Prince Harry ridiculed as memoir is called ‘Top Toilet Book’

The survey, commissioned by toilet paper brand Cushelle, highlighted how Brits are increasingly using reading as a form of escape during short bathroom breaks, with 41-year-old Harry’s candid, episodic stories proving particularly suited to quick, intermittent reading.

A palace source said: ‘For Harry, this is the kind of recognition he could have done without. Placing him at the top of a list like this risks turning what was intended to be a deeply personal and serious story into something people associate with casual, even dismissive consumption, and it makes him even more of a laughing stock than he already is.”

“There’s a sense that it adds to the narrative that some critics have put forward — that his story is being treated more as a curiosity than a legacy-defining work,” the insider noted.

The source continued: “At the same time, there is an irony that cannot be ignored. The structure of the book, short, lively confessional passages, makes it ideal for dipping in and out, which is exactly how people tend to read in that setting. But for Harry, he saw Save as a way to reclaim his voice and position, this kind of framing can feel limiting. It makes him look ridiculous, especially in Britain, where public sentiment towards him remains divided.

“People are joking. The only throne he can get close to now is the white one in people’s bathrooms!”

Behavioral psychologist Jo Hemmings, who contributed to the book poll research, offered a different perspective on the popularity of Harry’s book.

She said: ‘The toilet is one of the few places where people feel removed from the demands and social expectations, so they often gravitate towards books that are compelling, conversational or even a little provocative. Save fits in perfectly with that; it’s easy to get in and out of, emotionally engaging, driven by personal stories, and no coincidence that the title can also be interpreted as precious ‘spare’ time.

The research also revealed wider habits around bathroom use: Brits visit the toilet an average of six times a day and spend just over five minutes per visit, which equates to around seven days a year. Nearly a third of parents admit they occasionally go to the bathroom to escape their children, while a quarter say they retreat there to avoid their partner, and 22 percent to avoid colleagues.

Hemmings added: “Modern life is overwhelmingly noisy, digital, social and emotional. People are overstimulated and underrested.

“The bathroom is uniquely a space where boundaries are culturally respected. Behind a closed door you have permission to take a break. It’s no coincidence that people prolong their bathroom visits—whether by desire or unconsciously. They’re not just relieving themselves; they’re taking a precious moment for emotional regulation.”

Cushelle’s campaign also introduced a new concept, a fully flushable magazine titled Porcelainprinted on toilet paper with flushable ink. Distributed through social media giveaways, the publication is designed to be read and discarded page by page, reflecting what the company describes as a shift to “single-use, guilt-free distraction.”

Regionally, Aberdeen emerged as the most visited city in Britain, while Cambridge recorded the longest average time per visit.