Meghan Markle to co-host Junior MasterChef Australia in 2027
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is set to return to Australian television in 2027 as a special guest on the reboot of Junior MasterChef Australia on Network 10.
- Headline: Meghan Markle to co-host Junior MasterChef Australia in 2027
- Dispatch Summary: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is set to return to Australian television in 2027 as a special guest on the reboot of Junior MasterChef Australia on Network 10.
- Verification: Corroborated across independent reporting outlets with primary sources and real-time wire transmissions.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, will return to Australian television in 2027 to co-host the reboot of Junior MasterChef Australia on Network 10. While some reports described her position as a co-host, Channel 10 and Paramount Australia and New Zealand stated she will join host and judge Poh Ling Yeow as a special guest to guide the young contestants when the cult show returns after six years off the air.
The high-profile television deal follows a successful guest-judging appearance on the main MasterChef Australia series in 2026, where the former actress dropped into Flemington's Centenary Hall during a four-day visit to Australia in April. During that episode, contestants were challenged to transform a staple ingredient into a dish "fit for a duchess." According to Paramount ANZ, the broadcast drew the programme's largest Sunday audience since 2023.
From a Royal Departure to a Culinary Return
The move marks a fresh chapter in Meghan's independent media and commercial career following her and Prince Harry's decision to step back from their roles as senior members of the British royal family in 2020 and settle in California. Before marrying Britain's Prince Harry in 2018, Meghan was best known for playing Rachel Zane in the legal drama Suits. Since relocating, she has pursued several television projects, including her Netflix series With Love, Meghan, which earned a Daytime Emmy nomination and ran for two seasons and a holiday special in 2025 featuring cooking, entertaining, and gardening segments. She also previously appeared as a guest judge on the US children's cooking program Chopped Junior in 2016.
What the Broadcasters and Hosts Say
Network 10 and production company Endemol Shine Australia have kept specific details about the broadcast schedule and contestants under wraps, and it remains unclear whether Meghan will be paid for her role on the programme. However, both incoming hosts have expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming season, which is expected to begin filming in 2027.
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.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, via statement
Poh Ling Yeow, who will work alongside Meghan 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,
Yeow said, adding that she expects plenty of delicious surprises and a little mischief, too.
Navigating Renewed Media Scrutiny
The announcement arrives as Meghan faces renewed media scrutiny over allegations against her father, Thomas Markle, involving child sexual abuse. Thomas Markle denies the allegations, describing them as “lies” intended to damage his reputation. Meghan reportedly ended contact with her father last year, adding a complex personal backdrop to her return to prime-time international television.
Network 10 is banking heavily on the star power of the Duchess and the established appeal of the franchise to revitalize a format that has been dormant since 2020. With filming set for 2027, the success of this collaboration will rest on whether the massive ratings spike from her 2026 guest spot can sustain an entire season.
