Meghan Markle’s public reading of her children’s book, The Bench, during her recent visit to New York did not result in a surge in sales, as expected by a royal commentator.
Despite the global publicity surrounding the event, several retailers have actually reduced the price of the book.
Alongside Prince Harry, Meghan spent three days in the city, engaging in various official activities.
Royal commentator Neil Sean expressed his observations, noting that there was significant hype surrounding Meghan Markle‘s debut book a few months ago.
However, opinions in the UK suggest that the book is overpriced for its content.
Penguin Random House, the publishers of Harry’s upcoming book, had hoped for a sales boost, but it seems that the anticipated spike has not materialized.
During their visit to a primary school in Harlem, where a majority of students come from disadvantaged backgrounds, Meghan Markle took the stage to promote children’s literacy by reading excerpts from The Bench.
Prince Harry, seated among second-grade pupils, attentively listened as his wife shared the story.
Despite the extensive media coverage and social media exposure, sales of the book have not seen a significant increase, even with discounted prices on various platforms.
Meghan Markle released The Bench on June 8th, following the birth of their daughter, Lilibet Diana.
The book narrates a father-son relationship from a mother’s perspective, inspired by a poem Meghan wrote for Prince Harry on his first Father’s Day.
Illustrator Christian Robinson contributed watercolor illustrations that aim to depict the bond between fathers and sons from diverse backgrounds.
Although receiving mixed reviews, with praise for its message and artwork, The New York Times described the book as neither terrible nor exceptional.
The Bench marks the couple’s initial venture into the literary world, with Prince Harry currently penning his memoir scheduled for late 2022.
Promising an honest account of his life, the memoir will cover his upbringing, experiences within the royal family, and his roles as a husband and father.
Following their New York trip, Meghan and Harry have returned to California, concluding their first joint public appearance since stepping back from royal duties in 2020.
Reflecting on their discussions during the visit, Meghan and Harry emphasized the importance of vaccine equity, highlighting their commitment to supporting global efforts in combating the pandemic.
Their engagements in New York included meetings with Mayor Bill de Blasio, participation in a roundtable discussion with the World Health Organization, and delivering a speech at the Global Citizen Live concert.
The couple expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn from experts dedicated to ending the pandemic, reinforcing their dedication to promoting fair access to vaccines.
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