A source close to Meghan Markle has shut down reports she upset MasterChef Australia judge Poh Ling Yeow. The Duchess of Sussex sparked a royal frenzy after it was alleged she had upset the judge ahead of her celebrity appearance set to air this weekend. However, a source has now come forward to firmly dispute the claims.
According to People, the source insisted the Duchess of Sussex “had a great time” filming the celebrity guest spot and said reports suggesting otherwise are “false”. The response follows Australian reports alleging Meghan, 44, and her team were unhappy with the way she was introduced in a promotional clip for the cooking competition.
Source Claims Meghan Had Positive Experience
Speaking to the outlet, the source claimed: “Meghan and the MasterChef judges had a great time on set together.” The source added: “They immediately had such a great rapport and had a really fun time working with the contestants and crew as well. Meghan left the set that day with such a positive experience.” The source further stated: “Any reporting otherwise is false.”
The comments follow reports that Meghan and her team were allegedly frustrated after judge Poh Ling Yeow referred to the Duchess as “royalty” while introducing her in a promotional trailer. Filmed during Meghan and Prince Harry’s visit to Australia in April, the clip showed Yeow saying: “We’ve had MasterChef royalty in the kitchen before, but nothing like this. All the way from sunny California, please welcome to MasterChef Australia…the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle!”
Background on Royal Titles
It was widely reported that Meghan was left “very frustrated” by the wording and had specifically requested that the word “royal” not be used. The report also alleged members of the Duchess’s team were outside the studio when the introduction was filmed and only became aware of it after the promotional clip aired.
Meghan and Prince Harry stepped back as working members of the Royal Family in 2020 before relocating to California. Although they agreed to stop using their His and Her Royal Highness (HRH) styles, they retained their titles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, meaning discussion around royal titles and terminology has continued since their departure from royal duties.
The reported reaction may come as a surprise to some royal fans, as Meghan has previously been publicly credited using her ducal title. During her now-cancelled podcast, Archetypes, she was credited simply as “Meghan, Duchess of Sussex”. Likewise, on her Netflix series With Love, Meghan - which she hosts and executive produces. She is also credited as “Meghan, Duchess of Sussex”. Just last April, another debate surrounding the use of her royal style emerged after a video shared online by podcast host Jamie Kern Lima showed a gift basket accompanied by a card reading: “With the Compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex.”
