Prince Harry released his much-anticipated, tell-all biography Spare last week. It became a monster hit overnight – during the course of the first day alone, it reportedly sold more than one million copies.
The Prince revealed many things regarding he and Meghan Markle’s life within the British Royal Family. By and large, it made for very compelling reading, and those who enjoyed the book might well be in luck.
As per certain sources, the world may get to view the turn events that saw Harry and Meghan come together, marry, work in and then leave the Royal Family, through a second perspective.
Meghan Markle has been relatively quiet since Harry released his book. Experts have different thoughts as to why that is, but an interesting theory has come to the fore in the last few days.
Namely, one royal insider claims that after the massive success with Spare, publisher Penguin Random House may also push Meghan to release her own memoir.
It’s been a week now since Harry released his book, Spare. The reactions have been many, both positive and negative. But one thing that’s beyond certainty is that it has undoubtedly been a massive success story for him and his publisher.
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.
Harry’s massive success with ‘Spare’
“As far as we know, the only books to have sold more in their first day are those starring the other Harry (Potter).”
On the UK Amazon site, Harry’s memoir is already the top-selling publication. It’s now expected to be the biggest seller of 2023.
On Thursday, Penguin Random House released more stats, revealing that Spare sold 1.4 million copies on its first day in the UK, United States, and Canada. It was released in a total of 16 languages worldwide.
Parts of the book were widely leaked before its release, but its contents have continued to fill airtime and pages both in traditional newspapers and online.
“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 – who reportedly got $20 million for writing the book – will undoubtedly be pleased about the success, not least because it’s made him a Guinness World Record holder.
Harry is a Guinness World Record holder
On its website, Guinness World Records have announced that Harry’s tell-all book has become the fastest-selling non-fiction book of all time. The official number of its first day of sales in the UK, US, and Canada was 1.43 million copies. That meant that Harry surpassed the record held by Barack Obama’s fourth book, A Promised Land, which sold 887,000 copies on its release day.
Though Spare was highly anticipated, it appears that it may have hindered his reputation among the British public. In a new YouGov survey published in The Times, only 24 percent of the UK population have retained a favorable view of him. That number is down from 80 percent a decade ago, with 68 percent of those surveyed being critical of him.
According to the survey, Harry and Meghan’s popularity ratings among those over 65 were even worse than the ratings of Prince Andrew.
Needless to say, Harry’s book – ghostwritten by American journalist J.R Moehringer, who also has written memoirs for billionaire Phil Knight and tennis player Andre Agassi – has evoked its fair share of reactions.
“It could have been two books”
Not among those sharing their reactions, perhaps unsurprisingly, is the Royal Family. At the time of writing, no one from the Firm has commented on the book – it makes sense to assume that will remain the case.
The same can be said for Harry and Meghan’s Netflix documentary, which aired in December. The show’s producers revealed that they had reached out for a comment from the Palace, but were met with silence. Others claim that the Netflix never reached out for a comment in the first place.
Though Harry revealed many things in his book, there was plenty that didn’t make the final cut. In an interview with The Telegraph, the Prince explained that the first draft of his book was 800 pages long.
“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 mentioned, Harry’s publisher Penguin Random House is naturally delighted regarding the book’s outcome, and it makes sense to assume that Harry could technically produce a second book from the content that didn’t make the final manuscript for Spare.
Meghan could release her own memoir, source says
Interestingly, though, there might be another titanic project in the works.
A senior industry source told the Express that Penguin Random House has been left stunned by the success of Harry’s book – and that “the heat is on” to encourage Meghan Markle to write one as well.
Harry and Meghan’s four-book deal with the publisher was said to include an eye-watering $20 million advance. That said, the global royalties for Harry’s book might be in excess of $120 million. The industry source said that the figures have “taken everyone by surprise.”
“Nobody expected sales figures like the ones we are seeing,” the source told the news outlet.
“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 said to currently be working on a leadership book, it might be time for Meghan to start thinking about focusing on a memoir herself, the source added.
Such a book would undoubtedly become Penguin Random House’s top priority.
“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.
Meghan might write “bombshell tell-all” book
Whether or not Meghan will write a memoir remains to be seen. But royal commentator Andre Phillips opines that she probably will, comparing her and Harry to former President Barack Obama and his wife, 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.”
Prior to Spare’s launch, Harry found himself in the spotlight for months. Via the Netflix documentary, a series of interviews, and the tell-all biography, he revealed many things about his life, upbringing, and the Royal Family.
Amongst the juiciest things he divulged was his claim that he wasn’t welcomed to William and Kate’s home after the birth of his nephew, Prince George, his labeling of Camilla as “dangerous,” and his detailing of a physical altercation with his older brother. He also talked candidly about his stint in Afghanistan, and at times spoke on behalf of his wife, Meghan.
In she and Harry’s infamous interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan claimed that Kate Middleton had made her cry over the flower-girl dresses on her wedding day – directly contradicting earlier claims 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.
Harry revealed heated Meghan-Kate messages
“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.”
By that stage, things were tense between Meghan and Kate. Last fall, both attended Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, seeing each other for the first time in a long while. Interestingly, reports at the time suggested that Kate and Meghan didn’t talk to each other at all.
In his book, Spare, Harry revealed new details about exactly what went down between Kate and Meghan in 2018, revealing a series of private texts dating back to the days leading up to him and Meghan tying the knot.
They centered around Kate’s daughter – Meghan’s niece – Princess Charlotte, who was to wear a specific gown as a flower girl at the St George’s Chapel on the Windsor grounds, where the wedding was held.
All the flower girls’ gowns were “french couture,” but none had been fitted before they were crafted. Therefore, Harry wrote that it was expected that some adjustments would be needed.
Of course, for Meghan, it was a highly stressful time. Not only did she have the wedding to think about, but she was also struggling with her father, Thomas Markle, who had leaked pictures to the paparazzi.
Kate didn’t want meet Meghan’s tailor, Harry claims
In his book, Harry wrote he found his then-bride-to-be “sobbing on the floor” following a text exchange with Kate. Harry noted that Kate sent Meghan a text, reading: “Charlotte’s dress is too big, too long, too baggy. She cried when she tried it on at home.”
At first, Harry claimed that Kate didn’t want to meet Meghan’s tailor at Kensington Palace to have the dress fixed. But ultimately, changes had to be made to all the bridesmaids’ gowns, which had to be remade.
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.”