London (AFP) – Editorial blow and great unpacking, the memoirs of Prince Harry, whose most explosive passages against the British royal family have already been widely fanned in the media, land on the shelves of bookstores on Tuesday.
In the United Kingdom, the first copies of the book were sold after midnight (local and GMT) at a few retailers opened especially for the occasion. Some brands offer it at half price (14 pounds sterling, or 15.90 euros, instead of 28 pounds).
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At the WHSmith bookstore in London’s Victoria station, copies of “Spare” (“The Substitute”) left their black plastic packaging at midnight sharp, under the lenses of more journalists than customers.
First to wait, Chris Imafidon, president of an association in education, wants to hear the story “from the horse’s mouth”. “I really want to be able to see what his perspective is,” he told AFP, before leaving with three copies.
After ‘avoiding’ leaks of the book’s contents in recent days, 27-year-old waitress Sasha Pursell wants to approach the book with a ‘fresh look’ to form her ‘own opinion’. “Obviously, that’s one side of the story,” she adds, “very intrigued” to discover Prince Harry’s childhood.
Sarah Nakana, a 46-year-old commercial property expert, wants to “hear her story in her own words”, saying the press is “radicalizing” the British public against Prince Harry”.
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– “Reclaim my story” –
In English, the book comes out in the United Kingdom, but also in the United States, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, India, South Africa and Canada. It is also published in 15 other languages. It has already been placed by mistake a few hours Thursday on the shelves of bookstores in Spain.
The divisions within British royalty come to light there, confronting this institution with planetary influence with a deep crisis barely four months after the death of the very popular Elizabeth II.
William, the heir to the throne, his “beloved brother and sworn enemy”, is his main target. But King Charles III, head of state of 15 countries who will be crowned on May 6, is not spared either. Just like Kate, the wife of William, and Camilla, the queen consort.
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The 38-year-old prince has given several television interviews to promote and defend his book, from California where he went into exile in 2020 with his wife Meghan.
“After 38 years of having my story told by so many people with intentional distortions and manipulations, it felt like the right time to reclaim my story,” he explained on Wednesday evening on British channel ITV.
But nothing “was done with the intention of hurting or harming” his father Charles III, his brother William or his family, he assured, displaying a desire for reconciliation.
Buckingham Palace did not react to the prince’s statements. The Sunday Times quoted those close to Prince William as saying he is “sad”, “burning inside”, but “remaining silent for the sake of his family and the country”.
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In a landmark moment on ITV, Harry denied accusing the royal family of racism, when he said in March 2021 on US television that a member of the family had questioned the color of his skin. unborn son, as his wife is of mixed race. This interview had revived a lively debate in the United Kingdom on racism.
The British press, mostly very hostile to “Sussex”, believes it sees “an olive branch” extended to the royal family, while believing that the damage has been done.
– Record unpopularity –
In his book, Harry accuses William of knocking him to the ground during a 2019 argument over Meghan, whom Harry had married the year before.
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He also accuses his brother and his wife Kate of “stereotypes” towards Meghan, a mixed-race American actress, who “created an obstacle” to welcome him into the family.
Harry notably also attacks his father’s wife, Camilla, now queen consort, claiming that certain details of private conversations published in the media “could only have been leaked” by her.
Despite intense promotion in the days leading up to its broadcast, the interview on ITV was watched by 4.1 million viewers, doubled by the BBC which was broadcasting a series.
The British seem tired of this princely soap opera. According to a YouGov poll, 64% of Britons have a negative image of Harry.