The Duchess of Sussex made a light‑hearted cameo on MasterChef Australia during the programme’s 18th season, revealing that Prince Harry phoned in during the judging stage and prompting an affectionate reaction from Meghan.
Surprise call during judging
Producers handed Meghan the phone while contestants and judges were assessing dishes prepared to be "fit for a duchess". She used the moment to introduce the duke to those present and to show him the plates under consideration. The exchange included a casual greeting from Harry to the assembled group.
"He's a charmer, isn't he?"
Meghan praised one contestant, Aaron Kher, for his dish while joking that it contained "too much" spice for Harry. She also described the couple’s tastes in food, saying her husband favours "meat, potatoes and cream sauce" while she prefers grilled meats, fish and citrus.
Family, food and their Australian visit
The episode was filmed during the Sussexes’ week‑long trip to Australia in April, during which they undertook a mix of charitable and commercial engagements across Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney. Meghan spoke about cooking for her family, noting that their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are "great eaters" and enjoy Brussels sprouts. She described family meals and gardening as opportunities for the household to come together.
She reflected on the couple’s connection to Australia, saying the visit was “sentimental” and recalling that they were there nearly eight years earlier when they announced Meghan’s first pregnancy.
Trip highlights
The Sussexes combined public duties with community engagements during the visit. The source notes they met with a range of groups and individuals, including mental health charities and Invictus veterans, and took part in events recognising survivors and emergency service personnel.
- Filming: MasterChef Australia, season 18, guest judge appearance by Meghan
- Locations visited during the trip: Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney
- Engagements included meetings with mental health charities, Invictus veterans and survivors and emergency service personnel
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Programme | MasterChef Australia, season 18 |
| Notable moment | Prince Harry made a surprise video call during judging |
| Locations on trip | Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney |
While the appearance provided a moment of levity on a prime‑time cooking show, it also reinforced the couple’s continuing public profile and their preference for blending family life with public engagements. Meghan emphasised the importance of shared meals for family connection and spoke about involving their children in garden and kitchen activities.
The new season of MasterChef Australia was previously billed by the Sussexes as showcasing some of the "most impressive amateur cooks the competition has ever seen."
