Meghan Markle pays tribute to Prince Charles in new video amid ‘rift' rumors

Meghan Markle has paid tribute to Prince Charles with a heartfelt moment in her first children’s book, The Bench, which she’s now brought to life in a brand new video. 

• The Duchess of Sussex released her children’s book, The Bench, just days after she and Prince Harry announced the birth of their daughter Lilibet. 
• Meghan seems to have included a special nod to her husband’s childhood with Prince Charles and she’s now narrated the wonderful tale.  
• This royal news comes as how the Queen's quirky teenage outfit caught a young Prince Philip's eye was revealed.  

Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex has made a special appearance on the Brightly Storytime YouTube channel to narrate a brand new video of her children’s book, The Bench. The Duchess’ first children’s book was released in June, days after her daughter Lilibet was born and was expanded from an original poem she wrote to Prince Harry about him and their son Archie. 

The Bench focuses on the incredible bond between fathers and sons from the perspective of a loving mother and includes a sweet book dedication.

Within a week of hitting the shelves, The Bench rose up the New York Times list and Meghan broke her silence during her maternity leave with Lilibet to give thanks for its bestseller status.  Now her wonderful narration of The Bench for Brightly Storyline has brought the story to life in a totally new way and there’s one image in particular that could be especially meaningful.

As her soothing tones play over the book’s watercolor pictures, on one page Meghan declares, “He’ll learn to ride a bike as you watch him with pride”. The accompanying illustration shows a proud father waving from a bench as his son cycles delightedly. 

This particular moment is something that Prince Harry will perhaps be able to connect to, having gone on bike rides with his father Prince Charles as a child. In pictures captured back in 1990 at Sandringham, a 6-year-old Prince Harry was seen riding on the back of his father’s bike, whilst the older Prince William accompanied them confidently on his own. 

This wonderful childhood memory likely took on a whole new significance when Harry and Meghan welcomed Archie.

Opening up to Oprah Winfrey in his and Meghan's shocking interview earlier this year, the Duke revealed that after they “stepped back” as senior royals and settled in their Santa Barbara home, he’s been able to take Archie out on his bike too.

"This year has been crazy for everybody. But to have outdoor space where I can go for walks with Archie and go for walks as a family and with the dogs," he said.

"All of these things are just—I guess the highlight for me is sticking him on the back of a bicycle in his little baby seat and taking him on bike rides”, Prince Harry explained, before going on to add that “I can seat him on the back and he's got his arms out and he's like 'whoa.'"

It was during this interview that he went on to describe his father and brother as “trapped” in the institution, claiming that Prince Charles “stopped answering” his calls after their royal exit. As a result, rumors of a rift between the Sussexes and Prince Charles and Prince William, in particular, have continued to circulate.

Though Meghan’s decision to include such a special moment that can be traced back to Prince Harry’s own childhood as well as his experience with Archie in The Bench could be a lovely way of reflecting Prince Charles’ importance in their lives.