Meghan Markle it still surprises us. From actress to duchess, from rebel of the royal family to author of children’s books. It is not the first royal to do so. Think, for example, of Sarah Ferguson, or Prince Philip. On June 8, reveals the Daily Mail, the Random House publishing house will publish the volume in the “Children’s Book” series The Bench (The bench). The book will be released simultaneously in England and in the United States and will tell the relationship between fathers and children seen from the perspective of the mother.
The father-children relationship that Meghan cares a lot about
In a note accompanying the publication, reported by the Daily Mail, Meghan Markle talks about her project: “It all started with a poem I wrote for my husband Harry on Father’s Day, the month after our Archie was born”. Small clarification: in England and in the USA the Father’s Day it is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. The price of the book is 12.99 pounds, but with a surcharge of 3.99 pounds those who want it will also have the audiobook to hear the story told by Meghan Markle.
The Duchess of Sussex he also specified that Christian Robinson, a famous 34-year-old Californian cartoonist, specializing in children’s books, “Created the beautiful illustrations” of “The Bench”. Speaking of the drawings, the Duchess said: “Watercolors that capture the warmth, joy and well-being of the relationship between fathers and children, from all walks of life. This representation was particularly important to me. Christian and I worked hard to reproduce that bond through an inclusive lens “.
The theme of “The Bench” is something that touches Meghan closely, given her troubled relationship with her father Thomas Markle. Not to do cheap psychology, but it would not be so strange if Prince Harry’s wife had tried, through this literary experience, to reflect, to put some order in the complex reality that binds her to her father, perhaps trying to leave the past behind. Only Meghan knows this.
A poisoned dig for the royal family?
To inspire the project, however, was the Duke of Sussex. Among other things, in the preview of the book there is also the stylized figure of a soldier who is too reminiscent of Archie’s father. The soldier picks up a child (who should be the eldest son of the dukes), while the mother watches the scene from the window, crying. Perhaps this image can be interpreted as a tribute to Harry’s military career, particularly his missions in Afghanistan. In the accompanying caption we read: “This is your bench, where life begins for you and our son, our baby, our relatives”.
The juxtaposition between Prince Harry, a soldier to whom the Megxit he took away the military posts, with the figure in the book. It is as if Meghan wanted to emphasize (but we have no certainty) that, despite the waivers imposed by his resignation as a senior member of the royal family, the duke will always remain a loyal and courageous soldier, even if no longer in uniform. A direct dig at the Windsors?
Still dukes of Sussex
Just to stay on the subject it is necessary to mention the press release with which the Random House presented the book: “The Duchess of Sussex’s debut in the publishing world touchingly captures the evolving and expanding relationship between fathers and sons and reminds us of the many ways love can take shape and be expressed in a modern family. Evoking a deep sense of warmth, connection and compassion, The Bench offers readers a window into shared and lasting moments between a diverse group of fathers and sons: moments of peace and reflection, trust and faith, discovery, learning and lasting affection “. It does not end here. Meghan is presented as “Mother, wife, feminist and activist”.
Did you notice anything in this message? Meghan Markle did not give up the title. He accused the royal family of racism, of indifference, he left London and the court, yet “Duchess of Sussex” remains her place, defining the identity of Meghan. It may seem a little contradictory, at times even hypocritical. Even the principe Harry, at the event on May 3, “Vax Live: The Concert To Reunite The World”, organized by Global Citizen, was presented as the Duke of Sussex.
The title, as well as dedicating themselves to writing harmless children’s works (although The Bench seems to be traversed by a strong current of politically correct), could be Harry and Meghan’s way of hoping to regain lost popularity with the interview with Oprah Winfrey and, at the same time, to monetize their new Californian life. There is little doubt that they will achieve the second goal. On the first, the debate is open.