A popular UK TV host faces criticism for saying Prince Harry and Meghan Markle should be thrown over the palace balcony

• UK TV host Eamonn Holmes said Harry and Meghan should be thrown over the palace balcony.
• Holmes made the comments in response to Harry's "Today" show interview.

A UK television host joked that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex should be thrown over the Buckingham Palace balcony after Prince Harry's "Today" show interview.

Eamonn Holmes, a Northern Irish news anchor, made the comments in response to a preview of the prince's interview on the "Today" show before it aired on Wednesday.

During the interview, Harry spoke to Hoda Kotb about his recent visit to the Queen in the UK and said he was ensuring that she was "protected" and with the right people. He also said he wasn't sure if he would be able to attend the monarch's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June due to security issues.

"He's got to be photographed, he's got to be on that balcony, he's bringing a book out where he's slagging off Camilla, and maybe William and his father," Holmes said during a segment of his show, "Breakfast with Eamonn & Isabel," on GB News.

"Why don't they just throw him over the balcony, and her with him?" he added.

Holmes and representatives for GB News did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

The book Holmes referred to is Harry's memoir, which is set to be released by Penguin Random House in late 2022, Insider previously reported. While the duke previously said it will be a "firsthand account" of his life, the exact contents have not yet been disclosed.

Holmes' comments have received criticism from several public figures. Omid Scobie, co-author of Markle and Harry's biography, "Finding Freedom," wrote on Twitter that the comments were "vile" and served to "incite violence and hate."

—Omid Scobie (@scobie) April 20, 2022

"The lives of Harry, Meghan and their family is treated as entertainment, talking heads make threats and yet they are mocked for wanting to ensure their safety," journalist Stephanie Guerilus wrote in response to Scobie's tweet.

—Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu (@SholaMos1) April 21, 2022

Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, an author and activist, wrote on Twitter: "Murder the Queen's grandson?

"Throwing Prince Harry and Meghan over the Royal Balcony is NOT an opinion. It's declared intent to incite MURDER against #HarryandMeghan," she added. "Prosecute Eamonn Holmes - Freedom of speech is NOT freedom from consequences. Like Piers Morgan it's intentional."

Representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.