THE price of Meghan Markle’s new children’s book has already been slashed at Amazon and Waterstones ahead of its release date.
The Duchess of Sussex penned The Bench after originally writing a poem for Harry’s first Father’s Day from Archie, who will turn two next month.
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It is only due for publication on June 8 – although stores across the UK have already listed it for pre-order online.
The children’s read, published by Penguin Random House, comes with a recommended retail price of £12.99.
But Amazon, Waterstones and Foyles have already slashed the price down to £9.99 – each boasting a 23 per cent saving of £3.
Eager readers can also pre-order the book for a reduced price of £10.99 at WH.Smith, or £11.43 at Blackwell’s.
It is not known if Meghan has received any advance payment for the book or whether any of the profits will be donated to charity.
But popular culture expert Nick Ede told FEMAIL the Duchess would have likely been paid between a £250,000 to £500,000 advance to write it.
And Royal author Angela Levin told HOAR Online today: “The book is being sold for £12.99. That’s not extortionate but I’m not quite sure who will read it.
“We don’t know yet whether Meghan got an advance but there are rumours that she was offered a £500,000 advance.
“We don’t know, even if she has been offered this massive advance, whether she will give any money away to charity or whether she will keep it for herself.”
The Bench is a children’s book about the bond between a father and son inspired by Prince Harry and son Archie.
An audiobook, narrated by Meghan herself, will follow – although there is no preview of this yet.
A picture of the book was released yesterday, featuring a watercolour cover by award-winning artist Christian Robinson of a bench under a tree and surrounded by birds.
Meghan’s pen name on the cover is given as: “Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex” – something Angela Levin blasted as laughable.
Publisher Penguin Random House said the £12.99 hardback “touchingly captures the evolving and expanding relationship between fathers and sons”.
And Meghan said of her latest venture: “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.”
HOAR Online has approached Penguin Random House and a selection of bookshops for comment – Amazon declined to give one.
