Australian media say the Duchess of Sussex will spend several weeks filming the revived children’s cooking show next year. No broadcaster or producer has confirmed it.
Meghan Markle, 45, is reportedly heading back to Australia to host the upcoming season of Junior MasterChef Australia, according to news.com.au. The show is understood to be returning to Channel Ten in 2027. Meghan is said to be due to appear alongside MasterChef Australia judge Poh Ling Yeow. Prince Harry and their children could join her in Australia, though no firm plans have been confirmed. The research notes found no announcement from Network Ten, Paramount or the producers.
What is reported
A source close to the production told news.com.au that the Duchess would have a key hosting role. Filming is expected to take place in Melbourne over several weeks in early to mid-2027, which could see her relocate temporarily to Victoria. Australian reports name Melbourne Showgrounds as the likely location, where the show’s third season was filmed in 2020. No start date, schedule or salary has been announced.
The last Australian series aired from 11 October to 9 November 2020. It featured 14 contestants aged nine to 14, with Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo as judges. Eleven-year-old Georgia Eris won the A$25,000 prize. The source describes the gap as six years, but the notes put it at about seven, since the 2020 season ended in November. Meghan has judged young cooks before, appearing on Chopped Junior for the US Food Network in 2016.
Harry, the children and life abroad
The Sussexes recently moved back to the UK after several years overseas. Sources have previously said they want to stay flexible about where they spend long periods, with Australia among the places under consideration. A source told The Sunday Times in August: “It’ll be an extended period of time. It could be six months, it could be a year, it could be more. I don’t think even they know yet.”
The source adds a further quote, apparently from the same line of reporting, though it does not say who said it: “They might suddenly go, ‘Why don’t we try Canada for a while?’ They love Canada. ‘Why don’t we try Australia?’ It’s one of the great things about having left the institution.”
Her MasterChef appearance
The reported role follows a guest appearance on MasterChef Australia earlier this year. Meghan filmed the guest spot at Melbourne Showgrounds on 15 April, while visiting Australia with Prince Harry. The episode aired on 26 July. Prince Harry surprised contestants by appearing on a video call from Canberra. Viewers who said they knew little about her described her as “graceful”, “down to earth” and “genuinely nice”, according to the source.
The notes say reports of friction with Poh Ling Yeow have not been established. In July, Australian reports alleged that Meghan’s team was unhappy after Poh introduced her with a reference to royalty. A source close to Meghan denied any disagreement to People, and Poh praised Meghan on Australian radio on 6 August. TV Blackbox reported in April a rumoured fee of US$250,000, about A$380,000, for the MasterChef appearance, but without a contract or confirmation, so that figure should not be treated as established. The notes also say ITV News reported in April that Meghan was interested in expanding her As Ever lifestyle brand to Australia, but no agreement links it to Junior MasterChef.
Her father
The source ends with the investigation involving Meghan’s father, Thomas Markle Snr, 82, in the Philippines. His son, Thomas Markle Jr, has alleged that he found child sexual abuse material among belongings left behind by his father. Mr Markle Snr denies the allegations, which are unproven and which no authority has found to be true. In a statement, Meghan said she was first made aware of accusations about her father by the Metropolitan Police in 2018. She said this led to her decision not to let him meet Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, “to safeguard” them. Philippine authorities have reportedly been contacted by the FBI.
