The Duchess of Sussex is set to appear as a co-host on Junior MasterChef Australia, but the announcement has already triggered a political backlash over who will pay for her security during filming.
Both major political parties in Australia have dismissed suggestions that the government will fund security for Meghan, 45, who is expected to spend several weeks in Melbourne for filming in early-to-mid 2027.
Political parties reject security funding
Immediately after the announcement, questions were raised about who would cover the cost of Meghan's security while she is in Australia. On News24, presenter Samara Gill noted that this is not a royal state visit and questioned why taxpayers would be expected to foot the bill.
"She's going on Junior MasterChef. It's not a royal state visit," Samara said. "Why are taxpayers really expected to provide a security entourage for what is essentially a cooking competition?"
Broadcasters criticise the suggestion
Writer and broadcaster Emma Trimble described the suggestion as "outrageous," stating: "I don't know if this is a suggestion that's come from her personally, but the idea that the Australian taxpayer should fund this is so outrageous that I can't believe it was ever a suggestion that was made in the first place.
"As you say, it's a cooking show. They are very wealthy individuals. She will be paid, presumably, for her appearance on this cooking show. And even if she wasn't, I'm sure that they're very capable of covering the cost of their own security. Why should her hardworking Australians have to pay for it?"
Claims of a 'ruse' for security
Samara Gill also claimed that Meghan has received a "royal rejection" from Australians, criticising what she described as the couple's sense of entitlement.
Paul Cox argued that this was another "ruse" by the Sussexes to ensure they get taxpayer-funded security in the UK. "They were not invited by the state. The Australian state didn't say, 'Please come and host this kids cooking program, whoever you are.' They have no responsibility for her whatsoever," he said.
"This is just ridiculous. Meghan Markle, if she did a deal, should have included the security costs in her deal. They should she should have said, 'It's X amount for me. I'm going to need another amount for my security.'"
Cox argued that Meghan won't even need security, as "no one's going to notice her coming and going." Referring to Harry and Meghan's visit to Australia earlier this year, where they visited Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney, he claimed the couple attracted virtually no public interest, insisting that "absolutely nobody turned up to see them."
He added: "There is no need for her to have security. This is a kids cooking programme and nobody is going to be looking out for her. It's just a ruse to get a lot of publicity and to get the state in the United Kingdom to pay for her security here."
