Eamonn Holmes was forced to make an on-air apology on This Morning after an unblurred image of the Italian magazine front cover featuring the Duchess of Cambridge in a bikini "accidentally" appeared on screen.
The image appeared during the programme's news review segment when the publication of the photographs of pregnant Kate in a bikini on a private Caribbean holiday was being discussed.
The photos, which have been condemned by St James's Palace, are said to show Kate strolling on a beach on the island of Mustique with William.
Presenter Holmes said: "Earlier during today's news review we were discussing photographs of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on a beach in Mustique published in an Italian magazine. Unfortunately we accidentally showed an unblurred image of the magazine cover, which briefly showed the photographs.
"This was a deeply regrettable error and we are very sorry. We apologise unreservedly to the Duke and the Duchess."
This gaffe comes just months after This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield was roundly criticised after he confronted David Cameron with a list of alleged paedophiles.
Meanwhile, the editor of an Australian magazine has defended her decision to print photographs of Kate in a bikini, saying her readers will "love" the images.
Woman's Day is the second publication to use the pictures of the pregnant royal, following magazine Chi. They were reportedly taken from a boat using a long-lens camera, but Fiona Connolly, editor of Woman's Day, claimed a member of the public snapped the Duchess.
Speaking to Australia's Channel Nine network ahead of publishing the pictures in Monday's edition of the magazine, Ms Connolly said: "Look, I think the British are very sensitive about this. As Australians, we see this every day. We see pregnant women in bikinis on the beach - and a public one at that - so we are a lot less sensitive here in Australia."
A St James's Palace spokesman said: "We are disappointed that photographs of the Duke and Duchess on a private holiday look likely to be published overseas. This is a clear breach of the couple's right to privacy."
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