Meghan Markle has confirmed she will join Junior MasterChef Australia as a co-host next year, a move that has drawn mixed reactions from the public.
The Duchess of Sussex announced her new role last week, which will take her to Melbourne for filming. The Duchess, who lives in the UK with her husband and children, will need to travel to Australia, with filming believed to take place in the first half of next year.
Return to Australian television
This will not be the first time Meghan has appeared on Australian TV. Earlier this year, she served as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia. While reaction to that appearance was also mixed, producers were reportedly keen for her to return.
Meghan herself appears eager to return to screens, describing the decision as an "easy yes". In a statement last week, 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."
She added: "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!"
Co-star reaction and future plans
MasterChef Australia judge Poh Ling Yeow, who will also feature on the show, said she enjoyed working with Meghan this year and is looking forward to appearing with her again. She 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."
Meghan was a full-time actress before marrying Prince Harry in 2018, and has been pursuing a return to work in television over recent years. This included launching the cooking show "With Love, Meghan", which was cut after two seasons.
Family arrangements uncertain
With filming taking place in Australia next year, it is not yet known whether Meghan's family will travel with her. Meghan has previously said she does not like being away from her children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, for too long.
As Archie and Lilibet attend school in the UK, it is believed that if filming occurs during term time, Prince Harry may stay in Britain with the children while Meghan travels for work. The filming dates have not yet been confirmed.
