The Duchess of Sussex divided opinion with her guest appearance on MasterChef Australia on Sunday night – but the episode proved a ratings winner, smashing viewing records
Meghan Markle’s appearance on MasterChef Australia has proved a huge ratings success, despite sparking debate among viewers over whether she belonged on the judging panel.
The Duchess of Sussex, 44, appeared as a guest judge on Sunday’s episode of the hit cooking competition, alongside regular judges Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin, and Jean-Christophe Novelli, where she challenged the remaining contestants to create a dish “fit for a Duchess”.
Filmed during Meghan and Prince Harry’s four-day visit to Australia in April, the episode saw the royal sharing her love of cooking while helping to judge the contestants’ creations.
“I don’t like to yell,” Meghan explained before approaching each station and individually telling the men they had a half hour left.
According to broadcaster Network 10, more than 1.5 million viewers tuned in, making it the biggest overnight Sunday audience for the programme since July 2023. It also became MasterChef Australia’s biggest-ever overnight streaming audience.
The episode attracted a national total TV audience of 1.22 million over seven days – a 16% increase on the equivalent episode last year. In Australia, total TV combines traditional broadcast viewing with streaming across multiple platforms.
Despite the impressive figures, Meghan’s appearance split opinion online, with some viewers questioning why she had been invited to judge when the role is typically reserved for acclaimed chefs.
One critic wrote: “It makes you feel a bit sorry for the contestants. They’ve gone on that show to learn from industry chefs, which Meghan is not. She’s a home cook, like the competitors are.”
Others, however, welcomed the Duchess to the kitchen, praising her warm personality and supportive approach. Many viewers said her calm energy offered a refreshing contrast to the high-pressure atmosphere usually seen on the show.
During the episode, Meghan opened up about her passion for food and the role cooking plays in her family life.
“Food and cooking to me is really a love language,” she told contestants. “I think it’s such a great way to connect. It’s something that can feel sentimental and meaningful and it’s how I show my nurturing and love for my friends, family, and my kids.”
The former Suits actress also revealed a few details about life at home in California with Prince Harry and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. While introducing the mystery box challenge, she pointed out Brussels sprouts among the ingredients, joking: “My kids eat Brussels sprouts.”
She also shared that she grows strawberries and mandarins at home, with contestants asked to choose a “hero ingredient” to create a dish inspired by family memories.
The challenge featured finalists Vinnie Gibaldi, Petro Papathomas, Casper Kenworthy and Aaron Kher, with Papathomas ultimately impressing the judges with his ambitious celeriac ice cream served alongside sautéed celeriac, pickled apples and hazelnut crumb.
“I can’t understand how this is so good,” Meghan said after tasting the dish, as the studio audience erupted into applause. His winning creation earned him immunity and secured the first place in the grand final.
Papathomas later praised the Duchess, telling Australia’s WHO magazine: “She was very kind and spoke very eloquently about food, which was lovely.”
The episode also featured an unexpected cameo from Prince Harry, who called Meghan on FaceTime while filming. Harry, who was carrying out engagements with veterans in Canberra, greeted his wife before she introduced him to the contestants.
“My husband’s here,” she told the surprised audience. “He’s a charmer, isn’t he?” she said after the phone call ended.
The appearance marks Meghan’s return to television almost a year after the release of the second season of her Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan, and judging by the record-breaking viewing figures, audiences were certainly curious to see her back on screen.
