Wednesday, October 28, 2026 - Meghan Markle is heading back to Australian television after a bold email helped secure her appearance on MasterChef Australia. Executive producer Marty Benson revealed that he took a chance on the Duchess of Sussex when she was facing criticism over her Netflix lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan.
His decision paid off when Meghan appeared as a guest judge on the cooking competition in April 2026, attracting significant audience attention. Now, she is preparing to return to the franchise through Junior MasterChef Australia, where she will help encourage and mentor young cooking talent alongside Australian chef Poh Ling Yeow.
However, Meghan’s upcoming return has triggered a separate political debate over security costs. Victoria’s Labor government and the Liberal-National opposition have both ruled out using state taxpayers’ money to fund her personal protection during her expected filming visit in 2027.
Opposition Leader Jess Wilson has stated that public money should not be spent on the Duchess’s security, while the government has also rejected funding the bill. The debate follows Harry and Meghan’s visit to Australia earlier this year, when questions arose about the distinction between personal protection and police resources needed to manage crowds and maintain public safety.
Despite the controversy, Meghan has expressed enthusiasm about returning to the cooking show, saying she enjoyed working with the team and looks forward to seeing what the young contestants create. Her role is expected to involve a few weeks of filming in Melbourne in early to mid-2027, although detailed security arrangements have not been publicly confirmed.
The latest developments place her television career and the debate over public spending in the spotlight at the same time. As preparations continue, attention will focus on the programme, the arrangements for her visit and how officials distinguish legitimate public-safety responsibilities from the cost of private security.
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