Meghan Markle’s surprise appearance on MasterChef Australia has reportedly stirred up behind-the-scenes tension after one of the show’s most beloved judges accidentally used the one word the Duchess of Sussex allegedly did not want anywhere near her introduction.
According to Sky News, MasterChef Australia judge Poh Ling Yeow was left “upset” after she unintentionally referred to Meghan as “royalty” during a promotional moment for the episode.
The awkward moment reportedly came after Meghan and her team had instructed producers not to use the word “royalty” during her appearance.
“We’ve had MasterChef royalty in the kitchen before but no one like this,” Yeow said in the promo clip. “All the way from sunny California, please welcome to MasterChef Australia … the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle!”
The line may have sounded harmless to viewers, but behind the scenes, it allegedly caused immediate discomfort.
Meghan, 44, was reportedly “very frustrated” by the remark, while Yeow, 52, was said to be upset that she had accidentally stepped into a sensitive issue involving royal wording and protocol.
“It wasn’t about Meghan personally,” one insider claimed. “Poh felt she had been unintentionally drawn into a royal protocol issue she never intended to be part of.”
Another source alleged that Yeow wanted to personally apologize to the Duchess of Sussex after realizing what had happened, but she was reportedly advised not to contact Meghan directly.
“She was willing to reach out immediately,” the source said. “But she was advised to leave it for production to handle.”
The reported tension has added an unexpected layer of drama to Meghan’s guest spot on the hit cooking competition, which was filmed while she and Prince Harry were visiting Australia earlier this year.
A third source claimed there were also moments from filming that did not make it to air because of what insiders described as personality differences between Meghan and Yeow.
According to the source, Yeow brought her usual upbeat, playful energy to the set, but not every joke or lighthearted comment reportedly landed well with Meghan.
“Poh is full of energy — she’s always joking and lifting the mood,” the insider claimed. “She tried to bring that same spark with Meghan, cracking a few playful lines, but not all of it landed as intended.”
Those moments were reportedly removed during editing.
Meghan filmed the episode while she and Harry were in Australia in April for a series of public speaking engagements and philanthropic events. During the trip, Harry also spoke publicly about his decision to walk away from life as a senior working member of the royal family.
At the InterEdge Summit, the Duke of Sussex reflected on the pressure he felt inside the institution.
“I was like, ‘I don’t want this job. I don’t want this role — wherever this is headed, I don’t like it,’” Harry said.
Meghan and Harry stepped back from royal duties in 2020, two years after their 2018 wedding. The couple later moved to Montecito, California, where they are raising their two children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5.
Still, despite leaving their official royal roles behind, the couple’s titles and connection to the monarchy continue to follow them into nearly every public appearance.
That made the alleged “royalty” request on MasterChef Australia all the more striking, especially after Yeow’s apparently innocent introduction turned into an off-camera headache.
Yeow, a longtime fan favorite on the Australian cooking series, reportedly never intended to cause any trouble and was left distressed by the idea that she may have offended Meghan.
For viewers, the polished episode may look like a glamorous celebrity guest appearance. But behind the scenes, the Duchess of Sussex’s visit reportedly came with careful instructions, a rattled judge and at least one moment producers would rather leave on the cutting-room floor.
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