Irish TV presenter Eamonn Holmes launched a blistering attack on Meghan Markle before threatening to sue a viewer who accused him of racism.
The This Morning host said he felt the Duchess of Sussex was ‘up her own backside’ and displayed an ‘uppity attitude’.
It was part of a segment on the show that saw the panellists debate whether Markle was being fairly treated in the media.
Markle and her husband Prince Harry had refused to give details of their son Archie’s birth. They have also been accused of failing to follow royal protocol on numerous occasions.
Markle had also received criticism after a bodyguard stopped a member of the public from taking a selfie at Wimbledon as she thought he was taking a picture of her.
Holmes said: “All these restrictions come along: don’t take pictures of me, we are not going to tell you who the godparents of our children are, we are not even going to tell you the name of our new pet dog.
“It seems to be a bit distant, especially since they are taking money from the public purse. Could you offer her some PR advice?”
Canadian reporter Lainey Lui said that it was unfair that Markle was being singled out when the same accusations could be made towards other members of the Royals family.
Holmes said: “You do know why it’s landing on her, if you have an uppity attitude, you’re only through the door two minutes, and then suddenly you’re sitting at Wimbledon and you’re royal protection people are saying ‘ no photographs’, you do know as a reporter you’d be the first writing that they are right up their own backside. You would.”
Holmes’ wife Ruth Langsford added: “Eamonn mentioned the public purse, they are living in Frogmore cottage and the estimated bill is coming to £3 million. Can you understand why a lot of the British public are saying ‘Hang on, we are paying for the refurbishment of your home, why can’t you share with us the name of your dogs, or take a selfie, when we are basically paying for your lifestyle?”
Lui replied: “It’s completely valid to have criticism on how the British Royal family spend money. Will and Kate have also refurbished Kensington Palace and they spent a lot of money on that too.
“I do think there is a line. What benefit is it to us to know the names of the dogs?”
Many viewers sided with Markel, with some suggesting that Holmes and Langsford were being racist.
One person tweeted: “Working from home so getting to see the inherent racism of the British media as personified by @EamonnHolmes & @RuthieeL who are currently unashamedly bashing Meghan Markle live on @thismorning.”
This infuriated Holmes who tweeted his reply: “What a stupid bigoted arse you are . U r typical of the sort who only want your questions asked. Our job is to ask questions. That’s what we did and we did it very well. Call me racist again and I will sue your bigoted stupid arse off you.
“The very idea we have to defend ourselves. The public initially loved Megan …. and Harry is sooo popular. Don’t shoot the messenger over such own goals. This all could so easily be turned around. They could do worse than consult a few Media people like ourselves.”
Take a look at the video below.
Written by Michael Kehoe @michaelcalling