The short version
- Meghan will join Poh Ling Yeow as co-host for the 2027 season of Junior MasterChef Australia, building on her successful guest appearance earlier this year.
- The announcement arrives as investigations continue into serious allegations against her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., which Meghan stated she was made aware of by authorities in 2019.
- It remains unclear whether the role requires a temporary move to Australia or if compensation has been agreed upon, as the family recently relocated from California to the United Kingdom.
The Duchess of Sussex has been confirmed as a co-host for the upcoming season of Junior MasterChef Australia, marking her return to the popular cooking franchise. Channel 10 announced that Meghan will serve as a special guest alongside established host Poh Ling Yeow for the 2027 series. This engagement follows her debut on the adult version of MasterChef Australia earlier this year, an appearance that drew the program’s largest Sunday audience since 2023 according to Paramount ANZ.
Meghan expressed enthusiasm for the new role in a public statement, noting that she enjoys cooking with her own children and looks forward to seeing what young contestants create. She described the decision to return as straightforward, citing her positive experience working with the production team during her April visit. Yeow echoed these sentiments, stating that reuniting with Meghan would be a treat and expressing excitement about meeting the young culinary participants.
The timing of this announcement intersects with significant personal challenges for the Duchess. In the same week the hosting deal was revealed, it emerged that Meghan had been informed by Metropolitan Police officials in 2019 regarding disturbing allegations against her father, Thomas Markle Sr. These accusations involve the possession of child sexual abuse material and are currently under investigation by a taskforce in Cebu, Philippines. Meghan stated she is deeply distressed by the recent developments and offered thoughts to any children who may have been harmed.
Thomas Markle Sr. has vehemently denied the accusations, labeling them as lies intended to destroy his reputation. He claims that the computers in question were not in his possession after he left Mexico with his son in 2025. The BBC reports that Meghan severed contact with her father last year after informing him that she and authorities believed he had abused young girls. This family conflict adds a layer of complexity to her public profile as she resumes high-profile media engagements.
Logistical details regarding the production remain sparse. No specific dates have been set for filming, which is expected to take place at the Melbourne Showgrounds. It is also unknown whether Meghan will receive payment for her role; Network 10 did not respond to inquiries about compensation. Her previous appearance on MasterChef Australia was reportedly unpaid, filmed during a four-day tour of the country undertaken with Prince Harry in April.
The family’s current residence adds another variable to the equation. In August, the Sussexes announced their move back to the United Kingdom from California, where they had lived for six years after stepping back from royal duties in 2020. Reports suggest they have settled in the Cotswolds. It remains unclear whether Meghan will need to relocate temporarily to Australia for filming or if arrangements can be made remotely. Her children, Archie and Lilibet, have recently changed schools following privacy concerns regarding photographers outside their previous educational institution.
This television role represents a shift in Meghan’s media strategy following the conclusion of her Netflix lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan. The show ran for two seasons and a Christmas special but did not achieve strong audience retention, leading to reports that it will not return for a third season despite millions of global views. Additionally, her lifestyle brand As Ever ended its partnership with the streaming platform earlier this year. Her trademark has been registered in various product categories in Australia, including cookware, suggesting a continued commercial interest in the region.
The reception to Meghan’s public appearances in Australia has been mixed. While her MasterChef debut generated significant viewership, broader public sentiment during her April tour was varied, with some residents expressing disinterest in what felt like a royal tour. As she prepares for her new role, attention will likely focus on how this engagement is perceived both as a professional endeavor and within the context of her ongoing personal and legal challenges.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗Meghan to co-host Junior MasterChef Australia
- The Guardian US↗Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, to co-host Junior MasterChef Australia: ‘It was an easy yes’
