Meghan Markle challenges MasterChef Australia contestants to create 'dish fit for a duchess'

The Duchess of Sussex is set to take her place at the judges' table on MasterChef Australia this Sunday, appearing as a guest on the Channel 10 cooking competition's latest series.

A freshly released two-minute teaser offers a preview of the 44-year-old's stint on the programme, which was filmed in April, during her and Prince Harry's visit to Australia.

Competitors were tasked with preparing a "dish fit for a Duchess" from a selection of seasonal produce that Meghan herself had chosen from the pantry. Among the ingredients laid out before contestants were honey, macadamia nuts, citrus fruits, edible flowers and celeriac.

The former actress has cited her passion for cooking and her fondness for Australia as the twin motivations behind accepting the invitation.

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While revealing the table of seasonal produce, Meghan also revealed Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet's favourite vegetable.

She declared to the contestants that "my kids eat Brussels sprouts," prompting judge Poh Ling Yeow to respond with "that's impressive."

Meghan also acknowledged the intensity of the MasterChef kitchen: "There is a lot of pressure in that kitchen. I don't like to cook that way, I like to cook in a really relaxed fashion."

She added: "All I can say to the competitors was to just remember to have fun, to keep a sense of humour about it, and to cook from the heart."

Meghan described cooking as her primary means of expressing care, noting that "food and cooking are how I show my nurturing and love for my friends, family and my kids."

In a press release confirming the broadcast, she expressed gratitude at being invited. "It's such a great show. I'm just really honoured that I was asked to be here with you and to be able to judge some of these meals."

However, the appearance has not been without controversy. Meghan's sensitivities about accusations that her Australian tour with Harry was capitalising on their royal connections reportedly spilt over into the MasterChef production.

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According to sources, the duchess and her team had "specifically" stipulated that the word "royal" should not be used in any promotional material.

She was then said to be "very frustrated" when fellow judge Poh had declared in the programme's trailer: "We've had MasterChef royalty in the kitchen before but no one like this."

The MasterChef guest spot comes as Meghan's cancelled Netflix lifestyle programme, With Love, Meghan, has secured an unexpected Daytime Emmy nomination in the outstanding lifestyle programme category.

The series launched in March 2025 alongside her lifestyle brand As Ever, with a second run and a Christmas special following.

Meghan's lifestyle brand As Ever, which was launched simultaneously with the series, has since parted ways with the streaming giant, with a spokesman confirming in March that the company was "now ready to stand on its own".

Despite this separation, Meghan and Prince Harry maintain their connection with Netflix through Archewell Productions, having secured a first-look deal that gives the platform priority access to their company's future projects.

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