Some would argue that Prince Harry had aired the British Royal Family’s dirty laundry for a while in the past year. His defiance started with the explosive interview with Oprah in 2021, where he and Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, pulled back the curtain on the Crown’s secrets for all to see. However, it was Spare, the memoir, that dropped like an atomic bomb, leaving both sides momentarily stunned in disbelief. And now, a year after the book’s release, this bombshell by Prince Harry has received a huge honor.

Spare had been selected as one of the APA nominees for the 2024 Awards two months ago. These awards celebrate audiobooks that not only engage listeners but also make significant cultural impacts. As per the results, Prince Harry turned out to be the winner of the Inaugural Choice Recognition Award for Audiobook of the Year. This is not the only honor Spare got. The headline-grabbing memoir was also a nominee for the Best Memoir & Autobiography for the Goodreads Choice Award of 2023.

The Duke is also in the running for two nominations at the upcoming British Book Awards for his eyebrow-raising memoir. Nominees at the event are applauded for starting conversations and pushing boundaries. Though it was ghostwritten by J. R. Moehringer, the book is also gunning for the Book of the Year spot. However, the reactions to the APA recognition have been all over the place.

On one side, there were cheers for the Prince, but on the other, some were not too thrilled about the memoir being honored.

Fans split into two camps in reaction to the achievement of Prince Harry

Prince Harry has become a polarizing figure ever since he distanced himself from the royal family. Hence, his fan base is also divided. While his loyal supporters warmly congratulated the Duke of Sussex for his achievement and shared their personal experiences reading the book, others offered special praise for the audiobook, appreciating the opportunity to hear it in the Prince’s voice.

Some even linked this achievement to the collective success of the Sussexes, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, suggesting that it was a win for both of them.

Despite the celebrations, there was also a significant backlash against the honor, with many believing that Prince Harry did not deserve the award.

Many went as far as accusing the Duke of Sussex of buying the award. Even royal insider and commentator Neil Sean expressed a similar sentiment in a YouTube video on Monday. Sean suggested that Spare’s nominations were less about Prince Harry’s writing talents and more about organizers’ hopes for his attendance at the ceremony at London’s JW Marriott Grosvenor House in May.

What are your thoughts on Prince Harry’s Spare winning the APA Award? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!