Meghan Markle has revealed she urges her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to “pick” fruit from their garden to eat for dessert, actively discouraging them from chocolate or shop-bought produce.
The Duchess of Sussex made her eagerly awaited appearance on MasterChef Australia on Sunday, stepping into the cooking show’s studio to audible gasps from contestants.
Meghan, 44, was filling in as a guest judge for Andy Allen, who was away on paternity leave.
The former Suits actress joined regular judges Jean-Christophe Novelli, Poh Ling Yeow and Sofia Levin for the episode, during which contestants were tasked with creating a dish “fit for a duchess” from ingredients she had personally selected.
As she unveiled the spread, she proudly disclosed her two children – Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five – both happily eat Brussels sprouts. Mrs Yeow’s response was immediate: “That’s impressive.”
Meghan also spoke at length about the healthy eating routines she fosters for Archie and Lilibet at their £11million Montecito estate.
“The kids are great eaters, we’re very lucky on that front,” the mother of two explained.
“The kids jump in a lot, especially with the garden. I think it’s such a nice luxury to be able to have so much space and things to cook.
If they say ‘Mama, can I have dessert?’, we say ‘If you can pick it, you can have it’.”
Ms Levin then jovially noted: “You can’t pick chocolate!”
Meghan agreed with her fellow judge, adding “you can pick a nice piece of fruit”.
The duchess has previously disclosed Archie and Lilibet occasionally sell homegrown produce at a local farmers’ market, an exercise she says helps them grasp “the value of things” despite their privileged upbringing.
Meghan seemed to contradict this later in the episode, however, when she revealed that the family “always have a nice, as my husband would say, pud”.
She also offered a candid glimpse into the Duke of Sussex’s culinary preferences, describing him as “a real meat and potatoes guy”.
Harry himself would star in the episode shortly after, when a producer approached Meghan with a mobile phone, informing her of an incoming call from the prince himself.
“My husband’s here,” the duchess announced, prompting cheers from the contestants. Harry opened with a jovial “G’Day! What’s going on? Have I interrupted something important here?”
Harry admired the studio’s chandeliers before signing off with a wave, telling Meghan he would leave her to enjoy the rest of the tasting. The studio broke into applause as the call ended.
“He’s a charmer, isn’t he?” the duchess remarked afterwards, beaming at the judges.
The reaction on social media was swift and polarised. Several viewers branded the FaceTime moment “scripted” and “cringe,” questioning whether the carefully choreographed exchange belonged on a cookery programme.
It is understood that the duchess, whose Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan recently secured a Daytime Emmy nomination, was not compensated for her appearance on the programme.
