The Duchess of Sussex has authored her first children’s book
The Duchess of Sussex
Phil Noble – Pool / Getty Images
Since leaving the Royal Family, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have demonstrated their willingness to jump into a wide range of different fields. From the three strands of their Archewell organisation (encompassing a charitable foundation; their Netflix production partnership; and an audio venture with Spotify), to when Meghan narrated a Disney+ documentary, and two recent new jobs for Prince Harry (with BetterUp and the Aspen Institute) – the pair are nothing if not prolific. Now it’s been announced that the Duchess has authored her first children’s book, due for release next month.
The Bench by the Duchess of Sussex
Penguin Random House
According to a press release, The Bench is about ‘the special bond between father and son – as seen through a mother’s eyes.’ The story was inspired by Meghan’s own experience with her family, raising Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, who turns two on 6 May, with her husband. Explaining the genesis of the work, Meghan stated: ‘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.’
On a roll: Prince Harry confirms second new job within days of previous appointment
The press release states that Meghan’s authorial 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.’ It’s added that The Bench fosters ‘a deep sense of warmth, connection, and compassion’, offering 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.’
An inner spread of the book
Penguin Random House
Harry and Meghan to join A-listers at ‘Vax Live’ fundraising concert
It has been illustrated by American illustrator and animator Christian Robinson, who received a prestigious Caldecott Honour for his work on Matt de la Peña’s acclaimed children’s book, Last Stop on Market Street. Exploring new territory as an illustrator, The Bench sees Robinson working in watercolour for the first time. The Duchess noted of the collaboration: ‘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.’
An inner spread of the book
Penguin Random House
Published by Random House Children’s Books (RHCB) in the US, and Puffin (an imprint of Penguin Random House Children’s UK) in this country, the book is set to hit shelves on 8 June. Meghan will also narrate a special audiobook edition, released in the US and Canada by Listening Library, and by Penguin Random House UK Audio for audiences this side of the Atlantic. Given her previous career as an actress – and her reading of the children’s book Duck! Rabbit!, shared on Archie’s first birthday last year – listeners can no doubt expect a fun, evocative and engaging performance.
Impasse gives way as Prince Harry talks to Charles and William after funeral
Subscribe now to get 3 issues of Tatler for just £1, plus free home delivery and free instant access to the digital editions
More from Tatler
Published at Tue, 04 May 2021 15:30:51 +0000
Article source: https://www.tatler.com/article/duchess-of-sussex-first-childrens-book-author-the-bench