Today hosts slammed for savage reaction to Meghan's video: 'Trolls'

Karl Stefanovic and Sophie Walsh didn't hold back as they brutally mocked Meghan Markle's birthday video on the Today show on Thursday morning.

The Duchess of Sussex released a video on the Archewell website to mark her 40th birthday and introduce a new initiative, but the hosts of the Channel Nine breakfast program for some reason seemed less than impressed.

"I love that she's lecturing people about getting back to the workplace and she quit her job as a royal after less than two years," Sophie Walsh said in response to the project called 40x40, which aims to encourage women to mentor unemployed women who lost their jobs during the pandemic and get them back into the workforce.

RELATED:

• Today’s Karl Stefanovic slams Prince Harry’s $20 million tell-all memoir

• Royal family’s surprising message to Meghan Markle on her birthday

• Karl Stefanovic fires up over anti-lockdown protests: 'Sick with rage'

Karl Stefanovic, who had previously lashed out at Prince Harry over his upcoming tell-all memoir, chose to mock the video in general.

"And to have that dog's life, just lying there in front of the fire that's not on, on a pillow," he quipped.

"Why doesn't she talk normally? [American accent] 'To harness the woman's mobility as she works back...' I mean, come on," he went on, pulling a face.

"No wonder Harry's outside juggling!" he concluded, to which Sophie replied: "Harry's lost the plot."

Viewers weren't happy with the exchange taking to social media to slam the presenters for their comments.

"Why put this up when you all clearly with your disdain this morning for her... Do better! Just inform on the news we don't need your hateful narrative of her," one angry viewer shared on Twitter.

While another viewer labelled them "trolls" and called the segment "disgusting".

The video came as the Duchess of Sussex launched a new initiative to support women back into work, with Prince Harry also 'gatecrashing' the clip, which she filmed with actor Melissa McCarthy.

Meghan calls McCarthy in the video, and the actor offers suggestions of what to do for her 40th birthday including a yacht party or afternoon tea with their chickens.

The actress also suggests she arranges a Suits reunion - though former actor Meghan is quick to rebuff the idea.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry makes two brief appearances at the end of the video in the window of the couple's mansion in California, as he appears to attempt to juggle.

On Wednesday, the Duchess of Sussex's team at Archewell, the non-profit she runs with Prince Harry, officially announced 40x40, saying she had learnt that time is "among our greatest and most essential gift".

In an article posted on the Archewell website she wrote: "Amongst the most valuable gifts of time is also time spent in service to others knowing that it can contribute to incredible change.

"To that last point, and with my 40th lap around the sun in mind, it made me wonder: what would happen if we all committed 40 minutes to helping someone else or to mentoring someone in need? And then what would happen if we asked our friends to do the same?"

She continued: "I believe mentorship is one way to help women regain confidence and rebuild their economic strength, and for my birthday, I have asked 40 friends, activists, athletes, artists, and world leaders to help kickoff a global effort by contributing 40 minutes of mentorship to support women re-entering the workforce.

"With this time, I hope they each help someone advance a professional life on her own terms, and, I hope that they inspire countless others to give 40 minutes of their time as well."

Never miss a thing. Sign up to Yahoo Lifestyle’s daily newsletter.

Or if you have a story idea, email us at lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com.