Meghan Markle shares photo of Charlie Mackesy book to promote her As ever brand – after Kate featured ‘special’ illustration by the author in her comeback carol service last year amid cancer treatment

Meghan Markle appears to have taken another page from the Princess of Wales’ book in her latest Instagram post.

The Duchess of Sussex, 44, showed she’s a fan of British author and illustrator Charlie Mackesy this weekend by posting an extract from best-selling book The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse.

Meghan was promoting her lifestyle brand As Ever’s honey and leather bookmark Christmas gift set on Instagram; this is a new product launched just in time for the festive season.

In her post, which also included a short clip of Meghan writing calligraphy on her notebook, a page in the book opened with the following statements: ‘Always remember that you matter, that you are important, that you are loved, and that no one else can bring to this world.’

Kate, 43, included Mackesy’s special drawings in the 2024 Christmas carol ceremony she hosted after her cancer diagnosis and treatment last year.

At the time, Mackesy said: ‘Love, empathy and kindness are important messages for us all. It was very special to be asked to create illustrations for the Order of Service, as this year’s theme for the Princess of Wales’s Carol Service. I hope this reminds us of the beauty of being around each other at Christmas.’

The book Meghan chose to promote her products has sparked comparisons between her and Kate; some critics claimed she ‘mirrored’ the Princess.

“I’m not blown away by much of what he does, but this time I am,” one person wrote on Reddit.

Meghan’s Instagram post promoting the honey and leather bookmark gift set featured a page from Mackesy’s best-selling books The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse

‘Of all the books in the world, this one should be used. It’s truly incredible.”

Another person on X, formerly Twitter, claimed: ‘Classic Copy-Paste Duchess move.’

Mackesy’s illustrations have made him one of Britain’s best-loved artists, and his book has been named the best-selling adult hardback book of 2021 since records began.

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse was published in 2019 and celebrates themes of kindness and friendship.

Mackesy is also a close friend of the royal family. Last year, he painted a picture of a snowy scene featuring a group of people walking arm in arm towards Westminster Abbey, featured in Kate’s Order of Service for the annual Christmas carols event.

The beautiful drawing was accompanied by these words: ‘How did I help? “You were there for me, and that was everything.”

Kate’s hosting of the Christmas carol service last year – her fourth year doing so – was particularly significant as it was part of her gradual return to public duties after undergoing treatment for cancer.

The purpose of the service was to provide a moment of reflection about the importance of loved ones, especially during difficult times.

Last year, Kate, 43, included bespoke illustrations by Mackesy in her 2024 Christmas carol service (pictured in 2022)

The cover of the Order of Merit was designed by British illustrator Charlie Mackesy and carries a strong message of hope

Mackesy has also previously appeared at Queen Camilla’s Reading Room book club and chatted to the royal about her book in 2021.

Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall, told the author: ‘I just love your drawings. I spent my entire life doodling on horses throughout my childhood.

‘I used to do this everywhere, but unfortunately mine wasn’t like yours,’ he added.

Mackesy painted a special illustration for the Queen’s book club, which features a sweet owl with an open book with the words ‘Reading Room’ written on the front.

Meghan’s latest As Ever post comes after she launched her first Christmas collection, including a honey and leather bookmark gift set.

The leather bookmark features a note that reads ‘I fell asleep here’, while the 9-ounce honey jars are branded As Ever in Meghan’s calligraphy.

In the post saying ‘Our Honey Duo got even sweeter’, it was stated that the package will be available only at Godmothers bookstore for a limited time.

This isn’t the first time Meghan has shared her calligraphy skills; From 2004 to 2005, while he was an actor trying to make a living, he taught calligraphy, gift wrapping and book binding at the Paper Source store in Beverly Hills.

A close friend of the royal family, Mackesy created special drawings for Kate Middleton, last year’s Christmas carol ceremony and Queen Camilla. Photographed with Prince William in 2023

Sharing on Instagram, Meghan’s calligraphy skills are clearly visible on the labels of the honey jar and bookend set.

Meghan’s handwritten bookmark appears to have been used in an edition of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse.

In addition to his work at Paper Source, he also worked as a freelance calligrapher and wrote invitations for the 2005 wedding of celebrities Robin Thicke and Paula Patton.

And it appears to be driving a surge in sales of calligraphy craft kits, with Hobbycraft’s 2018 trend report detailing that interest in calligraphy kits is up 40 percent from 2017.

Hobbycraft noted that sales peaked in the summer, in line with the Royal Wedding on May 19, 2018.

The Duchess’ holiday collection includes new items like two candles inspired by her wedding date and birthday on August 4, and the 2021 Vintage Napa Valley Brut, priced at $89.

Signature Candle No. scented with Moroccan mint, cardamom and tea leaves. The 519 apparently ‘evokes the freshness of a day in the English countryside’, according to the enthusiastic description on its website.

The photo is said to capture ‘precious memories’ of the ‘ease and joy’ of Meghan’s wedding day on May 19, 2018.

Meghan has also added a new strawberry flavor to her fruit spread range; this flavor comes as part of the Signature Fruit Spread Gift set, along with a jar of orange marmalade and raspberries, for $42.