Prince Harry smashes UK records despite controversy and inconsistencies surrounding his explosive autobiography

Prince Harry's autobiography was released on January 10
Prince Harry's autobiography was released on January 10
POOL
Svar Nanan-Sen

By Svar Nanan-Sen


Published: 18/01/2023

- 10:30

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 10:22

The Duke of Sussex's memoir has sold 750,000 copies across all platforms during its first week

Prince Harry's autobiography has sold a record number of copies for a non-fiction book in the UK during its first week.

The controversial memoirs contained multiple attacks on members of the Royal Family as well as some noticeable inconsistencies.


The book is top of the books charts having sold 467,183 print copies which is also a domestic record.

Guinness World Records confirmed the book as the fastest-selling nonfiction book ever on its first day of publication.

Prince Harry's Spare is the fastest selling memoir according to records
Prince Harry's Spare is the fastest selling memoir according to records
PIROSCHKA VAN DE WOUW

Larry Finlay, managing director of Transworld, the Penguin Random House (PRH) division which published Spare in the UK, said: "We now know that it is also the biggest-selling memoir ever in its first week of publication."

Prince Harry's autobiography is the fastest-selling non-fiction book in the UK since Nielsen BookData’s records began in 1998.

Pinch of Nom cookbook by Kay Allinson, which sold 210,506 copies in its first three days of release in 2019 was the previous record holder.

Despite the book's success, there are several inconsistencies in the autobiography, including a significant error in the book, which was exclusively revealed by GB News, regarding where Prince Harry was when he learned of the Queen Mother's death.

In Spare, Harry writes: "At Eton, while studying, I took a call. I wish I could remember whose voice was at the other end; a courtier's, I believe.

"I recall that it was just before Easter, the weather was bright and warm, light slanting through my window, filled with vivid colours. Your Royal Highness, the Queen Mother has died."

However, news reports at the time explicitly detail how Prince Harry was away skiing with his father and brother in Klosters, Switzerland, when the 101-year-old died in her sleep at Royal Lodge, Windsor.

Pictures also show him returning to the UK from the continent the day after the death.

A former royal correspondent, who covered the Wales' Ski trip at the time, confirmed to GB News that British journalists had recently arrived back in the UK from a pre-agreed photocall in Switzerland.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down as working members of the Royal Family in 2020
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down as working members of the Royal Family in 2020
ANDREW KELLY

They had left the family in Klosters, where Charles, William and Harry subsequently spent some private time together after they received news the Queen Mother was gravely ill.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told GB News: "This is a serious error in a hugely controversial book.

"That Harry is clearly wrong in his recollection of the facts as to where he was when the Queen Mother died leaves doubt as to how closely this book has been fact-checked.

"One wonders how many other factual errors are to be found within its pages."

You may like