Meghan Markle Celebrates 'The Bench' Becoming a Best Seller with a Personal Note

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Meghan has a special message for those who helped her first children's book, The Bench, become a New York Times best seller.

The Duchess of Sussex released The Bench on June 8, just four days after she and Prince Harry welcomed their second child, Lilibet "Lili" Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, into the world. Meghan said in a statement ahead of the book's release that the story was inspired by the close relationship between her husband and her firstborn, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

"While this poem began as a love letter to my husband and son, I'm encouraged to see that its universal themes of love, representation and inclusivity are resonating with communities everywhere," Meghan wrote on the Archewell website, her and Harry's nonprofit. "In many ways, pursuing a more compassionate and equitable world begins with these core values. Equally, to depict another side of masculinity—one grounded in connection, emotion, and softness—is to model a world that so many would like to see for their sons and daughters alike. Thank you for supporting me in this special project."

The Bench, published by Random House Children's Books, is illustrated by award-winning artist Christian Robinson and narrated by Meghan herself in the book's audio edition. According to Meghan, Robinson helped bring to life the story that originally started as a Father's Day poem written for her husband.

"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," Meghan said previously in a statement. "My hope is that The Bench resonates with every family, no matter the makeup, as much as it does with mine."

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