diff --git a/docs/release_notes/0.197.0.md b/docs/release_notes/0.197.0.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ccdc62c443
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/release_notes/0.197.0.md
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+# Release v0.197.0
+
+## 🐛 Bug Fixes
+
+- Add IAM capability if a custom IAM role is provided for Auto Mode (#8071)
+
+## 📝 Documentation
+
+- Cleanup Hybrid Nodes docs (#8072)
+
+## Acknowledgments
+
+The eksctl maintainers would like to sincerely thank @geoffcline.
+