Meghan Markle, who once declared herself a “beacon of enlightenment,” seemed confident that her debut book would sell like hotcakes.
However, the reality was more akin to stale muffins left out in the rain. Sales figures are now in, and they're not exactly impressive. Her much-anticipated children’s book, The Bench, has managed to sell only around 8,000 copies—a number that even some indie bands surpass with their debut albums. Given her public platform, her high profile, and a unique storyline that blends celebrity and royalty, many expected Meghan’s book to be a hit. Yet somehow, the promising narrative has fizzled, leaving many wondering what went wrong.
With The Bench being described as about as captivating as an assembly manual for Ikea furniture, it's clear that her literary debut hasn't resonated with readers. Her attempts to craft a heartfelt story have been met with lukewarm reception, which may prompt her to reconsider her direction in the literary world. Surprisingly, though, The Bench was initially expected to be just the beginning of her writing career. Reports from a source close to her publisher, Penguin Random House, suggested that she had a multi-book deal with plans to release three books. But much like some of her other high-profile projects, it seems these plans have been quietly shelved, potentially due to lackluster interest and waning enthusiasm from both the public and the publisher.
Meanwhile, other authors, who spend years crafting their stories and refining their writing, may look at Meghan’s approach as less than traditional. While some celebrities rely on ghostwriters, Meghan aimed to do things differently, but the results haven’t set her apart in a positive light. It’s as if she carved out a new genre for herself—the “hefty advance, minimal follow-through” model. Ironically, her husband, Prince Harry, is also dabbling in publishing. With a four-book deal, he too has only published one book so far, leaving the public to wonder if the rest will ever see the light of day. There’s even speculation that Harry thought releasing a paperback version of his memoir might fulfill part of his contract, a humorous twist that only adds to the public’s amusement.
Despite the pair’s gilded opportunities, they have yet to make a meaningful impact in the literary world. Celebrity memoirs frequently outperform literary works on the bestseller lists, often driven by star power and fan loyalty. Yet here, Meghan’s and Harry’s ambitions appear to be backfiring, as their projects gain more attention for their underperformance than for their content. Watching this unravel, the literary world is left questioning: can Meghan and Harry find their footing in publishing, or will their ventures continue to falter under the weight of public disinterest?
Perhaps Penguin Random House, which likely had high hopes, may end up relieved to move on to more promising authors. In the end, Meghan’s journey in the literary realm might serve as a cautionary tale, proving that sometimes, even a duchess title doesn’t guarantee a bestseller.
