The Duchess of Sussex is reportedly planning to leave the UK for several weeks following confirmation that she will co-host the new season of Junior MasterChef Australia. Meghan Markle will join the 2027 series as a special guest alongside fellow host Poh Ling Yeow.
Duchess confirmed for Junior MasterChef Australia
Meghan said she "can't wait" to take part in the programme after appearing as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia last year. She is set to film the series in Australia for a few weeks, though reports indicate her children, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, will not relocate with her.
The announcement has drawn criticism from commentators. Charlotte Griffiths, editor at large of the Mail On Sunday, spoke on Tuesday about Meghan's news, claiming the Duchess has "run out of road in the UK and the States."
Commentators question the move
Griffiths said: "I thought she was presenting adult's MasterChef... I thought, 'oh, well that's sort of a downturn for Meghan.' Then I realised it was the junior version. The 5pm one, not the primetime one. I thought this is desperation.
"I honestly think she might have run out of road in the UK and in the States. She's resorted to going all the way out to Australia."
She added: "They were very pointed in the statement saying that Harry won't be coming with her and neither will the kids." Griffiths went on to claim Meghan will be away from her children for a month due to work commitments, and suggested the move could also be to "distance herself from the allegations about her father."
Background and family scrutiny
The announcement comes as Meghan faces increased scrutiny due to her father Thomas Markle being accused of child sexual abuse. He denies the allegations.
Meghan's return to Australia follows a four-day tour of the country she and Prince Harry undertook in April. "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," Meghan said in a statement.
In August, the Sussexes announced they were moving back to the UK from California. The couple left the UK and stepped back from their royal duties in early 2020, before settling in California in March that year.
