Meghan Markle's MasterChef Australia appearance now has a broadcast date — July 26 on Channel 10 — and the challenge she set for contestants has been confirmed. She asked them to create a dish fit for a Duchess.
The Duchess of Sussex filmed the segment back in April when she and Prince Harry visited Australia on what many described as a pseudo-royal tour. She left Harry for the day and headed to the MasterChef set in Melbourne where she joined regular judges Poh Ling Yeow, Jean-Christophe Novelli, and Sofia Levin.
She has spoken about why she said yes — her love of food and her love of Australia. Both straightforward enough reasons. What complicated things slightly was what happened behind the scenes before the episode even aired.
Meghan was reportedly frustrated when producers described her as royalty in the promotional material for the episode. Her team had specifically requested the word not be used. Fellow judge Poh had said on camera that they had welcomed MasterChef royalty before but nobody quite like this — which is technically accurate given that through her marriage to Harry, Meghan does hold a royal title.
The irony of a Duchess asking contestants to cook a dish fit for a Duchess while simultaneously objecting to being called royalty was not lost on the people following the story.
The challenge itself used seasonal Australian ingredients — Brussels sprouts, celeriac, macadamia nuts, quince, lemons, and Australian honey. Notably not her own As Ever branded honey.
The episode airs July 26. The comments section will likely be busy.