A British author has dismissed speculation that Meghan Markle ‘ripped off’ her work, insisting that there are ‘no similarities’ between her book and the duchess’s.

Within hours of Meghan announcing details of her first children’s book yesterday, some began to allege it was ‘identical’ to a 2018 book by Corrinne Averiss called ‘The Boy On the Bench’.

Meghan’s book, called ‘The Bench’, is about father-son relationships and was inspired by a poem she wrote for Prince Harry at the time of the birth of their son Archie.

Ms Averiss’ book is also about the special bond between a dad and his son but she said the two works are in no way the same.

In a statement the author said: ‘Reading the description and published excerpt of the Duchess’s new book, this is not the same story or the same theme as The Boy on the Bench. I don’t see any similarities apart from the use of a bench – which exist in as many stories as they do parks and gardens.’ 

Ms Averiss, from Manchester, is the author of several children’s books and also worked as a producer on children’s TV.

Her work explores themes of identity and belonging and her book tells the story of a boy who doesn’t feel he can join in with the other children in the playground.

Meghan’s book has been illustrated by award-winning artist Christian Robinson and will be published on June 8 by Puffin, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

Some illustrations from the book have been released in advance. One shows a picture of a soldier throwing his son into the air with the words: ‘Looking out at my love and our beautiful boy. And here in the window I’ll have tears of great joy…’

In another painting, a father and son lie asleep on a bench with the young boy lying on his parent’s chest. The text says: ‘From here you will rest see the growth of our boy.’

Meghan said: ‘My hope is that The Bench resonates with every family, no matter the make-up, as much as it does with mine.’

Friends of Meghan told Vanity Fair that she hopes the book will be the first of many and she plans to write books for adults as well in future.

The book has prompted much discussion since it was first announced, with Piers Morgan accusing the duchess of ‘gargantuan hypocrisy.’

His former colleague on Good Morning Britain, Susanna Reid, defended the book, agreeing with her co-host Adil Ray who said it was a ‘great story.’

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