Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, shared insights into her children's eating habits and offered advice to contestants during her guest appearance on MasterChef Australia. In a preview for the reality cooking show, Markle revealed that her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, enjoy eating Brussels sprouts.
Markle will feature as a guest judge on the current season of the Australian program. In a two-minute clip released, she presented contestants with a cooking challenge that involved ingredients such as honey, macadamia nuts, citrus, edible flowers, and celeriac. She encouraged the competitors to "cook from the heart and keep a sense of humour" amidst the high-pressure environment of the kitchen.
"I don't like to cook that way, I like to cook in a really relaxed fashion," Markle stated. "So, all I can say to the competitors was to just remember to have fun, to keep a sense of humour about it, and to cook from the heart."
She described food and cooking as her way of nurturing and showing love for her friends, family, and children. For her guest spot, contestants were tasked with creating a "dish fit for a Duchess" using ingredients she selected.
The former actress filmed her cameo during a visit to Australia with her husband, Prince Harry, approximately three months prior to the episode's airing. She cited her fondness for food and Australia as the primary reasons for accepting the guest judge role.
"What attracted me to the MasterChef Australia kitchen? Two things: my love of food and my love of Australia. It was an easy yes," Markle said in a press release. "It's such a great show. I'm just really honoured that I was asked to be here with you and to be able to judge some of these meals."
She also prompted contestants to explore the stories behind their dishes, asking what sentimental connections or family memories could be incorporated, suggesting these elements could enhance the tasting experience.
Previously, reports indicated Markle's team had expressed concerns about the promotional material for her appearance, specifically regarding the use of the term "royal." A source claimed she was "very frustrated" when she was described as "royalty" in a promo, as her preference was to avoid the word "royal" being used.
Markle's Netflix series, "With Love, Meghan," recently received a nomination for a Daytime Emmy Award in the outstanding lifestyle programme category. The series, which premiered in March 2025, focused on hosting tips and cooking lessons. Despite mixed reviews, the show earned the Emmy nomination alongside competitors such as NBC's "George To The Rescue" and Hallmark's "The Motherhood."