Meghan Markle's impending appearance as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia has triggered a wave of criticism and threats to boycott the series. The Duchess of Sussex, 44, will be featured on the popular cooking competition's upcoming episode, set to air on July 26 on Australia's Channel 10. However, many viewers are upset that the network prominently uses her royal title in promotions, despite Markle and her husband Prince Harry having stepped back from senior royal duties in January 2020.
The controversy began when Channel 10 posted an Instagram photo of Markle on Tuesday, July 14, announcing the release date. The caption read: "The countdown is on! Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, joins the MasterChefAU kitchen as a guest judge, bringing her love of food, entertaining and seasonal produce to one of the competition's most memorable challenges." Almost immediately, the comment section filled with angry reactions. One user wrote: "Definitely won't be watching," while another said: "I love watching Master Chef, but won't be watching it with her." Others incorrectly claimed she had relinquished the title, though legally she and Harry retain their ducal titles as granted by the late Queen Elizabeth upon their marriage in May 2018. Still, the criticism reflects ongoing public sentiment against the couple since their move to California.
The backlash is not limited to the title usage. Many commenters expressed relief that the show does not air in the United States. "Thanks for reminding me not to watch," one user wrote. Another added: "Thanks for the heads up and making it easier to avoid." A particularly harsh comment labeled Markle as "so nauseating." The negative reaction mirrors a broader pattern of public scrutiny that the Duchess has faced since leaving royal life.
Background: Meghan Markle's Relationship with Reality TV
Markle, best known for her role as Rachel Zane on the legal drama Suits, has had a complicated history with reality and lifestyle television. In 2025, she launched her own cooking and lifestyle series on Netflix titled With Love, Meghan, which ran for two seasons before being canceled earlier this year. The show, which featured her preparing meals and hosting guests, was part of a broader partnership with Netflix under the couple's $100 million deal signed in 2020. However, the series did not achieve the expected success. An insider told Page Six in March 2026: "Netflix put millions behind this deal and I don't think they saw a return whatsoever. They just cut a loss." The same source claimed that "there are a lot of people who really did not enjoy working with Meghan on With Love" and that "there is no love lost" between Markle and the streaming giant.
Despite the cancellation, With Love, Meghan managed to earn a Daytime Emmy nomination in the Outstanding Lifestyle Program category, a sign of some industry recognition. The show was tied to Markle's As Ever lifestyle brand, which also lost its Netflix partnership. The brand had been in development for years, aiming to sell cookbooks, home goods, and food products, but never fully launched. The collapse of the deal has raised questions about Markle's commercial ventures in the U.S. and her ability to maintain a sustainable career outside of royal life.
MasterChef Australia's History with Celebrity Guests
MasterChef Australia has a long tradition of featuring celebrity guest judges, including international chefs, actors, and even royals. Previous guests have included Nigella Lawson, Gordon Ramsay, Heston Blumenthal, and former world leaders. The show is one of the most popular in Australia, often drawing millions of viewers per episode. Meghan's appearance was filmed in April 2026 during a tour Down Under, where she and Harry visited various charities and attended the Invictus Games Vancouver-Whistler 2025 warm-up events. Her participation in a cooking challenge aligns with her public image as a food and lifestyle enthusiast, which she has cultivated through her blog The Tig (now defunct) and her Netflix series.
However, the choice to use her full royal title in the promotion has proven divisive. While the couple has maintained their titles, they have agreed not to use them for commercial purposes under the terms of their 2020 agreement with the royal family. The so-called "Sandringham Summit" resulted in a statement that the couple would no longer use their HRH styles and would not represent the monarchy. But the titles themselves—Duke and Duchess of Sussex—were never formally revoked. Legal experts note that they can still use them in private or non-commercial contexts, but the line becomes blurred when appearing on a commercial television show.
Public Reaction and Royal Title Controversy
The public's reaction reflects a broader fatigue with the Sussexes' media presence. Since stepping back, Harry and Meghan have signed multi-million dollar deals with Netflix, Spotify (now defunct), and Penguin Random House for Harry's memoir Spare. They have also launched Archewell Foundation and engaged in various philanthropic projects. Yet, opinion polls show declining favorability ratings, especially in the UK and Australia. Many royal watchers believe the couple overexposes themselves while simultaneously complaining about media intrusion.
In the case of MasterChef Australia, the controversy may actually boost viewership—a phenomenon known as the Streisand effect. While some viewers threaten boycotts, others may tune in out of curiosity. Channel 10 has not responded to the backlash, but the episode is still scheduled to air as planned. The network likely calculated that Meghan's star power would outweigh the negative comments.
Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex continue their lives in Montecito, California, raising their two children, Archie and Lilibet. Harry has been focusing on mental health advocacy and environmental issues, while Meghan has been exploring new business opportunities. The As Ever brand, despite its setbacks, may still see a relaunch in some form. For now, all eyes are on the July 26 episode of MasterChef Australia, which could either be a ratings hit or a PR disaster.
Source: AOL.com News