The Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle, is officially a children’s book author now. She is debuting her new role with the release of her book titled The Bench.
Slated to release on June 8, the book has been published by Random House Children’s Books and focuses on the special bond between a father and son, as viewed through a mother’s eyes.
How Meghan Was Inspired By Prince Harry And Their Son Archie
Image source: Instagram / misanharriman
The story of The Bench is inspired by Meghan’s own experience with her husband Prince Harry and their son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor. It includes the poem she wrote for him for his first Father’s Day.
According to a press release shared on the Archewell website, the book will capture “the evolving and expanding relationship between fathers and sons.” The statement also says that the book “reminds us of the many ways that love can take shape and be expressed in a modern family.”
Meghan Markle Hopes Her Book Will “Resonate With Families”
Image source: Penguin Random House website
Meghan’s first children’s book is for kids aged between 3 and 7 years and is illustrated by Caldecott-winning artist Christian Robinson. In her official statement about the book, Markle spoke highly of the illustrator.
She said, “Christian layered in beautiful and ethereal watercolor illustrations that capture the warmth, joy, and comfort of the relationship between fathers and sons from all walks of life.”
“My hope is that The Bench resonates with every family, no matter the makeup, as much as it does with mine,” she added.
The book will be released by Penguin Random House imprints Random House Children’s Books in the United States and Tundra in Canada. It will also be published by Puffin in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, India and South Africa.
The Duchess herself will also be narrating the audiobook edition of the book.
Talking about the exciting news, the publisher of the Random House Books for Young Readers Group, Mallory Loehr, said, “Christian’s art beautifully matches the tender emotion of Meghan’s words, and every spread is infused with a vibrant sense of joy and love. The Bench is timeless — it feels destined to become one of those books that people will be reading for generations to come.”
The Bench by Meghan Markle is now available for pre-order on the Penguin Random House website where they have also shared an excerpt of the book:
This is your bench
Where you’ll witness great joy.
From here you will rest
See the growth of our boy.
The announcement of the book also comes at an opportune time for the famous royal couple. It coincided with Archie’s second birthday.
Meghan And Harry Set To Help Families Through Their Initiative
Image source: Archewell
On Thursday (6 May), the royal couple announced–on their nonprofit website Archewell–that they will be holding a charitable initiative in honour of their son Archie’s second birthday.
They encouraged the public to make donations to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. This is to help provide COVID-19 vaccine equity to underprivileged countries.
Prince Harry and Meghan made the announcement with a simple picture of now two-year-old Archie holding on to a bouquet of balloons.
“We have been deeply touched over the past two years to feel the warmth and support for our family in honor of Archie’s birthday. Many of you donate to charities on his behalf, and mark the occasion by giving back or doing an act of service—all through the goodness of your hearts,” the couple wrote along with the beautiful picture.
Lead image source from Penguin Random House website and Instagram / sussexroyal.
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