Meghan Markle's Personal Gift to Princess Eugenie Surfaces on eBay for $20,000

A copy of Meghan Markle's children's book, "The Bench," featuring a purported handwritten inscription to Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, has appeared on eBay with a price tag of $20,000 (£20,000). The seller, a London-based dealer specializing in signed books, claims the first edition was a personal gift to the couple following the birth of their first child in 2021. The inscription, which has not been independently verified, appears to be signed in Meghan's distinctive calligraphic style and addresses Eugenie by the nickname 'Eug.'

The message reads: "Dear Eug & Jack, Celebrating the special bond between father and son. I wrote this poem at Frogmore - I hope that Eug, you witness the same love there with your guys. All love, Meghan." The seller suggests the book was inscribed while Markle and Prince Harry were residing at Frogmore Cottage.

This unique item is being offered by Drive Easy's Signed Books, a dealer with a decade-long track record on eBay. While new, unsigned copies of "The Bench" are available for approximately $2 (£2), this inscribed edition is listed at $20,000, with options for buyers to spread the cost over 24 months. The seller has not disclosed how the book came into their possession, fueling speculation online about how such a personal royal memento left royal hands.

"The Bench," released in June 2021, reportedly secured a $500,000 advance for Markle but did not achieve significant commercial success, selling a relatively low number of copies in its first week. The book explores the bond between a father and son through a mother's perspective.

The seller, identified as Nicholas Greenwood, describes the book as a "unique, historically significant presentation copy" and an "absolute masterpiece of modern royal history." He posits that the gift was sent to Eugenie and Jack after they moved into Frogmore Cottage in late 2020, noting that the inscription celebrates the "special bond between father and son" shortly after the birth of their son, August, in February 2021.

Meghan Markle and Princess Eugenie have maintained a close friendship since the early days of Markle's relationship with Prince Harry. The two couples have reportedly shared double dates and holidays, underscoring the intrigue surrounding the sale of this deeply personal gift.

There is no certificate of authenticity accompanying the item, but the seller asserts that the handwriting and signature are "undeniably" Meghan's. Social media users have noted similarities to other known examples of Markle's correspondence. A spokesman for Princess Eugenie and a representative for the Duchess of Sussex have been contacted for comment.