Meghan Markle Hit With Fresh Backlash As Australians Turn Against Her Junior MasterChef Australia Role

Meghan Markle’s latest television opportunity was supposed to be a major win. Instead, it has sparked an unexpected backlash in Australia, with critics questioning why the Duchess of Sussex was chosen over a homegrown chef — and even launching a petition demanding her removal from the programme.

The 45-year-old Duchess is set to co-host Junior MasterChef Australia, spending several weeks in Melbourne for filming in early-to-mid 2027. But the announcement has triggered a wave of criticism, raising fresh questions about Meghan’s public appeal and whether producers have misjudged the reaction to her involvement.

Speaking about the controversy, News24 presenter Samara Weaving noted that many Australians are questioning why the programme’s producers selected Meghan rather than giving an Australian chef the opportunity.

‘People Don’t Want Her’: Petition Adds Fuel To The Backlash

The criticism has extended beyond social media complaints. A petition calling for Meghan to be removed from the show has emerged, putting the Duchess’s new television role under an uncomfortable spotlight before filming has even begun.

Royal commentator Hilary Fordwich believes the reaction reflects a broader decline in Meghan’s popularity, not just in Australia but also in the UK.

She pointed to YouGov’s latest Royal Family favourability poll, in which Meghan ranked second from bottom, sitting just above Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

Discussing the petition and the poll results, Hilary suggested that public frustration surrounding Meghan is closely connected to how people perceive her relationship with the Royal Family and her treatment of Prince Harry.

“Decent people don’t like to see anybody throw their family under the proverbial royal bus,” she said.

Hilary continued: “People have seen the influence she had on the once-highly popular Prince Harry, people are disgusted with that.”

The ‘Hypocrisy’ Accusations Behind The Growing Criticism

For Hilary, however, the issue goes beyond the royal family drama. She argued that questions about authenticity have become central to the public’s perception of Meghan.

“There is a line for most people and that is authenticity,” she explained.

The commentator also accused the Duchess of contradicting her own public messaging, particularly when it comes to protecting children from the effects of social media.

“They’ve seen her being a hypocrite. They’ve seen her want to speak out against social media influencing children and being damaging to children, and then monetising her own children.”

Hilary added that she believes this perceived contradiction is one of the reasons Australians are signing petitions against Meghan’s involvement.

“I think that’s what it is. People dislike that and that’s why you’re seeing these petitions signed. They don’t want her.”

Australian Presenter Questions Whether Meghan Is Worth The Money

Samara Weaving echoed the concerns, arguing that the opportunity should have gone to an Australian culinary personality.

“I think an Australian chef should receive that platform,” she said.

She also questioned whether hiring Meghan was a commercially sensible decision, suggesting that producers should consider the Duchess’s popularity ratings before committing to what could be a substantial payment.

“Any smart producer would look at those popularity ratings and say this probably isn’t worth the massive amount of money that they’re going to have to pay Meghan to appear on the show,” Samara remarked.

Her comments have added another dimension to the controversy: beyond the criticism of Meghan herself, there is now a debate about whether an international celebrity should receive a platform that could have gone to Australian talent.

Meghan Previously Described Her Return As An ‘Easy Yes’

Despite the backlash, Meghan has made it clear that she is enthusiastic about returning to the MasterChef Australia kitchen.

Earlier this year, she appeared as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia. The experience apparently left a positive impression, making the invitation to join the junior spin-off an easy decision.

“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,” the Duchess said in a statement.

She also spoke warmly about the opportunity to work alongside young contestants.

“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!”

Fellow MasterChef Australia judge Poh Ling Yeow, who will also appear on the programme, welcomed the reunion.

“I had a lovely time filming with Meghan earlier this year, and being reunited will be a real treat. I can’t wait to meet our pint-sized culinary adventurers,” she said.

With filming expected to take place in Melbourne in early-to-mid 2027, Meghan’s return to Australian television is already attracting considerable attention. Whether the backlash will affect the programme remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: her new role has sparked a debate that goes well beyond the kitchen.