This combination photo shows the Duchess of Sussex and cover art for her upcoming children's book 'The Bench', illustrated by Christian Robinson. AP
This combination photo shows the Duchess of Sussex and cover art for her upcoming children's book 'The Bench', illustrated by Christian Robinson. AP
This combination photo shows the Duchess of Sussex and cover art for her upcoming children's book 'The Bench', illustrated by Christian Robinson. AP
This combination photo shows the Duchess of Sussex and cover art for her upcoming children's book 'The Bench', illustrated by Christian Robinson. AP

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


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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.

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."

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

House-hunting

Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove

  1. Edinburgh, Scotland 
  2. Westminster, London 
  3. Camden, London 
  4. Glasgow, Scotland 
  5. Islington, London 
  6. Kensington and Chelsea, London 
  7. Highlands, Scotland 
  8. Argyll and Bute, Scotland 
  9. Fife, Scotland 
  10. Tower Hamlets, London 

 

How has net migration to UK changed?

The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.

It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.

The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.

The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.

Teaching your child to save

Pre-school (three - five years)

You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.

Early childhood (six - eight years)

Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.

Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)

Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.

Young teens (12 - 14 years)

Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.

Teenage (15 - 18 years)

Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.

Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)

Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.

* JP Morgan Private Bank 

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

U19 World Cup in South Africa

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Group B: Australia, England, Nigeria, West Indies

Group C: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe

Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, UAE

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Saturday, January 18, v Canada

Wednesday, January 22, v Afghanistan

Saturday, January 25, v South Africa

UAE squad

Aryan Lakra (captain), Vriitya Aravind, Deshan Chethyia, Mohammed Farazuddin, Jonathan Figy, Osama Hassan, Karthik Meiyappan, Rishabh Mukherjee, Ali Naseer, Wasi Shah, Alishan Sharafu, Sanchit Sharma, Kai Smith, Akasha Tahir, Ansh Tandon

The Bio

Amal likes watching Japanese animation movies and Manga - her favourite is The Ancient Magus Bride

She is the eldest of 11 children, and has four brothers and six sisters.

Her dream is to meet with all of her friends online from around the world who supported her work throughout the years

Her favourite meal is pizza and stuffed vine leaves

She ams to improve her English and learn Japanese, which many animated programmes originate in