Meghan Markle to publish children's book based on Harry and Archie

Book grew out of a poem Meghan wrote for Harry for their first Father’s Day after Archie’s birth

This combination photo shows Meghan, Duchess of Sussex leaving Canada House in London, on Jan. 7, 2020, left, and cover art for her upcoming children's book "The Bench," with pictures by Christian Robinson. The book will publish on June 8. (AP Photo, left, and Random House Children’s Books via AP)
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The National
May 05, 2021
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Britain's Duchess of Sussex will publish a children's book next month titled The Bench.

It is about the relationship between a father and son based on her husband Prince Harry and the couple's child Archie, the publisher said.

The book is the latest venture by Meghan Markle and Harry, Queen Elizabeth's grandson, since they stepped down from royal duties and moved to Los Angeles in the US last year with Archie, who celebrates his second birthday later this week.

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Co-Chair Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, speaks onstage during the taping of the "Vax Live" fundraising concert at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on May 2, 2021. The fundraising concert "Vax Live: The Concert To Reunite The World", put on by international advocacy organization Global Citizen, is pushing businesses to "donate dollars for doses," and for G7 governments to share excess vaccines. The concert will be pre-taped on May 2 in Los Angeles, and will stream on YouTube along with American television networks ABC and CBS on May 8. / AFP / VALERIE MACON
Prince Harry leads 'Vax Live' concert in LA

Illustrated by artist Christian Robinson, The Bench will be published on June 8, with Meghan narrating an audiobook version, publisher Random House Children's Books said.

"The Bench started as a poem I wrote for my husband on Father's Day, the month after Archie was born. That poem became this story," the duchess said.

"My hope is that The Bench resonates with every family, no matter the make up, as much as it does with mine."

In this photo provided by Random House on Tuesday, May, 4, 2021, of an interior spread from The Bench, the debut children's book written by Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, with illustrations by artist Christian Robinson. Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, is releasing her first children's book next month. Random House Children’s Books announced Tuesday, May 4, 2021 that “The Bench,” a story about the moments a diverse group of fathers and sons share, will be out on June 8. Meghan will also narrate an audiobook edition. (Penguin Random House via AP)

An interior spread from The Bench, the debut children's book written by the Duchess of Sussex, with illustrations by artist Christian Robinson. AP

Meghan, who is pregnant with the couple's second child, is not the first royal to venture into the world of children's literature.

Prince Charles, Harry's father and heir to the British throne, wrote The Old Man of Lochnagar, based on stories he used to tell his young brothers.

Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, has also penned a number of children's stories.

Meghan and Harry have rarely been out of the media spotlight since they gave an explosive interview to US chat show host Oprah Winfrey in February, accusing one unnamed royal of making a racist remark and saying Meghan's pleas for help when she felt suicidal were ignored.

Harry returned to Britain for the first time since that interview for the funeral of his grandfather Prince Philip last month.

More on UK's royals

[ Oprah Winfrey reveals surprise Prince Harry and Meghan 'went there' in bombshell interview ]

[ Queen Elizabeth returns to public duties after Prince Philip's funeral ]

[ Prince William and Kate celebrate a decade of marriage ]

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