In surprising news on this Tuesday, May 4, Meghan Markle has announced that she will be joining the ranks of children’s books authors with her own addition. The book is slated to be published on June 8 and will be called “The Bench”.

Since stepping down as senior royals, this is only one of many projects Prince Harry and Meghan have been tackling. In September 2020, it became known that they had entered a general overall deal with Netflix. The deal will be in place for several years and will see the former royals develop scripted as well as unscripted TV series, documentaries, and movies, including programs geared specifically towards children, for the streaming platform. Even back last year, their work had a slant towards providing programs for children. The Hollywood Reporter quoted the couple as stating: “Through our work with diverse communities and their environments, to shining a light on people and causes around the world, our focus will be on creating content that informs but also gives hope. As new parents, making inspirational family programming is also important to us, as is powerful storytelling through a truthful and relatable lens.”

Following this announcement, December 2020 saw Meghan and Harry sign on with Spotify as well. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex founded their own audio-based production company, called Archewell Audio, which has since started delivering exclusive content to the audio-focused streaming platform Spotify. This deal covers several years of content and includes programs that the couple themselves host and those they produce as directors.

According to the Huffington Post, Meghan stated that the book found its origin in a poem she wrote for Father’s Day the month after her son Archie was born. It was originally intended as a gift for her husband, Prince Harry. Out of this poem grew a children’s book focusing on the relationship of sons and their fathers, as seen through the eyes of the children’s mother.

The Daily Mail quotes the joint press release of Meghan and the publishing house as stating:

“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. Christian layered in beautiful and ethereal watercolour illustrations that capture the warmth, joy, and comfort of the relationship between fathers and sons from all walks of life; this representation was particularly important to me, and Christian and I worked closely to depict this special bond through an inclusive lens.

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

A cover for the book and a sampling of a few pages have been published as well. The pictures show a mother watching as her son reunites with his father coming home from deployment in one scene and a father and son resting on top of a bench together in the other. Accompanying these pictures are the words “And here from our window I’ll have tears of great joy… Looking out at My Love and our beautiful boy.” Readers have assumed this to be part of the poem Meghan wrote for Harry.

The illustrations for the book will be provided by Christian Robinson, an accomplished US illustrator and animator. He has previously worked with The Sesame Street workshop and Pixar Animation Studios, so the book is assured of featuring gorgeous pieces of art. His previous works have won several awards in the past.

The publisher’s press release further described the book with the following words, according to the Daily Mail:

“Inspired by her own husband and son, The Duchess of Sussex’s debut touchingly captures the evolving and expanding relationship between fathers and sons and reminds us of the many ways that love can take shape and be expressed in a modern family.

Evoking a deep sense of warmth, connection, and compassion, The Bench gives readers a window into shared and enduring moments between a diverse group of fathers and sons—moments of peace and reflection, trust and belief, discovery and learning, and lasting comfort.”

According to the release, the story will be published under the pen name “Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex” and under the publisher Penguin Random House. Meghan will not be the only member of the royal family who has become an author by far. Other examples include Prince Charles and the Queen’s first cousin Princess Michael of Kent, to name a few.

Interestingly enough, Meghan will also not be the first royal who has published a children’s book. Prince Charles published “The Old Man of Lochnagar” back in 1980, with proceedings from its sale going towards The Prince’s Trust charity. The story was later turned into an animated short film by the BBC, with Prince Charles himself providing the narration.

What do you think about Meghan Markle’s newest project? Are you going to take a look at or buy the book when it comes out? Tell us what you think and pass this along to your friends and family.