Celebrity News
Meghan Markle to Appear as Guest Judge on MasterChef Australia
Meghan Markle is to join the judging panel on MasterChef Australia for its 18th season. You can catch her on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at 7:00 PM on Network 10. This TV appearance is one of her high-profile four-day tours of Australia with Prince Harry, which includes several charitable engagements.
She’ll be joining the usual crew, Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin, and Jean-Christophe Novelli. When she walked out, judge Poh Ling Yeow introduced her by saying: “We’ve had MasterChef royalty in the kitchen before, but nothing like this… please welcome the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle!”
She was styled in a structured black Matteau long-sleeve silk shirt and a high-waisted Camilla and Marc “Caius” corset-waist midi skirt. For shoes, she stuck with the classics: black suede Manolo Blahnik ‘BB’ pumps.
The filming of this season’s episode will take place at the MasterChef studios in Melbourne.
Photo: Instagram
Meanwhile, this news has sparked mixed reactions on social media. While Network 10 is definitely looking at a massive ratings boost, some long-time fans have been skeptical on social media, wondering if she has the credentials to be a guest chef. Even with the backlash, the network confirmed the episode via Instagram to lock in that April premiere date.
The producers are calling her a “passionate foodie with global influence” who is there to mentor the contestants. This actually makes a lot of sense since this season is focusing more on mentorship and collaboration, which the Aussie version is known for.
Part of the visits includes a lunch service at McAuley Community Services for Women and a visit to the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum. It’s a smart move to link her charitable media and charitable engagement.
