Network 10 confirms Meghan will co-host Junior MasterChef Australia in 2027

Co-hosting role confirmed

Network 10 has confirmed that the Duchess of Sussex will co-host the 2027 season of Junior MasterChef Australia, the children's version of the cooking competition for contestants aged between nine and 13. She will work alongside Poh Ling Yeow, a MasterChef Australia judge who will also keep judging the adult series in 2027. Meghan first appeared on the adult show during a four-day visit to Australia with Prince Harry in April 2026, and Network 10 said that episode drew its largest Sunday audience since 2023. It is understood she was not paid for that appearance, and the broadcaster did not answer a question on whether she will be paid for the new role.

Announcing the role, Meghan said the children's format appealed to her as a parent.

“I love cooking with my own kids, so seeing what these young stars create in the kitchen is going to be a lot of fun.”

Yeow said in a statement that working with Meghan again would be a pleasure, and added that the judge was looking forward to meeting the young contestants.

Filming timing still unclear

Production will take place at Melbourne Showgrounds, but reports disagree on when filming will happen. LBC reported that filming would take place in early 2027 over several weeks, while the Telegraph said Meghan would begin filming in Melbourne after Christmas. News.com.au, as cited by The Independent, put filming in early to mid-2027 and reported that she would relocate to Australia for the duration. The Guardian said no production date had been set. A source told News.com.au that her husband and their children may visit, but nothing has been confirmed, and a spokesman for the Sussexes was approached for comment.

Allegations against her father

Thomas Markle Sr is being investigated by authorities in the Philippines after his son, Thomas Markle Jr, said he found a stash of child sexual abuse images at their father's former home there. Markle Jr told The Sun that he had reported the material to local police and the FBI. Markle Sr denies possessing the images and has called the accusations 'a bunch of lies' and 'sick', according to The Guardian. LBC and The Independent report that he has admitted paying for sex in the Philippines. The Philippine interior minister, Jonvic Remulla, said authorities wanted to be sure before releasing their findings and that forensics data would be complete within a week. Markle Sr has claimed the computers had not been in his possession since he left Mexico with his son in 2025.

Samantha Markle, Meghan's half-sister, has defended their father and told the Mail on Sunday:

“I believe this is a set-up.”

Contact and the Metropolitan Police review

LBC reported that Meghan ended contact with her father last year and sent him a final letter saying she knew of the allegations and that he would never meet her children. The BBC understands that she told him she and authorities knew he had abused young girls. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that in 2019 it passed a letter containing claims about alleged offending outside the United Kingdom to Meghan and Harry, but did not share the details with other law enforcement agencies. The force said it was reviewing how it handled the matter, including whether to refer it to the police watchdog. The Telegraph reported that Meghan was upset and frustrated by the handling, and that she had been assured the allegations were being investigated.

Earlier move and career background

The Sussexes moved back to the UK from California in August, after living in California for six years. Sources had earlier suggested the couple wanted a more international lifestyle, with Australia and Canada cited as possible destinations. Meghan's trademark was registered in Australia last year across more than a dozen product categories, including cookware and table linen. The Netflix cookery series she hosted ran for two seasons and a holiday special, but its audience response was weak.