Meghan Markle named as surprise new MasterChef judge

The Duchess of Sussex, who married Prince Harry in 2018, made headlines across the world after she and her husband stepped down from their royal duties in January 2020.

They have been working in different fields with documentaries, podcasts and books all released in the years following.

Now it has been revealed that Ms Markle will make a guest appearance on MasterChef Australia, bringing royal star power to the long‑running cooking show.

READ MORE: Michelin-star chef lands TV role after leaving pub in Cotswolds

Producers have confirmed she will join the line‑up as a guest judge during the programme’s eighteenth series.

A statement on MasterChef’s Instagram page said: “We’re welcoming someone SUPER special into the MasterChef Kitchen.

“Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, makes a special guest appearance this season as she returns to Australia for the first time since 2018.

“Joining a star-studded lineup of Guest Judges and culinary icons, Meghan helps guide some of the most impressive home cooks the competition has ever seen.

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“This is the series of MasterChef you don’t want to miss.”

Cotswolds chef Rick Stein is also set to feature in the series, alongside the likes of Maggie Beer and Curtis Stone.

The 79-year-old cook was born in Churchill, Chipping Norton and spent his early years growing up on a farm in Oxfordshire.

Since leaving the county, his business empire has ballooned, with four having opened in Cornwall alone.

The new series will launch on 19 April on Network 10 and streaming service 10 Streaming in Australia.