Meghan told to ‘lean into' Duchess title as former friend says royal status is her 'brand'
Meghan told to ‘lean into' Duchess title as former friend says royal status is her 'brand'
Niti MajethiaSat, August 1, 2026 at 9:00 AM UTC
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Meghan Markle recently appeared on Masterchef Australia (Image: Channel 10)
Meghan Markle recently appeared on MasterChef Australia-and asked to be called simply "Meghan" instead of the Duchess of Sussex. Brand expert and Meghan's former friend, Nick Ede, however, believes the Duchess should claim her royal title rather than try to hide from it.
Meghan broke records with her appearance on the show, as the episode drew an impressive number of views. The Duchess of Sussex was a guest judge on the Australian cooking competition show, which aired Sunday, July 26, where she guided contestants to create a dish "fit for a Duchess."
Meghan joined MasterChef Australia judges Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli.
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During the episode, Meghan also spoke of her love of cooking, as she said to the contestants, "Food and cooking to me is really a love language."
She continued, "I think it's such a great way to connect. It's something that can feel sentimental and meaningful, and it's how I show my nurturing and love for my friends, family, and my kids."
Meghan Markle was on the show as a guest judge (Image: Channel 10)
In conversation with Cafe Casino, Ede reflected on Meghan asking to just be called by her first name on the show, adding that her royal title is an "unavoidable part of her public identity" and that she should "lean into it," especially on platforms like MasterChef, where her title adds "prestige" and credibility.
"I think she wants to be more relatable, but being a judge on any show always relies on your elevated expertise or prestige, so I think it's better to lean into it rather than distance," Ede said.
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"Meghan is a celebrity, and people want to feel they know more about the star on a show like this," the insider added. Prince Harry also briefly joined Meghan via FaceTime during the episode, creating one of its most discussed moments.
Meghan refused to be called a "Duchess" on the show (Image: Channel 10)
"Nothing is spontaneous in the world of constructed reality TV, so this will have been carefully orchestrated, and the audiences know this, but they love Harry, so to have him appear on the show will increase interest and ratings in a big way," Ede said, commending the FaceTime move.
It's no secret that Meghan has been subject to heavy public scrutiny-and her former friend further noted that there is "no way" to get the public to favor her at this point.
"I think, unfortunately, there is no way to change people's perception of her. It's best for her to get on with living her life fully and ignore the negativity," Ede noted.
The Duchess has tried to shield her kids from the spotlight by raising them in California and has often offered an intimate look into the family's daily life on Instagram. Meghan also candidly talked about her kids during her appearance on MasterChef, sharing that Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, "eat Brussels sprouts."
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
