Beyonce Knowles' latest self-titled album has surpassed all sales expectations by exceeding the one million downloads mark on iTunes within a week, securing the R&B singer a well-deserved world record.

Beyonce
Beyoncé's New Album Exceeds Download Sales Expectations.

Just six days after Beyoncé dropped her surprise record, download sales have surpassed one million copies, setting a record for iTunes, Apple Inc and Columbia Records, according to Reuters. Titled Beyoncé, the fifth solo studio album from the singer was unexpectedly released in the early hours of December 13th and contains 14 new songs and 17 videos.

Upon the album's sudden release, Beyoncé topped the iTunes album charts across the world. With her landmark iTunes sales, the singer has also secured a number one hit on the Billboard 200 album chart yesterday, with 617,000 copies sold in the United States by the week ending December 15, according to figures from Nielsen SoundScan.

Beyonce Knowles
Beyoncé Can Jump For Joy Knowing Her Latest Album Has Broken Records.

Remarkably, Beyoncé's new album's success has occurred without any big fanfare with just a simple announcement from the star and word of mouth being enough to send fans into a buying frenzy. As Beyoncé took to the stage last night (18th Dec.) for her Washington D.C leg of her Mrs. Carter Show World Tour, it was clear that the world was at her feet.

The release marks the end of a long year of touring and looking after her baby daughter, Blue Ivy. The new album features collaborations with Drake, Frank Ocean, Sia, Justin Timberlake, Pharrell, her husband Jay Z and their one-year-old daughter Blue Ivy.

Beyonce New Album
Queen Bey Keeps Her Crown.

Though the digital deluxe version of Beyoncé is currently only available via iTunes retailing at $15.99, a physical copy is expected just in time for Christmas.