Meghan Markle has released a children’s book inspired by the relationship between Prince Harry and their son.
The Duchess of Sussex’s debut publication ‘The Bench’ also features a number of drawings which appear to depict the couple’s life in America, while Meghan also narrates an audiobook version.
She has dedicated the work to ‘the man and the boy who make my heart go pump-pump’ – in reference to the Duke of Sussex and their child Archie, 2.
The book’s final illustration, by award-winning artist Christian Robinson, features a ginger-haired man helping a young boy feed chickens – while a dark-haired woman stands in a garden cradling a baby. That is thought to be a nod to the couple’s daughter Lilibet ‘Lili’ Diana, who was born on Friday.
The scene appears to be heavily influenced by Harry, 36, and 39-year-old Meghan’s life in Montecito, Southern California.
Alongside the chickens – which made an appearance during the couple’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in March – two dogs can also be seen in the illustration.
The duke and duchess have two dogs – a beagle called Guy and a black Labrador named Pula.
The first illustration features a bearded ginger father, who looks similar to Prince Harry, cradling a smiling baby on a bench under a tree.
The caption reads: ‘This is your bench, where life will begin, for you and our son, our baby, our kin.’
Later in the story a black father lies asleep on a bench holding his son closely. The child clutches a toy giraffe in one hand while holding his father’s hand in the other.
Meghan writes: ‘From here you will rest, see the growth of our boy.’
In another illustration, a father and son duo each wear pink tutus while performing ballet poses, with the text reading: ‘You’ll love him. You’ll listen. You’ll be his supporter.’
Alongside a picture of a father and son playing with toy dinosaurs, another caption adds: ‘When life feels in shambles, you’ll help him find order.’
The duchess also makes an apparent reference to the popular 1964 children’s book The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein.
Alongside an illustration of a father and son eating their lunch on a park bench, the duchess writes: ‘You’ll sit on his bench, as his giving tree.’
Another page is illustrated with the words: ‘He’ll feel happiness, sorrow, one day be heartbroken. You’ll tell him “I love you,” those words always spoken.’
A father using a wheelchair also features in The Bench.
He is drawn fixing his son’s shoes alongside the text: ‘This is your bench, for papa and son.’
It continues on the next page alongside a father and son wearing turbans: ‘To celebrate joys and victories won.’
Prince Charles paid tribute to his father, Prince Philip, as ‘dear papa’ following his death in April.
One illustration from the book is accompanied by the words: ‘Looking out at my love and our beautiful boy. And here in the window I’ll have tears of great joy…’
The picture shows a crying woman looking through a ground floor window as a man in army uniform, throws his son in the air, seemingly after returning home.
A final section of the book reads: ‘Right there on your bench, the place you’ll call home… With daddy and son… Where you’ll never be ‘lone.’
The last five words of the book accompany the drawing apparently showing the couple’s lifestyle in California, where they moved after stepping down as working royals.
The book is the second publication the duchess has been involved with after being the driving force behind Together – a cookbook featuring recipes from Grenfell Tower women.
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