The release of Half-Blood Prince, 2005

On 16 and 17 July 2005, Edinburgh Castle hosted a private event to mark the global release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. The sixth instalment in the Harry Potter series was officially published on Saturday, 16 July 2005. By that time, more than 250 million copies of the series had already been sold worldwide. The new release sold nearly seven million copies within the first 24 hours—a record that was only broken by its sequel, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

A unique invitation to 70 young fans

To celebrate the launch, 70 children aged 8 to 16 were invited from across the English-speaking world. Participants were selected through various competitions, including one organised by The Guardian, in which entrants had to explain in fewer than 100 words: “I would like to meet J.K. Rowling because…”

The children were brought to Edinburgh Castle by horse-drawn carriages on the evening of Friday, 15 July, ahead of the official launch. At 11:45 p.m., J.K. Rowling arrived at the castle, greeted by thousands of fans gathered outside. A large stage and themed activities had been set up to entertain the crowds in the lead-up to midnight.

J.K. Rowling’s exclusive reading and Q&A session

Just after midnight, Rowling held an exclusive reading inside the castle walls, sharing parts from Chapter 6 of the new book with the 70 invited attendees. The moment was broadcast live as part of the ITV special Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: Magic at Midnight, hosted by Stephen Mulhern and viewed by audiences around the world.

Media outlets from across the globe were present in Edinburgh, but none were granted access to the event inside the castle. The only photographer permitted to document the private proceedings was Douglas Robertson, commissioned by publisher Bloomsbury. He captured both the midnight reading and a Q&A session with Rowling held on the morning of Sunday, 17 July.

Signed copies

Signed copies of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince linked to this event are exceptionally rare and among the most valuable original Harry Potter books. This was the only official signing event for the book. Each of the 70 children in attendance received a signed copy during the launch. In addition, a very limited number of signed copies were given to individuals directly involved in the event. These are regarded as association copies due to their direct connection with the launch.

Following the release, Rowling’s office occasionally provided signed copies for charitable causes or as part of select book sets. Although these are also very scarce, the copies distributed during the launch event are considered the most significant. Their provenance, combined with the fact that they mark the book’s official release, makes them especially sought-after by collectors.

The book launch at Edinburgh Castle is widely regarded as one of the most remarkable literary events in recent history. The blend of a historic location, carefully curated programming, and global media attention reinforced the Harry Potter series’ cultural impact on a worldwide scale.

Rarity of signed first editions: ★★★★★