Meghan Markle and Harry ‘trying to claw back popularity’ says Levin

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Meghan Markle released her debut book this week, a children’s book about the special bond between father and son, as seen through a mother’s eyes. The heavily illustrated book is inspired by her husband Prince Harry, and their son, Archie. It officially launched on June 8 and it has since emerged the Duchess is likely to have already secured £500,000 for the venture.

It is not officially known whether Meghan received an advance for the book from the publishers, Penguin Random House LLC.

But a branding expert has suggested the Duchess could have already received as much as £500,000, following a “bidding war to secure her first venture”.

Popular culture expert Nick Ede told FEMAIL Meghan is likely to have been paid between a £250,000 to £500,000 advance to write the book.

He said Meghan has a remarkable selling effect, as people across the globe seek to emulate her.

Mr Ede commented on how after her tell-all chat with Oprah Winfrey, the Christopher Knight patio chairs she sat on beside her husband quickly sold out.

He said: “She has this power as so many people want to emulate her style and this doesn’t just stop at fashion, this is lifestyle, like a new era Martha Stewart.

“Meghan has the power to sell products which is every brand’s dream.

“The fact that she can shift sales of garden benches shows that her brand equity is huge, and has the power to shift everyday objects – even coffee.”

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Meghan and Harry have announced that 2,000 copies of the book, which retails at £12.99, will be sent to libraries and schools across the US for “no cost”.

In a statement posted on their website, Archewell, the couple said they hope the move will help nourish “learning and connection” in children.

They said: “The Duchess and Archewell have received the support of the publisher of The Bench to distribute 2,000 copies at no cost to libraries, community centres, schools, and nonprofit programs across the country.

“Those receiving free copies include vital organizations like Assistance League® of Los Angeles, which has served the local community for more than 100 years and which The Duke and Duchess visited twice last year to spend time with the children at the organization’s Preschool Learning Center.”

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The news of the book’s launch was announced last month, where Meghan said she hoped it would resonate with families.

She 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.”

She added: “My hope is that The Bench resonates with every family, no matter the make-up, as much as it does with mine.”

The short book is accompanied by images from award-winning illustrator Christian Robinson.

In a recent interview with Archewell, the artist said he was “honoured to be a part” of the book.

He said he would have been drawn to the project “no matter who the author” was.

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