Meghan Markle reportedly asked not to be called 'royalty' during her guest appearance on MasterChef Australia, leaving judge Poh Ling Yeow 'upset' after she used the term.
Duchess's request on set
The Duchess of Sussex, 44, and her team instructed producers not to refer to her as 'royalty' during the show. However, Yeow welcomed Meghan by saying: 'We've had MasterChef royalty in the kitchen before, but no one like this.' She added: 'All the way from sunny California, please welcome to MasterChef Australia… the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle!'
According to reports, the former Suits actress was left 'very frustrated' by the remark, which reportedly left Yeow feeling upset and distraught.
Insider accounts
One insider told Sky News: 'It wasn't about Meghan personally. Poh felt she had been unintentionally drawn into a royal protocol issue she never intended to be part of.' Another source claimed Yeow, 52, wanted to personally apologise to the Duchess but was advised against it. The source said: 'She was willing to reach out immediately. But she was advised to leave it for production to handle.'
Royal title usage
Meghan and Prince Harry, 41, retain their titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex, granted by the late Queen Elizabeth II after their 2018 wedding. Although they stepped down as working royals in 2020, they agreed not to use their HRH styles for public or commercial purposes. Meghan has been publicly credited as 'Meghan, Duchess of Sussex' on her podcast Archetypes and Netflix series With Love, Meghan.
