Meghan Markle Accused Of Plagiarizing 2018 Book 'The Boy On The Bench' But Author Defends Duchess

Meghan Markle was accused of plagiarism after announcing her book, entitled "The Bench," because many found it too similar to another children's book.

The announcement about the Duchess of Sussex's new book received mixed responses from Twitter users. Several were excited but many were not impressed because Markle wrote a book about a father and child's relationship while she is not on speaking terms with her dad, Thomas Markle Sr.

Many also accused her of plagiarism after one netizen pointed out its similarities to Corrinne Averiss' book "The Boy on the Bench."

"Before you run out and waste money on the book by Harry's wife, read The Boy on the Bench by Corrinne Averiss and Gabriel Alborozo The original," one netizen tweeted.

"Harry's first wife has not one original bone in her body! 'Did Meghan Markle COPY children's author with The Bench?' https://mol.im/a/9544547 #Plagiarism," another added while sharing side-by-side photos of the two book covers.

"Plagiarism Princess," another wrote with facepalm emoji.

Meanwhile, many defended Markle because Averiss herself denied the similarities between the duchess' book and her work. The author read the book description and published excerpt of Markle's book and concluded that their works were not the same.

"Reading the description and published excerpt of the Duchess’s new book, this is not the same story or the same theme as The Boy on the Bench. I don’t see any similarities," Averiss wrote.

Following Averiss' statements, several netizens aired their support to the Duchess of Sussex. They defended her from the critics who accused her of plagiarism.

"So fast to spread false information. The original author is defending Meghan. I cannot wait to buy her book," another netizen wrote defending Markle.

"The original author has reviewed the book and says it's nothing like hers. It must be sad to hate someone you've never met, who has never done a thing to you, so much that you go out of your way to spread lies about her. Get a life of your own. It might help," another added.

"You freaking troll. The author just dismissed that tabloid intent to smear Meghan. There is no similarity. I hope Meghan sues you though. For extreme idiocy!" a third user commented in another post trolling Markle for the alleged plagiarism.

Markle's book "The Bench" will be released on June 8.