DOUBLE DUCH
Meghan Markle accused of copying her kids’ book The Bench from another story – but author defends her
MEGHAN Markle has been accused of stealing her children's book The Bench from a British author's 2018 work.
The Duchess of Sussex penned the book after originally writing a poem for Harry's first Father's Day from their son Archie, who will turn two next month.
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But critics have pointed out it bears similarities with The Boy and The Bench written by Corrinne Averiss - who has dismissed the claims.
Both books feature a colourful cover of a bench under a tree surrounded by birds.
And one illustration by award-winning artist Christian Robinson in Meghan's book shows a dad with his baby boy dozing on a lounger outside.
The text says: "From here you will rest, see the growth of our boy."
But some have claimed the image is similar to one in The Boy and the Bench, which features a birds-eye view of a dad and son on a bench.
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One person tweeted: "'Almost identical to Corrinne Averiss book 'The Boy On the Bench', even the cover."
Another said: "'I hope the author she ripped off is going to sue her, the cheek of this woman! The Boy on the Bench by Corrinne Averiss."
While one a third wrote: "Before you run out and waste money on the book by Harry's first wife, read The Boy on the Bench by Corrinne Averiss and Gabriel Alborozo.
"The original".
But Corrinne has tweeted in response to the claims and said she sees no similarities.
She wrote: "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."
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The announcement of Meghan's £12.99 book came yesterday ahead of its publication on June 8.
The mum-to-be's pen name is given as Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex.
She will also narrate an audiobook of the tale, which is published by Random House Children's Books.
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."
But royal experts have pointed out it comes at a time when Meghan and Harry’s relationships with their own fathers could not be more strained.
Meghan has not spoken to her father Thomas, 76, for three years and even embroiled him in a High Court privacy case.
Meanwhile Harry, 36, accused his father Prince Charles of being trapped in the Royal Family and told Oprah Winfrey in their interview that his family had cut him off financially.
A press release that accompanies the announcement describes it as a story that “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”.
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The publisher also says it is about the "special bond between father and son - as seen through a mother's eyes. Inspired by her own husband and son".
A statement describes Meghan as a "mother, wife, feminist, and activist";, who "currently resides in her home state of California with her family, two dogs, and a growing flock of rescue chickens".
The book's artist Christian is from California, where Meghan, Harry and Archie live, and has worked with Pixar and Sesame Street.
He recently won a Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor for artwork he produced for Last Stop on Market Street.
Meghan previously wrote a lifestyle blog, The Tig, before marrying into the royal family.
She also penned a piece for Time magazine but this is the first time she has tried her hand at a book.
The former actress has experienced voiceover work though - narrating Disney documentary Elephant after stepping down as a senior royal.
Our alternative version of Harry and Meghan fairytale
MEGHAN’s book is all about that special bond children share with their fathers.
Which might come as a surprise to her own dad, Thomas Markle, to whom she hasn’t spoken since she and Harry married in 2018.
And to Prince Charles, whose relationship with his younger son is in tatters after the Duke and Duchess ditched the Royal Family, accused him of cutting them off financially and pitied him for being trapped as heir to the throne.
Here, we reimagine what the book should look like, retelling the couple’s turbulent story so far.
This is a girl, Meghan
Who fell in love with Prince Harry
They vowed to do good
And were excited to marry
Here is the cottage
They spent our money on
They had their first child
And soon they were gone
They travelled on private jets
Fit for a Queen
While telling the rest of us
“Please be more green”
This is Oprah Winfrey
In their neighbour’s back yard
They chatted for hours
And moaned life was hard
This is the bench
Where the Duke and Duchess sit
Still using Royal titles
Even though they have quit
“They took my passport
And stopped me going for lunch!”
Meg told friends in New York
Her adoring bunch
Here is the tree
Where they announced a new tot
They like to be private
Except when they’re not
Meghan writes of the bond
Between a kid and their pop
But not how when you’re famous
They’re the first you should drop
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Her book is the latest project in a long list of work for the couple since they moved to the US.
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