Meghan Markle Joins ‘Junior MasterChef Australia’ as Co-Host — Reactions Pour In

While she isn’t joining the cast of The Gentlemen, Meghan Markle is set to make an appearance in the Junior MasterChef kitchen.

The Duchess of Sussex will serve as a “special guest” on Junior MasterChef Australia — Network Ten’s take on Banijay’s kids’ cooking competition — following her earlier cameo on MasterChef Australia this year.

Markle will share hosting duties with Poh Ling Yeow when the series returns to Ten, now under Skydance ownership, next year after being off the air for six years. The program pits young cooks against one another as they compete for the title.

“I had an incredible time with the whole team at MasterChef this past April, so when they asked me to come back and work with this young group of talent, it was an easy yes,” Markle said. “I love cooking with my own kids, so watching what these young stars put together in the kitchen is going to be so much fun. I can’t wait to see what they make.”

Markle previously fronted a lifestyle and cooking series for Netflix, With Love, Meghan, which debuted last year. Two seasons of the show were released in 2025, but with the end of the Sussexes’ Netflix deal, that series has concluded as well.

Yeow said the news of MasterChef Australia’s comeback will be “met with plenty of excitement,” adding that filming with Markle earlier in the year was a delight and that reuniting will be a treat. “I’m looking forward to meeting our pint-sized culinary adventurers — I’m expecting lots of tasty surprises and a bit of mischief, too,” she said.

The series is being produced by Endemol Shine Australia for Banijay Entertainment, with Banijay Rights handling international distribution.

Markle has also been in the headlines recently after allegations surfaced that her father, Thomas Markle, possessed child abuse images. In response, the Duchess issued a statement saying, “I am deeply distressed at the news that has come to light in the last 24 hours, and my thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed.”

She has not been in contact with her father since 2018, when she says she became aware of the allegations against him.

Separately, last week casting additions were announced for the third season of Netflix’s crime caper The Gentlemen. Although Markle had been frequently linked to a part, her name did not appear on the newly released cast list, and it now seems she will not be joining that ensemble.