Today host Allison Langdon throws shade at Meghan Markle over kids’ book

She’s known for her headline-grabbing royal commentary.

And Today anchor Allison Langdon couldn’t resist throwing shade at Meghan Markle on Wednesday during a segment about her new children’s book, titled The Bench.

While discussing the Duchess of Sussex’s book, Allison, 41, questioned the words on her own autocue, which compared the LA-based royal to famous children’s authors.

‘Oh, a stretch’: Today host Allison Langdon (left, with Karl Stefanovic) questioned the words on her own autocue on Wednesday while delivering a report on Meghan Markle’s children’s book

Allison’s script – which was most likely written by a producer or researcher – compared Meghan, 39, to Roald Dahl and Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling.

But as she read the words on air, the mother of two couldn’t help but acknowledge the comparisons were ‘a stretch’. 

‘Meghan Markle is joining the ranks of Roald Dahl and J.K. Rowling – oh, a stretch – by writing her first children’s book about the bond between fathers and sons,’ she said. 

Comparisons: Allison's script - which was most likely written by a producer - compared Meghan (left, with her husband Prince Harry in October 2019) to Roald Dahl and J.K. Rowling

Comparisons: Allison’s script – which was most likely written by a producer – compared Meghan (left, with her husband Prince Harry in October 2019) to Roald Dahl and J.K. Rowling

Editorialising: As she read the words on air, the mother of two couldn't help but acknowledge the comparisons were 'a stretch'

Editorialising: As she read the words on air, the mother of two couldn’t help but acknowledge the comparisons were ‘a stretch’

When Allison said there would be an audiobook coming out, narrated by the duchess herself, Nine’s U.S. correspondent Amelia Adams couldn’t hide her sarcasm.

‘Can you imagine anything better? I mean, pop it on in the car, pop it on at home when you’re cooking dinner. Meghan’s dulcet tones…’ she said.

Elsewhere, the Today hosts discussed the fact the book had started out as a poem Meghan had written for her husband Prince Harry on Father’s Day.

Allison’s co-anchor Karl Stefanovic burst into laughter and expressed disbelief that the California-based Sussexes would write poetry for each other in their spare time.

‘They actually write poetry together!’ the 46-year-old exclaimed. 

'Meghan's dulcet tones...' When Ally said there would be an audiobook coming out, narrated by the duchess herself, Nine's U.S. correspondent Amelia Adams couldn't hide her sarcasm

‘Meghan’s dulcet tones…’ When Ally said there would be an audiobook coming out, narrated by the duchess herself, Nine’s U.S. correspondent Amelia Adams couldn’t hide her sarcasm

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is to publish a children’s book next month titled The Bench about the relationship between a father and son based on her husband Prince Harry and the couple’s child Archie, the publisher said on Tuesday. 

The book is the latest venture by Meghan and Harry, Queen Elizabeth’s grandson, since they stepped down from royal duties and moved to Los Angeles last year with Archie, who celebrates his second birthday this week.

Illustrated by Californian artist Christian Robinson, The Bench will be published on June 8, with Meghan narrating an audiobook version, publisher Random House Children’s Books said.

'They actually write poetry together!' Elsewhere, the Today hosts discussed the fact the book had started out as a poem Meghan had written for her husband Prince Harry on Father's Day - something Karl Stefanovic (centre) found particularly amusing

‘They actually write poetry together!’ Elsewhere, the Today hosts discussed the fact the book had started out as a poem Meghan had written for her husband Prince Harry on Father’s Day – something Karl Stefanovic (centre) found particularly amusing 

‘The Bench started as a poem I wrote for my husband on Father’s Day, the month after Archie was born. That poem became this story,’ the duchess said in a statement.

‘My hope is that The Bench resonates with every family, no matter the makeup, as much as it does with mine.’

Meghan, who is pregnant with the couple’s second child, is not the first royal to venture into the world of children’s literature. 

New project: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is to publish a children's book next month titled The Bench about the relationship between a father and son based on her husband Prince Harry and the couple's child Archie, the publisher said on Tuesday. Pictured in January 2020 in London

New project: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is to publish a children’s book next month titled The Bench about the relationship between a father and son based on her husband Prince Harry and the couple’s child Archie, the publisher said on Tuesday. Pictured in January 2020 in London

Heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles wrote The Old Man of Lochnagar based on stories he used to tell his young brothers, while Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, has also penned a number of children’s stories.

Meghan and Harry have rarely been out of the media spotlight since they gave an explosive interview to U.S. chat show host Oprah Winfrey in February, accusing one unnamed royal of making a racist remark and ignoring her pleas for help when she felt suicidal.

Harry returned to Britain for the first time since that interview for the funeral of his grandfather Prince Philip last month.

Coming soon: Illustrated by Californian artist Christian Robinson, The Bench will be published on June 8, with Meghan narrating an audiobook version, publisher Random House said

Coming soon: Illustrated by Californian artist Christian Robinson, The Bench will be published on June 8, with Meghan narrating an audiobook version, publisher Random House said

It comes after Allison made global headlines in March when she claimed most people could guess which Royal family member allegedly aired concerns over how ‘dark’ Prince Harry and Meghan’s son Archie would be.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had made the claim during their interview with Oprah, but refused to name the person because it would be ‘damaging’. 

Allison said it was obvious to her who made the remark, but her co-anchor Karl wasn’t quite so convinced. 

‘Without saying any names, if you read between the lines a little bit yesterday, I think most people are leaning towards a certain royal,’ she said.

Karl asked her: ‘Who?’ 

Claims: Meghan and Harry have rarely been out of the media spotlight since they gave an explosive interview to U.S. chat show host Oprah Winfrey in February, accusing one unnamed royal of making a racist remark and ignoring her pleas for help when she felt suicidal

Claims: Meghan and Harry have rarely been out of the media spotlight since they gave an explosive interview to U.S. chat show host Oprah Winfrey in February, accusing one unnamed royal of making a racist remark and ignoring her pleas for help when she felt suicidal

‘Well, it’s incredibly defamatory to say so,’ Allison replied, choosing her words carefully, and insisted she wasn’t going to mention any names. 

Karl seemed genuinely confused by what his co-host was suggesting, saying: ‘But I don’t know who you are talking about. It could be one of four.’ 

‘I just think there was enough hints that [Harry] dropped in that interview about his relationship with certain people,’ Allison explained.

‘I don’t know which one… No one has the courage to say it,’ Karl responded. 

Speculation: Allison made global headlines in March when she claimed most people could guess which Royal family member allegedly aired concerns over how 'dark' Prince Harry and Meghan's son Archie would be

Speculation: Allison made global headlines in March when she claimed most people could guess which Royal family member allegedly aired concerns over how ‘dark’ Prince Harry and Meghan’s son Archie would be