The Duchess of Sussex has been confirmed as co-host of Junior MasterChef Australia, a role that royal editor Russell Myers says cements Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as “international persons” free from royal responsibilities.
Meghan will host the cooking show alongside Australian chef and TV presenter Poh Ling Yeow, with whom she appeared on MasterChef earlier this year. The programme is set to air next year on Network Ten, according to Paramount Australia.
A New Role Down Under
Meghan issued a statement expressing her excitement about the role, which will see her relocate to Melbourne for several weeks of filming. The statement 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.”
Rumours have emerged that Prince Harry and their children Archie and Lilibet may join the Duchess in Australia while she films the show.
Freedom to Move Around the Globe
On this week’s episode of the Mirror’s Pod Save the King YouTube show, Russell Myers discussed how Meghan’s new role gives the Sussexes freedom to move around the globe for their projects without having to undertake any royal responsibilities.
Russell explained: “I mean, this falls back into them being sort of international persons, doesn't it? A family that can pick and choose where they want to be. They don't need to, like the King, be in the Caribbean and having to go to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting; William choosing places for Earthshot.”
He added: “I suppose that's possibly more his choice, but you know, when he has to go to places like Saudi Arabia to sit down with MBS and do the statesman-like thing, Harry and Meghan don't need to do that.”
Relocation and Return to UK
The news comes just weeks after the Sussex family relocated back to Britain after spending six years in California. Russell noted how their fluid schedule can take them all over the world for work opportunities.
He said: “They can really have their pick of where they want to go. So if you want to live in the States, or you want to come over to the UK for six months to 15 years, as we've said, or you want to go and spend some time in Australia, well, you know, if the opportunities are there, then surely they can go there.”
Meghan appeared on MasterChef Australia earlier this year, with the episode filmed in April and aired in July, where contestants were challenged to transform a staple ingredient into a dish “fit for a duchess”.
More than 1.5 million people watched the show as it broke the record for the biggest overnight Sunday audience since July 2023 and the biggest-ever overnight streaming audience, according to figures released by broadcaster Network 10.
A statement from Paramount Australia said: “With Poh’s culinary expertise and Meghan’s enthusiasm for cooking and nurturing young talent, Junior MasterChef Australia promises to serve up plenty of inspiration as the next generation of Australian cooks steps into the kitchen.”
