Princess Eugenie and husband criticised over Meghan book sale listing

The Duchess of Sussex’s book is offered for £19,999.99 on eBay

A storm of royal controversy has erupted online after a personally inscribed first edition of Meghan Markle’s children’s book, The Bench, was listed for sale on eBay with an eye-watering price tag of £19,999.99.

The advertisement, which quickly accumulated more than 20,000 views before abruptly ending, showed clear photographs of a handwritten dedication penned in the Duchess of Sussex’s signature calligraphic handwriting to her cousin-in-law, Princess Eugenie, and her husband, Jack Brooksbank.

The sudden appearance of what was meant to be an intimate family keepsake has triggered sharp criticism across social media, leaving royal watchers questioning whether the York princess discarded a heartfelt gesture or fell victim to an embarrassing security breach.

The £20,000 Listing and Its Intimate Inscription

The listing was hosted by specialist autograph dealer Nicholas Joseph Greenwood under "Drive Easy’s Signed Books," offering the 2021 first-edition hardback under a "Buy It Now" price of £19,999.99 (roughly $26,500) or "Best Offer".

The seller verified the item by sharing high-resolution photos of the opening page, revealing a poignant message written directly to the couple:

"2021 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 text referred directly to Frogmore Cottage, where Prince Harry and Meghan lived before their move to Montecito, California, and where Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank subsequently resided following the birth of their first son, August.

The deeply sentimental inscription touched on family bonds, parenting, and shared domestic milestones.

Public Backlash: Did Eugenie 'Flog' the Gift?

The listing sent shockwaves through royal discussion forums and social channels. Princess Eugenie has long been regarded as one of the few British royals who maintained a warm, supportive relationship with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex following their exit from frontline royal duties.

Online commentators were swift to criticize the couple, assuming the book was deliberately offloaded:

• Critics voiced disappointment over the perceived snub: "Meghan gave Eugenie a signed copy with a lovely personal message... shame she either binned it or flogged it on eBay. Some treasures clearly aren't appreciated."

• Others raised the possibility of a private estate leak, suggesting the book might have been cleared out accidentally during moves between London and Portugal, misplaced by domestic staff, or given to charity shops without realization.

Neither Buckingham Palace nor representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have issued an on-the-record comment regarding how the volume left royal hands.

Mystery Deepens as the Listing Abruptly Ends

Shortly after the item sparked widespread scrutiny and made headlines across national outlets, the seller terminated the listing, marking the status as "This listing was ended by the seller because the item is no longer available".

It remains unconfirmed whether the book was privately purchased for five figures, pulled following behind-the-scenes legal pressure from royal representatives, or withdrawn due to intense media attention.

Regardless of whether the sale was an intentional dismissal of a personal gift or an accidental oversight during a household clearance, the episode adds another awkward chapter to the strained relationships and public fascination surrounding the House of Windsor.

Key Details at a Glance

Detail	Fact
Item	First Edition of The Bench by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (2021)
Recipient Inscription	Dedicated to "Eug & Jack"
Asking Price	£19,999.99 (~$26,500)
Significance	Mentions Frogmore Cottage and father-son bonding
Current Status	Ended / Removed from eBay