Meghan Markle's appointment as co-host of Junior MasterChef Australia has triggered a backlash in Australia, with a petition circulating demanding her removal from the show. The Duchess of Sussex, 45, confirmed last week that she would join the cooking programme and spend several weeks in Melbourne for filming in early-to-mid 2027.
Petition and Criticism
The announcement has not been well received by Australians, who have started a petition against her involvement. News24 presenter Samara Weaving said: "Critics are questioning why producers even chose Meghan over an Australian chef."
Royal commentator Hilary Fordwich suggested that Meghan's popularity has also declined in the UK, citing a YouGov poll that ranked her second from bottom, just above Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, in the latest Royal Family favourability ratings.
Expert Views on the Reaction
Discussing the petition and poll results, Hilary said: "Decent people don't like to see anybody throw their family under the proverbial royal bus. People have seen the influence she had on the once-highly popular Prince Harry, people are disgusted with that. There is a line for most people and that is authenticity. They've seen her being a hypocrite. They've seen her want to speak out against social media influencing children and being damaging to children, and then monetising her own children."
She added: "I think that's what it is. People dislike that and that's why you're seeing these petitions signed. They don't want her."
Samara agreed with many Australians who oppose Meghan's participation, remarking: "I think an Australian chef should receive that platform and any smart producer would look at those popularity ratings and say this probably isn't worth the massive amount of money that they're going to have to pay Meghan to appear on the show."
Meghan's Response
Meghan appeared as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia earlier this year and said it was "an easy yes" when invited to return. In a statement, she said: "I had an incredible time with the whole team at MasterChef this past April, so when they approached me to come back and work with this young group of talent, it was an easy yes. I love cooking with my own kids, so seeing what these young stars create in the kitchen is going to be a lot of fun. I can't wait to see what they cook up!"
MasterChef Australia judge Poh Ling Yeow, who will also feature on the show, commented: "I had a lovely time filming with Meghan earlier this year, and being reunited will be a real treat. I can't wait to meet our pint-sized culinary adventurers."
