ONLY seven people bought Prince Harry’s memoir Spare during the WHSmith midnight launch at London Victoria Railway Station – but one customer took three copies.
Store manager Mohammad Alam opened the delivery of hardbacks as the clock turned 12am.
Only seven people queued up to buy Spare at London Victoria Railway Station[/caption]
Chris Imafidon said he felt ‘privileged’ to be first in line[/caption]
Professor Chris Imafidon, from Epping, Essex, had been waiting at the station since 9.30pm to get his hands on three copies of the 417-page book.
He told The Sun: “I feel very privileged to be the first in line and I look forward to seeing what Harry has to say about his life.
“The context is everything. I saw the Spanish copy but I really want to see for myself what type of narrative is inside.
“These events need perspective. The Anderson Cooper interview is very different from the Tom Bradby one, for example.”
“I wanted to buy three for family and friends because it’s useful to hear from a young man who has been through a lot.”
Chris, who is chairman of The Excellence in Education charity, added that he is “dazed” by reports of how much detail the duke has gone into about private family moments.
He said: “Why? Why? You don’t need that to sell.
“You would sell a book if you’re Diana’s hat or Diana’s dog or Diana’s… if you’re linked to Diana you will still sell. Why would you go to that distance?
“I really want to know from (the) horse’s mouth,” he said, adding that he hopes the book is in Harry’s first person voice not in the third person.
“I really want to know why the young man would leave the country he loved, he lived in and was ready to die for, because he went to war.”
Meanwhile train maintainer Lloyd Rosser, 64, was buying the book, currently on sale at half price for £14, for a friend.
He said: “She’s a massive royal fan so I thought it would make a nice surprise. Personally, I’m not that fussed. Maybe I’ll give it a read when I can get it cheaper.”
Sarah Nakana, 46, a property surveyor from Dulwich, South London, added: “I’ve already got the audio book on order but just couldn’t wait. It’s very important to hear what he has to say about his life in his own words. This is a historical record.”
The store remained open until 2am, while Euston Railway Station’s WHSmith saw one woman buy two copies at midnight.
Shops inside Gatwick and Heathrow airports also opened at midnight for travellers wanting to read the Duke’s memoir while flying.
It comes after Prince Harry sparked controversy as he promoted the book in interviews with ITV and CBS.
The Duke of Sussex crossed the King’s ‘red line’ by blasting Queen Camilla as “dangerous” and a “villain”.
Body language expert Judi James revealed the key echoes of Princess Diana’s 1995 Panorama interview displayed in Harry’s sit downs with Tom Bradby and Anderson Cooper.
It comes after Prince Harry’s bombshell interviews with ITV and CBS[/caption]
The prince’s controversial memoir is on sale now[/caption]