Meghan Markle uses pic of Prince Harry and Archie holding hands inside her children’s book The Bench inspired by them

PRINCE Harry and Archie can be seen holding hands in a touching picture in Meghan Markle's children's book.

The Duchess of Sussex, 39, was "inspired" to pen The Bench after originally writing a poem for Harry's first Father's Day from their son.

And a sneak peek inside the book shows Harry and Archie also feature in a cute illustration.

The picture shows a ginger-haired dad with a beard walking hand-in-hand with a child around Archie's age.

It features below a handwritten note to Meghan's close pal Gray Mallin - a photographer based in California.

It reads: "Dear Gray, from one parent to another - all my love from my family to yours. As ever Meghan."

Further photos from inside the book show a boy being lifted into the air by a red-headed dad in military uniform as a woman weeps from the window.

The preview of The Bench was posted on Instagram today ahead of it's release on June 8.

There is an official printed card signed "with compliments of the Office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex".

The inclusion of the card will likely cause controversy as anger continues to grow among Meghan and Harry still using their royal titles despite Megxit.

She has already been slammed for giving her pen name as "Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex".

And now more than 20,000 people have signed a petition calling for Prince Harry to give up his royal titles.

Royal author Angela Levin said previously: "The fact that she wants to cling on to her royal title and the book is written by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is laughable.

"Because they wanted to get away from the Royal Family, they hated the Royal Family - they felt trapped.

"They didn't like it, they wanted freedom and they’ve got freedom. You can’t have everything you want like that."

Meghan announced she had written the book last month and revealed she will also narrate an audiobook of the tale.

She said: "The Bench started as a poem I wrote for my husband on Father's Day, the month after Archie was born. That poem became this story.

"Christian layered in beautiful and ethereal watercolour 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.

"My hope is that The Bench resonates with every family, no matter the make up, as much as it does with me."

But royal experts have pointed out it comes at a time when Meghan and Harry’s relationships with their own fathers could not be more strained.

Meghan has not spoken to her father Thomas, 76, for three years and even embroiled him in a High Court privacy case.

Meanwhile Harry, 36, accused his father Prince Charles of being trapped in the Royal ­Family.

He also claimed he moved with Meghan and Archie to the US to break the "cycle of pain".

Meghan previously wrote a lifestyle blog, The Tig, before marrying into the royal family.

She also penned a piece for Time magazine but this is the first time she has tried her hand at a book.

The former actress has experienced voiceover work though - narrating Disney documentary Elephant after stepping down as a senior royal.

It comes amid fears the story could be at risk of flopping after Waterstones pulled its publisher's books from displays in a row over supply.