MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry have given a fresh glimpse into their “authentic” life with Archie in the Duchess’ new children’s book.
Inside Meghan’s book The Bench, illustrations show wholesome Harry and little Archie feeding their chickens while the Duchess is in the garden with her dogs.
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Another drawing shows a father and his son in pink ballet tutus practising their stretches inside the £12.99 children’s book.
This comes after the Sussexes welcomed Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor into the world on Friday – as they announced the birth of their daughter in a post on their website, Archewell.
Little Lili also seems to make an appearance in the illustration – as she is cradled in Meghan’s arms while in a vegetable patch.
With his recognisable ginger hair and beard, Harry appears alongside two-year-old Archie who sprinkles food for the animals while looking lovingly at his dad.
Back in March during their Oprah chat, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed they have a chicken coop at their Montecito mansion, located near Santa Barbara, California.
The couple shared unseen footage of Archie playing on the beach and said it was about “getting back to the basics.”
They said they have homed a number of rescue chickens, and the coop boasts a cute sign reading ‘Archie’s Chick Inn’.
Meghan explained that being “able to live authentically” was vital to her and Harry.
“This kind of stuff is so basic, but it’s really fulfilling and about getting back to basics,” she said.
The couple were seen showing Oprah around the coop, with the chickens saved from a nearby factory farm.
The Bench was expected to be released to the public on June 8 – but is already at risk of flopping after Waterstones pulled its publisher’s books from displays in a row over supply.
Her publisher Penguin Random House is in a spat with Waterstones, the Telegraph reported.
Penguin Random House has reportedly limited the credit they give to Waterstones – meaning the bookseller can only buy a certain amount from the publisher.
In response, Waterstones has yanked Penguin Random House books from its displays at 283 stores across the UK.
The Duchess of Sussex penned The Bench after originally writing a poem for Harry’s first Father’s Day from Archie.
A picture of the book shows a watercolour by award-winning artist Christian Robinson of a bench under a tree surrounded by birds.
‘AUTHENTIC’ LIVING
The mum-to-be’s pen name is given as: “Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex”.
She will also narrate an audiobook of the tale.
Meghan 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 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 make up, as much as it does with me.”
Further photos from inside the book shows a boy being lifted into the air by a red-headed dad in military uniform as a woman weeps from the window.
The words accompanying the picture say: “Looking out at My Love and our beautiful boy.
“And here in the window I’ll have tears of joy”.
