The Duchess of Sussex has been confirmed as a co-host of Junior MasterChef Australia, with filming set to take place in Melbourne in early to mid-2027. The announcement has drawn criticism from royal commentator Carole Malone, who described the move as a mistake during the Daily Express's Royals Unscripted podcast.
Carole Malone criticises the decision
Speaking on the podcast, Malone said: "She's making this sound like it is a really big, fabulous gig. No, it isn't. She's having to go to the other end of the world, to do a show with a relatively small audience. Co-hosting. Now, where is this going to take her?"
Malone suggested Meghan might have achieved more in acting, adding: "Now, had she stayed in Suits, maybe she would have been a big movie star by now, maybe Hollywood would have beckoned." She also said: "She could've made it big, but here she is now, married a prince, married into royalty, a prince from England, and she's going to the southern hemisphere to make a very small show with children."
Mixed reception in Australia
The news has received a mixed reaction in Australia, with some questioning why the Duchess was selected for the role. The Express spoke to fans on the streets of Melbourne on Wednesday, after hundreds signed a petition against Meghan co-hosting the upcoming series.
One resident, Rosa, 76, said: "We have so many Australians that could do that job. I'm not a fan of hers. I think we should get an Australian to do it." Bayley, 27, who lives in St Kilda, thought "it probably should be a chef," before adding: "But I am not a chef, so how can I judge?"
Selby Witteveen, 77, said: "Somebody had paid for her to come. She just wants money. She is there only trading on royalty, which she is no longer."
Malone responds to the backlash
In response to the protests, Malone said: "It is interesting how they perceive Meghan," adding that "it's interesting that they see her as someone whose motivation is money." She continued: "It kind of has to be that. Why would you go to the other end of the world to present a TV show... for kids. Why would you go there and know the ratings aren't going to be what you get in England?"
She concluded: "Up until this story, I thought she would have been seen as too grand to anything like a TV show here, but clearly she's not. I think that maybe a well-known TV show, if the price was right, maybe she would do it."
