Meghan Markle’s Former Friend Says ‘There Is No Way to Change People’s Perception of Her’ Amid ‘MasterChef’ Set Drama
Meghan Markle‘s TV appearance on MasterChef Australia has got people talking. The former working royal filmed a guest spot on the TV show back in April when she and Prince Harry traveled to the country. After the episode aired on July 26, reports circulated that while on the set of the hit show, Meghan clashed with judge Poh Ling Yeow.
According to reports, the Duchess of Sussex was “frustrated” after Poh called her “royalty” during her introduction on the show. Meghan and her team insisted that she not be referred to as “royalty,” with one source saying it was “specifically” made clear when the promo was released that they did not want the word “royal” used.
This left some scratching their heads since Meghan and Harry never stopped using their titles after they left the royal family in 2020. Some have opined that the reason Meghan and her people didn’t want her described as such on the show may have to do with the fact that Australia is part of the British Commonwealth and the late Queen Elizabeth took away the Sussexes’ HRH styles when they stepped down.
Well, now someone who knows the duchess is explaining why she can’t turn the switch from royal to non-royal on and off whenever she pleases.
Nick Ede is a UK-based brand and culture expert and public relations specialist with over 20 years of experience in fashion and entertainment. He is a regular commentator on television and in the press. Alongside his media work, Ede runs a PR agency and is a dedicated charity campaigner, having raised significant funds and awareness for stroke charities through his initiative Style For Stroke. He was also once good friends with Meghan.
Speaking on behalf of Cafe Casino, Ede told Showbiz Cheat Sheet, “I think she’ll always be seen as a duchess, and no matter how she tries to distance herself from it, it’s part of her brand now. 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.
“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. Meghan is a celebrity, and people want to feel they know more about the star on a show like this.
Ede added, “MasterChef is all about the food so it’s only natural for this to come up. She’s sharing these details as that’s what she’s being paid to do. It has certainly made people interested in MasterChef Australia and its host and judges. But as Meghan is such a powerful force, her mere presence can create chaotic news rather than positive news.”
Ede also gave his take on the phone call with Prince Harry while Meghan was on set that was supposed to be a “surprise,” opining, “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.”
