Staff unwrap a box containing copies of the newly released autobiography from the Duke of Sussex (James Manning/PA)
(Picture: PA Wire)The Duke of Sussex’s autobiography is the fastest-selling non-fiction book ever, with 400,000 copies snapped up so far across hardback, ebook and audio formats on its first day of publication, its publisher has said.
Spare lifts the lid on Prince Harry’s fractious relationship with his father King Charles and his brother William.
He has conducted a series of interviews promoting the book which has generated publicity across the globe with the spotlight on his searing criticism of the royal family and press.
Larry Finlay, managing director of Transworld Penguin Random House, said; “We always knew this book would fly but it is exceeding even our most bullish expectations.
“As far as we know, the only books to have sold more in their first day are those starring the other Harry (Potter).”
Spare was first leaked in Spain, where it mistakenly went on sale last week, and a host of revelations and private details about Harry’s life and family have since emerged.
Allegations from the book include his brother, the Prince of Wales, physically attacking him, and Meghan upsetting the Princess of Wales by saying she must have “baby brain” in the run-up to the Sussexes’ 2018 wedding.
Bookshops in the UK opened early on Tuesday to offer Harry’s book - but queues were sparse after leaks ahead of the publication, with industry experts predicting Spare would be one of the best-selling pre-order titles of the past decade.
It is being sold for £14, not the recommended retail price of £28, in places such as Waterstones and WH Smith as well as online at Amazon.
Philip Jones, editor of The Bookseller said: “It is likely to be one of the biggest books of the year in terms of sales and impact.”
Asked how many copies a book has to sell to do well, Mr Jones said if it reaches 50,000 it will be “number one” and a “success”.
On Tuesday, Spare was number one in the UK Amazon chart and was listed as a bestseller on the company’s audiobook arm Audible and on Waterstones’ website.
