Meghan Markle's MasterChef Australia Appearance Details Revealed Amid Security Funding Debate
The Duchess of Sussex is set to return to Australia for Junior MasterChef, but political parties in Victoria have refused to fund her security.
MasterChef Australia's executive producer, Marty Benson, has shared the unconventional method used to secure Meghan Markle's appearance on the show earlier this year: a bold email. Benson revealed to The Age that he reached out to the Duchess of Sussex with a "press send and pray" approach at a time when her Netflix show, "With Love, Meghan," had been canceled and she was facing public criticism.
"Everyone was putting her down, the whole world was putting her down, and I was the guy that went, 'Wait a minute, I think she would be a great guest on our show'," Benson stated, adding that he believed the issues with her Netflix series were due to the producers, not Markle herself.
Meghan is slated to return to Australia next year to film "Junior MasterChef Australia," where she is expected to take on a key hosting role alongside judge Poh Ling Yeow. Sources suggest she may be accompanied by Prince Harry and their children during her weeks-long stay in Melbourne for filming.
However, her upcoming visit has become a point of political contention in Victoria, with both major political parties rejecting the idea of using taxpayer funds for her personal security. A spokesperson for the Victorian Labor government confirmed they would not cover the costs if re-elected, and Opposition Leader Jess Wilson declared, "Not a single cent of Victorian taxpayer money should be spent on this."
This stance echoes discussions from the Sussexes' earlier visit to Australia in April, which involved public appearances that raised questions about the distinction between taxpayer-funded personal security and the police resources needed for public safety.
Despite the security funding debate, Meghan expressed enthusiasm for her return to the MasterChef franchise. "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 said in a statement. "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."