Meghan Markle should ‘stick to what she’s good at’ jokes Stephen Mangan as he releases a rival children’s book

STEPHEN Mangan joked Meghan Markle should “stick to what she’s good at” as he releases a rival children’s book.

The Duchess of Sussex unveiled her new children’s book The Bench on Tuesday, inspired by Prince Harry and son Archie’s relationship.

This means her book will go head-to-head with actor Stephen Mangan, who is releasing Escape The Rooms in June.

Susanna Reid asked on Good Morning on Thursday: “It seems like children’s books are all the rage at the moment. You’re in competition with the Duchess of Sussex.

Stephen replied: “Yeah, it’s the sort of competition I don’t need. I think the royals should stick to what they’re good at and leave writing children’s books to people who are hiding from their children like me.”

Stephen – who shares Harry, 13, Frank, 10, and Jack, five, with wife Louise Delamere – will release his book in June.

It follows a boy called Jack who has to escape weird and wonderful rooms in a fairground.

Meghan’s book is inspired by the bond between Prince Harry and their son Archie.

The Duchess of Sussex penned The Bench after originally writing a poem for Harry’s first Father’s Day from Archie, who turned two today.

A picture of the book has been posted online today ahead of its publication on June 8.

It shows a watercolour picture by award-winning artist Christian Robinson of a bench under a tree surrounded by birds.

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.