Prince Harry’s upcoming memoir will be part of a lucrative four-book deal, with the second not being released until after the Queen’s death, it has been claimed.
The Duke of Sussex’s chronicle, which he promises will cover ‘the highs and lows’ of his life growing up in the Royal Family, is just the ‘tip of the iceberg’, according to an industry insider.
The deal is thought to be worth as much as £29 million following a bidding war between publishing houses which is said to have been overseen by Harry himself.
The first book is expected to be released by Penguin Random House in late 2022, coinciding with Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.
A source in the publishing industry told the Daily Mail Harry’s second book will not come out until after the Queen has died.
His wife Meghan Markle is also set to write a ‘wellness-type’ book as part of the contract, while it is unclear who will pen the fourth.
The Duke of Sussex is said to have ‘led’ the negotiations from his home in California, with two publishers flying out to meet him as others took part in the ‘auction’ via video.
According to the source, ‘he had a very “take it or leave it” attitude’.
They told the Mail: ‘His starting price was $25 million (£18 million) and the final figure was way north of that, possibly as much as $35 to 40 million (£25 to 29 million).
‘Those involved were actually very shocked by his approach, which was to look at them coldly and state his demands: $25 million.’
The source went on to say that the ‘most shocking’ part of it all was that Harry’s second book will be held back until his grandmother has passed, adding: ‘People [will] start asking, naturally: what has he got, who is he going to target?’
The Royal Family is said to be concerned by his decision to work with Pulitzer-winning ghostwriter JR Moehringer on what the duke has said will be an ‘accurate and wholly truthful’ account of his life.
Aides reportedly fear it will prove to be a one-sided account that will only renew tensions with his estranged family following a string of interviews, including the explosive sit-down with Oprah Winfrey back in March.
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