The Duchess of Sussex has written a children’s book about the “special bond” between father and son which evolved from a poem she wrote for Prince Harry on Father’s Day.
The story, called The Bench, is Meghan’s first foray into children’s literature.
It was inspired by the relationship between her husband, the Duke of Sussex, and their son, Archie, who turns two on Thursday.
Illustrated by San Francisco-based artist Christian Robinson, the 40-page book, aimed at children aged three to seven, will be published on June 8.
The Duchess, 39, 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. 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; 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.”
The Duchess, who is heavily pregnant with her second child, a daughter, will narrate the audiobook edition herself.
In a press release, publisher Penguin Random House described Meghan as “a mother, wife, feminist, and activist” who “currently resides in her home state of California with her family, two dogs, and a growing flock of rescue chickens.”
It added: “Through the nonprofit work of the Archewell Foundation, she and her husband are committed to activating compassion in communities across the world.”
The publisher said of the book: “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.”
A spokesperson for the Duchess declined to say whether she was contracted to write further books.
Mallory Loehr, executive vice president of Random House Books for Young Readers Group, said: “Meghan’s touching text explores the relationship between fathers and sons and undeniably tugs at the heartstrings that parents and caregivers feel.
“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.”
It comes after the Duke revealed during his televised Oprah Winfrey interview that his relationship with his own father, the Prince of Wales, had disintegrated.
He said Prince Charles, 72, had stopped taking his calls after he “took matters into his own hands” by stepping away from royal duties, adding: “There’s a lot to work through there. I feel really let down because he’s been through something similar.”