MasterChef Australia judge Poh Lin Yeow has shared her insights on Meghan Markle’s recent appearance on the popular cooking show, dismissing any controversy surrounding the event. During an interview with Nathan, Nat and Shaun on their radio show, Yeow expressed her enjoyment of working with the Duchess, describing her as a “model citizen” who engaged thoroughly with the programme and its contestants.
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Yeow reflected positively on her time with Markle, stating, “We had such a lovely time with her. She was no fuss and hung out with us without retreating to her green room.” She also noted Markle’s enthusiasm for the cooking process, asserting that the Duchess displayed a genuine understanding of food, which impressed everyone involved.
Prior to the airing of Markle’s episode on July 26, there were reports suggesting tension regarding her introduction. Sources indicated that Markle and her team were disappointed that the term “royal” was utilised during the introduction, despite their request for it to be omitted. According to claims from News.com.au, Markle’s team was positioned outside the studio during the filming of this introduction, only to discover how she was presented when they saw the promo.
However, a representative for Markle later told PEOPLE that her experience on set was enjoyable and fulfilling. “Any reporting otherwise is false,” they emphasised, noting the positive rapport Markle developed with both judges and contestants during her appearance.
In the interview, Yeow revealed that she had “nothing to complain about” regarding her experience and expressed her surprise at the scale of the media attention surrounding the supposed controversy. “It’s ridiculous,” she commented, describing the situation as an “eye-opener” in terms of understanding the intense scrutiny Markle faces from the press on a daily basis.
The discussion around Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, has remained a prominent topic since they stepped back from their royal duties in 2020. Although they retain their titles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, they opted not to use the styles His/Her Royal Highness (HRH). Such decisions have led to ongoing debates about their titles and the expectations attached to them.
In a moment highlighting Markle’s engagement, Yeow recounted a particular statement from the Duchess where she expressed her desire to get to know the contestants on a personal level. “The Duchess was actually quite clear about wanting to get to know the contestants better,” Yeow said. “She said, ‘You know these guys, but I don’t, so I really would like to see some stories and food that’s going to show us their personalities.’”
Sofia Levin, another judge on the show, also highlighted the enthusiastic atmosphere during Markle’s guest appearance. “It was a very joyous atmosphere, very excited, lots of hairs standing on end,” she shared with 10 News, further corroborating Yeow’s positive account of the experience.
A source associated with the production reassured fans that any claims of discord between Markle and Yeow were inaccurate. There was no need for an apology or intervention from the show’s team during filming, dismissing reports of tension as unfounded.
Through her comments and the experiences shared by others involved, Yeow has conveyed a strong message about the positive environment surrounding Markle’s time on MasterChef Australia. As the media continues to focus on the Duchess, it’s clear that her cooking skills and approachable demeanour have left a lasting impression on those who worked with her, highlighting a different narrative to the typical tabloid portrayal often associated with royalty.