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When a signed book by Meghan Markle surfaced on eBay for £20,000, Princess Eugenie of York was thrust into the heart of a royal scandal. Between awkwardness, a tense phone call, and life as a new mother, the behind-the-scenes drama is intriguing.
The usually discreet Princess Eugenie of York has found herself at the center of a new royal controversy. A signed copy of Meghan Markle ‘s children’s book , *The Bench*, intended as a very personal gift for Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank, was spotted for sale on eBay at a price considered exorbitant. Faced with the outcry, Prince Harry’s cousin reportedly took the initiative by calling the Duchess of Sussex directly.
According to several British media outlets, Eugenie felt compelled to explain herself to Meghan when the scandal broke. She reportedly apologized for what she considers a huge blunder, while maintaining that she herself had not put the book up for sale. The fact that the listing was quickly removed and the exact source of the online posting remains unclear, however, the unease is very real.
Meghan Markle’s autographed book is being offered for nearly £20,000 on eBay.
Published in 2021, The Bench is a children’s book by Meghan Markle, inspired by the bond between Prince Harry and their son Archie. A copy presented as a gift for Eugenie bore a very personal inscription from the Duchess: “2021. Dear Eug and Jack, to celebrate the unique bond between a father and his son . I wrote this poem at Frogmore; I hope, Eug, that you know this same love with your men. With all my love, Meghan .”
According to specialist websites, this copy was listed by a London bookseller, Drive Easy’s Signed Books, as a “signed first edition” and “presentation copy,” at £19,999.99, or nearly £20,000, approximately €23,500. The seller stated that 10% of the proceeds would be donated to the Students’ Education Trust, an educational charity in Thailand. The listing was subsequently removed, marked as “no longer available,” without any information regarding the original owner or whether a buyer actually paid that price.
Princess Eugenie “horrified”: a blunt phone call to Meghan Markle
Faced with the circulation of screenshots of the announcement, Eugenie reportedly reacted very quickly. A source quoted by journalist Rob Shuter in his newsletter Naughty But Nice, and relayed by Gala magazine, states: ” Eugenie called Meghan herself. She was appalled that the book had ended up for sale and made it clear that she would never knowingly sell a personal gift from Meghan.” This same source describes a princess “horrified” by the turn of events.
AOL, citing the Daily Express, reports that the princess apologized to Meghan Markle for the public embarrassment, while denying any intention of profiting from the gift. Gala magazine, for its part, notes that Eugenie has been trying for several years to distance herself from the family feuds that pit a faction of the British monarchy against Meghan and Prince Harry.
Between royal scandal and new motherhood, Princess Eugenie of York wants to protect her bubble
Alongside this controversy, Eugenie’s personal life is in turmoil. Already a mother to August and Ernest, Queen Elizabeth II’s granddaughter gave birth to her third child on August 3, 2026, a daughter named Adelaide Elizabeth Annina. On Instagram, the princess explained to her followers: “Her name pays tribute to three people we love and admire , past and present, including her great-grandmother who holds a special place in our hearts.”
Between a busy daily life with three young children and her stated desire to remain aloof from internal conflicts, Eugenie has nonetheless found herself caught up in the media machine. Several observers point out that a royal gift can end up at a bookstore after being donated to a charity or simply being sorted through a library, without any direct intervention from the recipient. Lacking official information on the precise whereabouts of this copy of The Bench , only one thing remains certain for now: this children’s book has become a new source of tension surrounding Meghan Markle and her inner circle.
