Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, made a notable appearance as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia, garnering a wave of positive reactions from viewers. The 44-year-old Duchess entered the show's kitchen on Sunday, offering feedback to contestants tasked with preparing a dish "fit for a Duchess."
Viewers who admitted to knowing little about Markle reported being pleasantly surprised by her "warm manner" and "thoughtful feedback." Social media users described the former actress as "graceful," "down to earth," and "genuinely nice." Some online commenters drew comparisons to other celebrity guests, with one stating Markle was "more refreshing than Katy Perry," who had previously appeared on the program.
The episode was filmed in Melbourne during Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's visit to Australia in April. Contestants were challenged to use ingredients associated with the Duchess, including strawberries, lemons, artichokes, carrots, and Brussels sprouts, alongside edible flowers often linked to her Netflix series, "With Love, Meghan."
According to reports, Markle did not dominate the judging, instead listening carefully to the contestants' explanations and offering "calm, encouraging observations." Her measured approach appeared to impress viewers, with one American viewer noting her comments were "actually insightful and you could tell she has some knowledge."
During the judging, Prince Harry made a surprise FaceTime appearance from Canberra, where he was meeting veterans. The Duke of Sussex jokingly asked if he was interrupting anything important, to which Meghan replied they were sampling "incredible" dishes from talented cooks. She showed him the creations, remarking on a particularly spicy hot sauce.
The contestants expressed surprise at the cameo, with one noting it was "the last thing I was expecting." The interaction provided a glimpse into the couple's relationship, appearing playful and at ease despite being in different cities.
Meghan's rapport with co-judge Poh Ling Yeow also drew attention. The two appeared to connect quickly, laughing and chatting comfortably, seemingly putting an end to earlier speculation of tension between them.
Network 10 had announced Markle's guest role in April, describing her as a "passionate foodie." Her absence from part of the Sussexes' Australian itinerary was later attributed to the secret filming commitment. The culinary role was considered a natural fit for the Duchess, given her past lifestyle blog "The Tig" and her focus on cooking and entertaining in recent projects. Her appearance was noted for showcasing a softer, more relaxed side than what is often portrayed in media headlines.