Meghan Markle has written her first children's book, inspired by Prince Harry and Archie's relationship

• Meghan Markle's first children's book, "The Bench," is set to be published on June 8.
• The book, about a father-son bond, was inspired by Prince Harry and Archie's relationship.
• Markle and Harry are expecting their second child, a girl.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has written her first children's book.

"The Bench," set to be published on June 8, is about the connection between father and son as seen through a mother's eyes - and was inspired by Prince Harry's relationship with the couple's son, Archie Harrison, a press release from Penguin Random House said.

The book was illustrated by Christian Robinson and will be published by Random House Children's Books, the press release said.

Meghan Markle also narrated the audiobook, which will be released in the US and Canada by Listening Library, an imprint of the Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group, the publisher said. It will be released in the UK by Penguin Random House UK Audio, the press release said.

"Evoking a deep sense of warmth, connection, and compassion, 'The Bench' gives readers a window into shared and enduring moments between a diverse group of fathers and sons - moments of peace and reflection, trust and belief, discovery and learning, and lasting comfort," the press release said.

Markle said she started writing the book in June 2019, shortly after Archie's birth in May - and before she and Harry stepped back from royal life.

"'The Bench' started as a poem I wrote for my husband on Father's Day, the month after Archie was born," she was quoted as saying in the press release. "That poem became this story," she added.

Markle said it was important to her and the illustrator that the images in the book were inclusive.

"Christian layered in beautiful and ethereal watercolor illustrations that capture the warmth, joy, and comfort of the relationship between fathers and sons from all walks of life; this representation was particularly important to me, and Christian and I worked closely to depict this special bond through an inclusive lens," Markle said.

"My hope is that 'The Bench' resonates with every family, no matter the makeup, as much as it does with mine," she added.

Markle and Harry are expecting their second child, a girl, in the summer. The couple revealed the baby's sex during their interview with Oprah that aired in March.