. 1.43 million copies were officially sold on its first day of release in the US, Canada, and the UK. Harry so broke the previous record set by Barack Obama’s fourth book, A Promised Land, which sold 887,000 copies on the day of release.
Even while Spare was much anticipated, it seems that it might have harmed his standing with the British populace. Only 24% of UK citizens still see him favorably, according to a recent YouGov poll that was published in The Times.
With 68 percent of those surveyed being critical of him, that percentage is down from 80 percent a decade earlier.The survey found that Harry and Meghan’s popularity among people over 65 was significantly lower than that of Prince Andrew.
Harry’s book, which was ghostwritten by American writer J.R. Moehringer, who also wrote memoirs for tennis player Andre Agassi and billionaire Phil Knight, has undoubtedly sparked a variety of responses.
Unsurprisingly, the Royal Family is not among those who have expressed their reactions. It makes sense to presume that will remain the case since no one from the Firm has commented on the book as of the time of publication.
The Netflix documentary on Harry and Meghan, which premiered in December, is comparable. The show’s creators disclosed that they tried to get a response from the Palace but received none. Some people assert that Netflix never inquired about a comment in the first place.
Despite the fact that Harry made several revelations in his book, many of them were left out. The Prince revealed that the first draft of his book was 800 pages lengthy in an interview with The Telegraph.
“It could have been two books, put it that way,” Harry explained, adding that there were some things he simply left unsaid.
“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.”
Harry added: “And there were other bits that I shared with J.R. Moehringer, that I said, ‘Look, I’m telling you this for context, but there’s absolutely no way I’m putting it in there.”
As previously noted, Harry’s publisher Penguin Random House is obviously thrilled with the outcome of the book, and it makes sense to suppose that Harry might theoretically write a second book using the material that wasn’t included in the Spare draft.
But interestingly, there might be another enormous undertaking in the pipeline.The success of Harry’s book has “the heat on” to persuade Meghan Markle to pen one as well, a senior industry source told the Express. Penguin Random House has been “stunned” by this success.
With the publisher, Harry and Meghan agreed to a four-book contract that reportedly included a staggering $20 million advance. Despite this, it’s possible that Harry’s book may earn more than $120 million in worldwide royalties. The figures, according to the industry insider, “took everyone by surprise.”
“Nobody expected sales figures like the ones we are seeing,” the source explained.
“Harry could easily overtake the combined book sales of the Obamas, the company’s current joint best-selling authors. That’s why the heat is on to get Meghan’s version of events – both with the Royal Family and her own family members in America – out there in print as soon as possible, ideally early next year to pick-up sales when demand for Spare slows down.”
While the Sussexes are reportedly presently working on a leadership book, the insider suggested that Meghan might start considering concentrating on a memoir of her own. Without a doubt, such a book would rise to the top of Penguin Random House’s priorities.
“Having seen Harry’s sales, they’re convinced Meghan’s story in her own words can sell even more, especially in the US,” the industry insider claimed.
It is uncertain whether Meghan will publish a memoir. She will, though, according to royal pundit Andre Phillips, who likens her and Harry to former president Barack Obama and his wife, the former first lady Michelle Obama.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if she came out with a book herself,” Phillips said.
“I really feel like they’re trying to follow up the Obamas in a way because Barack had a book, now Michelle has a book. So, I think she’s going to definitely come out with her bombshell tell-all.”
Harry spent months in the public eye before Spare was released. He shared a lot of information about his life, upbringing, and the Royal Family through the Netflix documentary, interviews, and the tell-all book.
His assertion that he wasn’t invited to William and Kate’s home following the birth of his nephew, Prince George, his description of Camilla as “dangerous,” and his description of a physical conflict with his older brother were among the most interesting things he revealed. Additionally, he spoke openly about his time spent in Afghanistan and occasionally spoke on behalf of his wife, Meghan.
Meghan stated that Kate Middleton had made her cry over the flower-girl outfits on her wedding day in their infamous interview with Oprah Winfrey, directly refuting earlier statements made by the tabloid press.
“It really hurt my feelings. It was a really hard week of the wedding. And she was upset about something, but she owned it, and she apologized. And she brought me flowers and a note, apologizing,” Meghan said.
“I think so much of what I have seen play out [in the media] is this idea of polarity, where if you love me, you don’t have to hate her. And if you love her, you don’t need to hate me.”
Between Meghan and Kate, things were already heated at that point. Both individuals saw one another for the first time in a long time when they both attended Queen Elizabeth’s funeral last October.
It’s interesting to note that at the time, sources said Kate and Meghan never spoke to one another.With the publication of a number of confidential texts from the days preceding his and Meghan’s wedding, Harry provided fresh information in his book Spare on what actually transpired between Kate and Meghan in 2018.
They were centered on Princess Charlotte, Meghan’s niece and Kate’s daughter, who was required to wear a certain dress as a flower girl at the St. George’s Chapel on the grounds of Windsor.
The dresses worn by the flower girls were all “french couture,” yet none had been fitted before being made. Harry stated that some modifications would therefore likely be required.
In his book, Harry described how, after a text conversation with Kate, he saw his soon-to-be wife “sobbing on the floor.” Meghan received a text message from Kate, according to Harry: “Charlotte’s dress is too big, too long, too baggy. She cried when she tried it on at home.”
Harry first asserted that Kate refused to see Meghan’s tailor at Kensington Palace to have the dress altered. But in the end, every bridesmaid’s dress had to be altered, and new ones had to be produced.
Moreover, Harry claimed that Kate had discussions with her “own wedding designer” about the dress problems.
“Meg asked if Kate was aware of what was going on right now. With her father,” Harry said. “Kate said she was well aware, but the dresses. And the wedding is in four days!”
“I’m not sure what else to say. If the dress doesn’t fit then, please take Charlotte to see Ajay. He’s been waiting all day,” Meghan texted Kate, according to Harry.
Kate replied with: “Fine.” Harry added: “A short time later I arrived home and found Meg on the floor. Sobbing,” adding that he was “horrified” seeing his then-future-wife on the floor like that. “It was intolerable but temporary. Kate hadn’t meant any harm, I told her,” Harry said.
Harry further claimed in Spare that Kate had “Problems with the way Meg was planning her wedding. Something about a party for the page boys? It went back and forth.”
