(London) 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 must be sold after midnight at some retailers that have remained open for the occasion. Some brands offer it at half price (14 pounds sterling, or 15.90 euros, instead of 28 pounds).
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 was already placed on their shelves by mistake a few hours Thursday in 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.
We already know that 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.
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.
“Reclaiming my story”
Why expose yourself like this three years after distancing yourself from the British monarchy? “After 38 years of seeing 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 the British channel ITV.
But nothing “was done with the intent to injure or harm” his father Charles III, his brother William or his family.
The prince has shown a desire for reconciliation with his family. But on the American channel CBS, he admitted that William and he did not currently speak to each other and that he had not exchanged with his father “for a long time”.
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”.
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 the “Sussex”, believes to see “an olive branch” extended to the royal family, but for the newspapers the damage is already 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.
He also accuses his brother and his wife Kate of having had “stereotypes” towards Meghan, a mixed-race American actress, who “created an obstacle” to welcome her 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 preceding its broadcast, the interview on ITV was watched by 4.1 million viewers, doubled by the BBC which broadcast a series.
The British seem tired of Harry and Meghan, omnipresent in the media for weeks. Their unpopularity reached record highs. According to a YouGov poll, 64% of Britons have a negative image of Harry.