Alison Hammond slammed by ITV This Morning viewers for branding Meghan Markle criticism ‘racism’ and ‘misogyny’

During the segment, Ms Hammond introduced a clip of the duchess speaking candidly about her experience of online abuse, in which she warned that social media platforms are “anchored and predicated on cruelty to get clicks”.

The presenter then turned to journalist Bryony Gordon and stated: “Imagine being the most trolled person in the world. What that must do for you mentally.”

Ms Gordon, who has previously defended the mother-of-two and Prince Harry, claimed she had experienced trolling herself “by proxy” for supporting the couple.

Recalling her own interactions with the duchess, Ms Gordon said the 44-year-old bore “no resemblance” to the “villain” portrayed online and argued that the hostility said more about modern culture than the individual at its centre.

“There’s this sort of level of vitriol that is levelled, particularly at Meghan,” she said, adding that while not everyone has to like public figures, “we don’t need to take abuse".

Ms Hammond went on to question the scale of criticism directed at the former working roal, asking: “Ultimately, what has she ever done, really and truly? What, has she murdered anybody? No. She hasn’t done anything, really.”

She also described it as “sad” that Ms Gordon faced abuse simply for supporting the duchess.

The conversation took a more pointed turn when co-presenter Dermot O'Leary asked the panel why they believed the dutchess attracts such intense backlash.

Ms Hammond appeared to agree with Ms Gordon’s assessment, nodding as she said: “Racism.”

She continued: “Do you know what? You’ve got to call it out when it’s there. Don’t be silly. It’s racism. It’s misogyny. It’s everything, all of the above.

“Ultimately, like you said, Bryony, there’s always going to be someone who doesn’t like you, but I think the level of what she had was completely different, wasn’t it? It was a different sense of hate.”

The remarks quickly sparked a fierce reaction online, with viewers taking to X to voice their opinions on Ms Hammond's comments.

Critics pushed back against the suggestion that prejudice was behind the backlash, with one user writing: “Being called out for bad behaviour is not bullying nor is it racist.”

Another added: “Apparently you can’t be critical of a woman or that’s ‘misogynistic’… well it’s not, you’re just wrong.”

Others argued that public perception of the dutchess had shifted over time, questioning whether the criticism was linked to her actions rather than her identity.

“Could it be it isn’t down to sexism, racism, but just down to some people simply don’t like her?” one post read.

However, supporters of the duchess were quick to defend the former working royal.

“Never really understood why she gets so much abuse. I like her and Harry,” one user wrote, while another suggested critics would soon “go back to their usual national sport of trashing her again”.

The debate comes after the Duchess of Sussex made the comments during a visit to Australia, where she spoke to young mental health advocates about the impact of social media.

Addressing students, she said: “For now, 10 years, every day for 10 years, I’ve been bullied and attacked… and I was the most trolled person in the entire world.”

She added that online platforms form part of a “billion-dollar industry” built on outrage and negativity, urging young people to be “stronger than that”.