Meghan Markle’s appearance on MasterChef Australia has set new viewing records, drawing a significant audience. The Duchess of Sussex served as a guest judge on the show, offering guidance to contestants in creating a dish suitable for royalty.
Filmed during Harry and Meghan’s visit to Australia in April, the episode garnered over one million viewers despite mixed reactions to the Duchess’ involvement in a cooking show typically reserved for professional chefs.
The episode achieved a viewership milestone, attracting more than 1.5 million viewers, marking the highest Sunday audience since July 2023 and the largest overnight streaming audience ever for Network 10. Additionally, it led in the seven-day total viewing audience with 1.22 million national viewers, showing a 16% increase in total TV audience compared to the previous year’s equivalent episode.
While opinions were divided online over Meghan’s role as a judge, some viewers appreciated her calming presence and positive feedback in the normally high-pressure MasterChef environment. During the episode, Meghan expressed her passion for cooking, describing it as a meaningful way to connect and express love and care for others.
Behind-the-scenes footage captured Meghan’s interactions with fellow judges and contestants, showcasing her genuine enthusiasm for the show. She explained that her love for food and Australia motivated her to participate in MasterChef Australia, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to judge the contestants’ meals.
Despite differing views on Meghan’s participation, her episode on MasterChef Australia proved to be a significant success in terms of viewership and engagement.