Meghan Markle’s on-set request has reportedly left “MasterChef Australia” judge Poh Ling Yeow “upset.”
The beloved judge unintentionally introduced the Duchess of Sussex as “royalty” during her guest appearance, despite Markle and her team instructing producers not to use that word, per SkyNews.
“We’ve had MasterChef royalty in the kitchen before but no one like this,” Yeow said in a promotional clip for the episode. “All the way from sunny California, please welcome to MasterChef Australia … the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle!”
Meghan Markle’s request on “MasterChef Australia” left the show’s judge Poh Ling Yeow (pictured here) “upset.”
Instagram/pohlingyeow
Markle (pictured here in April) reportedly didn’t want the word “royalty” to be used during her appearance. Getty Images
The former actress was reportedly left “very frustrated” by Yeow’s remark, which in turn “upset” the judge.
“It wasn’t about Meghan personally,” the insider claimed. “Poh felt she had been unintentionally drawn into a royal protocol issue she never intended to be part of.”
A second source alleged that Yeow, 52, wanted to personally apologize to Markle, 44, but was dissuaded.
“She was willing to reach out immediately,” they shared. “But she was advised to leave it for production to handle.”
The “Suits” alum was “very frustrated” by Yeow’s remark, which left the judge “upset” at her mistake. masterchefaus/Instagram
An insider claimed that Yeow (pictured here in 2024), “It wasn’t about Meghan personally. Poh felt she had been unintentionally drawn into a royal protocol issue she never intended to be part of.” Getty Images for The Australian Ballet
Meanwhile, a third source claimed that there are moments from filming that won’t be aired due to Yeow and Markle’s personality differences.
“Poh is full of energy – she’s always joking and lifting the mood. She tried to bring that same spark with Meghan, cracking a few playful lines, but not all of it landed as intended,” the insider insisted.
The moments that didn’t work on camera were cut out in editing.
Yeow (pictured here in June) wanted to reach out to the Duchess of Sussex to apologize but was told not to. WireImage
“She was willing to reach out immediately,” they shared. “But she was advised to leave it for production to handle.” (Yeow pictured here with Allison Langdon, Robert Irwin, Julia Morris, Lisa Millar and Sam Pangin in June). Getty Images for TV WEEK
The “Suits” alum filmed the episode while she and Prince Harry were in Australia earlier this year.
The couple went down under in April for a series of public speaking engagements and philanthropic events.
At the time, the Duke of Sussex, 41, spoke about giving up his own role as a senior working royal while at the InterEdge Summit.
Markle (pictured here on her Netflix show) filmed the episode while in Australia earlier this year. meghan/Instagram
The “MasterChef Australia” episode featuring Yeow (pictured here in 2023) and Markle airs Sunday. FIFA via Getty Images
“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 explained.
Markle and Prince Harry — who tied the knot in 2018 — stepped away from their royal duties in 2020 and relocated to Montecito, California with their kids Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5.
Markle’s episode of “MasterChef Australia” airs Sunday, July 26 on Network 10 and 10 Play in Australia at 7:00 pm AEST.