Meghan Markle Thanks Fans After Children's Book 'The Bench' Tops New York Times Bestseller List

Meghan Markle let her supporters know how thankful she was after her children's book became a bestseller.

The Duchess of Sussex took to Archewell's website to send her supporters a message after buying "The Bench." Markle's children's book became no. 1 on the New York Times Bestseller list just a week after it was released.

Markle's "The Bench" started as a Father's Day poem for her husband, Prince Harry. It expanded into a children's book with imagery that captures the moments of love and shared experiences between the Duke of Sussex and their son, Archie. The watercolor illustrations in the book were made by Christian Robinson.

"While this poem began as a love letter to my husband and son, I’m encouraged to see that its universal themes of love, representation and inclusivity are resonating with communities everywhere," Markle wrote.

"In many ways, pursuing a more compassionate and equitable world begins with these core values. Equally, to depict another side of masculinity — one grounded in connection, emotion, and softness — is to model a world that so many would like to see for their sons and daughters alike. Thank you for supporting me in this special project."

Markle's "The Bench" was released on June 8 in partnership with Random House Children’s Books in the U.S., Tundra Books in Canada and Puffin in the U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, India and South Africa.

The Duchess of Sussex's book received mixed responses from the netizens. Some criticized it and called Markle a hypocrite for writing a book about a father and a child when she couldn't build a relationship with her own father, Thomas Markle Sr. Meanwhile, many also expressed excitement because they wanted to hear more from Markle.

A number also accused her of plagiarism because the book was allegedly too similar to Corrinne Averiss' book "The Boy on the Bench." However, Averiss herself defended the duchess by saying Markle's book is different from hers.

"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 tweeted.