Meghan Markle is at the center of another controversy, and it seems she might not be making the highly anticipated return to the MasterChef universe.
Markle is the subject of an online petition that is demanding that she be removed from Junior MasterChef Australia, the petition coming a day after her position in the season was announced. The campaign has once again drawn attention to the Duchess of Sussex’s work on television, including her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan.
The petition titled “Remove Meghan Markle From Junior MasterChef Australia!” states that the children’s cooking competition should select a person whose public image matches the values that the organizer thinks the show should promote. It also raises concerns linked to allegations involving Markle’s estranged father.
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The petition was posted on Change.org following the announcement that Markle would be taking part in Junior MasterChef Australia in 2027. The person posting it refers to her position as “deeply troubling” and urges the producers to reconsider her involvement, on the grounds that the role should aim to have a positive influence on the young contestants.
As of writing this piece, the petition is “under review” as it is being reviewed by the platform’s moderation team.
In April 2026, the Duchess of Sussex already served as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia, and the Junior MasterChef series is due to be filmed in Melbourne between early and mid-2027. The petition has not confirmed any alteration to the casting decision, and at this stage the producers have not stated that Markle’s participation has been withdrawn.
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