A copy of Meghan Markle's The Bench apparently inscribed for Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank was listed on eBay for £19,999.99, raising questions about how the book came to be offered for sale.
The first edition of Meghan's 2021 children's book was listed by London based bookseller Drive Easy's Signed Books and described as a presentation copy 'inscribed, dated & signed by Meghan to Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank'.
The listing was ended by the seller on Friday, 2 October 2026, the same day it was posted.
The listing showed a handwritten message addressed to 'Eug & Jack', referring to the bond between father and son and mentioning Frogmore, where Eugenie and Jack were living in 2021, following the birth of their son August in February that year.
However, there is no confirmation that the book was actually received by Eugenie and Jack, that they later sold or gave it away, or that Meghan was involved in the eBay listing. Reports has also not independently verified the inscription's authenticity or established how the book came into the seller's possession.
20K The Bench Book For 'Eug & Jack'
The eBay listing described the book as a first edition of The Bench, Meghan's picture book about the bond between fathers and sons, illustrated by Christian Robinson.
The handwritten message, which the seller attributed to Meghan, was dated 2021 and read: '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 reference to Frogmore is notable because Eugenie and Jack were living at Frogmore Cottage in 2021. The couple welcomed their son August in February that year, while The Bench was published on 8 June 2021.
The seller described the item as a presentation copy and said it had been personally inscribed and signed by Meghan. The listing also mentioned slight creasing and marking to some pages, as well as ink showing through to the previous page.
However, these details came from the seller's description. The provenance of the book remains unclear, and the inscription has not been independently authenticated.
Reports said that representatives for Meghan and Eugenie, as well as the eBay seller, were approached for comment.
The listing was ended by the seller on 2 October, with no confirmed indication that the book sold for its £19,999.99 asking price.
Has a gift from Meghan to Eugenie ended up on eBay? Mystery as 'deeply personal' copy of duchess's book The Bench with heartfelt handwritten note to 'Eug and Jack' emerges for sale for £20K- Source-RoyalGoss
by u/Legitimate-Green2667 in UKRoyalNews
Reddit Users Question How Book Reached Market
The unusual listing prompted speculation online, with some users questioning how a book apparently inscribed for Eugenie and Jack could have reached a specialist bookseller.
Some commenters questioned how a presentation copy addressed to Eugenie and Jack could have entered the second-hand market.
One commenter offered a particularly provocative theory, writing: 'Meghaliar is desperate for income, of any kind, since the scam jam and her other homely wares have been a disaster sales wise.'
The user then speculated that Meghan could have had other copies of The Bench, writing: 'She has boxes full of these unsellable Bench books somewhere, no doubt.'
The commenter continued: 'How hard would it be for her to pull one out of a stack, write some mindless drivel purportedly to Eugenie, put it on eBay with a starting price of $10,000 and Bob's your uncle!'
The Reddit user further speculated that Meghan might consider selling personalised copies to other recipients, adding: 'She's probably thinking of other unsuspecting recipients of her literary largesse who's dedications can be shilled for quick cash. Wonder who's next...'
Those theories remain unsubstantiated. There is no evidence establishing that Meghan created the listing, supplied the book to the seller, or attempted to profit from its sale.
The listing was posted by Drive Easy's Signed Books, rather than by Meghan or Eugenie. The seller described the copy as inscribed to Eugenie and Jack, but reporting has not established how the seller obtained the book.
For now, the central question remains unanswered. Whether the inscription is genuine, whether the couple ever received the book, and how it came into the bookseller's possession all remain unconfirmed.
