Meghan Markle has requested that she not be called “Duchess” as she made her debut appearance as a judge of MasterChef Australia on Sunday.
The Duchess of Sussex, 44, arrived onscreen for the first time today after a much-anticipated wait. The show aired at 7pm Australian time, 10am in the UK.
Meghan, who owns her lifestyle brand As Ever and is a passionate home cook, was introduced as a mystery judge, filling in for former MasterChef Australia winner and judge Andy Allen, who is on paternity leave.
The show’s beloved judge and season one runner-up, Poh Ling Yeow, told contestants she was very excited to welcome their mystery guest before Meghan was seen strutting onto the set in a mid-length black linen dress.
“Welcome. Do I call you Duchess?” Poh asked, to which Meghan gave her short answer. “Oh, call me Meghan. Absolutely, yeah.”
The moment follows the royal’s former “frustration” with the show’s producers describing her as “royalty” in promotional videos.
A source previously told the Daily Mail that Meghan’s team had “specifically” requested that any mention of her royal connection be omitted from the show.
Full circle moment
During the cameo, which was filmed in April, Prince Harry’s wife expressed her affection for Australia. She described her visit to the country as a “full circle” moment following a trip she and her husband took before the birth of their first child, Prince Archie, seven.
“Oh, we’re so excited. We love Australia. We had the most sentimental, amazing time. We were here almost eight years ago. We announced we were pregnant with Archie at the time. So, it’s full circle; here we are, but thrilled to be here with all of you and taste some really good food. I’ve heard you’ve been cooking up a storm this season,” she said.
Meghan asked contestants to make a dish “fit for a Duchess” using ingredients handpicked by the mother-of-two. She gave them honey, macadamia nuts, citrus, edible flowers and celeriac. Edible flowers are just one of the products Meghan sells on her online lifestyle website. They retail for $15 (£11.60).
Elsewhere in the show, she said both of her children enjoy Brussels sprouts, and told contestants to “keep a sense of humour”.She also acknowledged “there is a lot of pressure in this kitchen”.
© Getty ImagesMeghan described food and cooking as her “love language” on the show. “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.”
Harry and Meghan’s Australia trip
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited Australia in April earlier this year, eight years on from their first trip to the country.
They visited Sydney and Melbourne, with a particular focus on mental health an youth empowerment. The trip also included a visit to Melbourne Royal Children’s Hospital.
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