Meghan Markle has pushed back against claims that her appearance on MasterChef Australia became a frustrating experience following an apparent on-air mistake.
The Duchess of Sussex appeared as a surprise guest judge in Season 18, Episode 56, which aired on July 26, 2026. The episode was reportedly filmed in April during Meghan’s private four-day visit to Australia.
During the show, judge Poh Ling Yeow referred to Meghan as “royalty,” despite reports that the production team had been asked to avoid using the term.
“We’ve had MasterChef royalty in the kitchen before, but no one like this,” Yeow said while introducing the duchess.
According to Radar Online, the remark left Yeow worried that she had accidentally become involved in a sensitive issue surrounding Meghan and Prince Harry’s royal status.
“It wasn’t about Meghan personally,” an insider told the outlet. “Poh felt she had been unintentionally drawn into a royal protocol issue she never intended to be part of.”
Yeow reportedly wanted to apologize directly to Meghan but was advised to allow the show’s production team to handle the situation.
Meghan’s representatives, however, have denied that the incident caused any tension. They maintain that she enjoyed her time on the program and had a positive experience with the cast and crew.
Despite that denial, another unnamed source made a series of critical claims about Meghan’s behavior behind the scenes, alleging that members of the production team found working with her difficult. The source also described Harry as charming and approachable but accused him of enabling his wife.
Those allegations have not been independently confirmed, and no other members of the MasterChef Australia team have publicly supported the claims.
