In a newly released trailer for her highly anticipated guest judging stint on MasterChef Australia, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has left fans buzzing with a rare personal revelation about her young children. The Duchess proudly boasts that Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet “eat Brussels sprouts,” turning heads as she challenges contestants to create dishes “fit for a Duchess” using seasonal ingredients – while urging them to “cook from the heart and keep a sense of humour.”
The promo, which dropped ahead of the episode’s air date of Sunday, 26 July at 7pm on Network 10, offers an intimate peek into Meghan’s approach to food and family. Standing amid a bounty of produce in the iconic MasterChef kitchen, she highlights Brussels sprouts among her chosen seasonal items and casually drops the parenting flex that has social media alight.
“My kids eat Brussels sprouts,” Meghan says with a smile, prompting impressed reactions from those around her. The moment underscores her well-documented passion for making vegetables appealing to little ones, something she has touched on in her Netflix series With Love, Meghan, where she emphasises colourful crudités platters and thoughtful presentation to encourage healthy eating.
Filmed during Meghan’s visit to Australia with Prince Harry in April 2026 – their first return to the country since the 2018 royal tour – the episode sees the Duchess join regular judges Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli. She sets a challenge focused on celebrating what’s in season while weaving in personal stories.
Contestants must hero one ingredient from a carefully selected list that includes carrots, Jerusalem artichokes, Brussels sprouts, celeriac, local Australian honey, macadamia nuts, quince, lemons, apples, mandarins and strawberries. The goal: create a dish that feels nostalgic and meaningful.
“These are all things that, for me, feel really nostalgic,” Meghan explains in the trailer and related promotional material. “I’d love it if there’s a connection that you can find when, as you’re cooking something, what is the story behind it?… What is something from your family or from a memory…something sentimental that we can also taste as we taste your dish.”
She also offers encouraging words to the stressed cooks: “There is a lot of pressure in this kitchen. I don’t like to cook that way. I like to cook in a really relaxed fashion. So, all I could say to the competitors was to just remember to have fun, to keep a sense of humour about it, and to cook from the heart.”
Food, she adds, is her love language. “Food and cooking to me is really a love language. 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.”
The appearance aligns perfectly with Meghan’s recent projects. Her Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan has showcased her home cooking, entertaining tips and garden-to-table ethos, while her lifestyle brand As Ever draws inspiration from thoughtful gifting, seasonal produce and domestic creativity. Official statements from Paramount Australia & New Zealand highlight her as “an entrepreneur, humanitarian and passionate home cook” who was drawn to the show by “my love of food and my love of Australia. It was an easy yes.”
“It’s such a great show. I’m just really honoured that I was asked to be able to be here with you and to be able to judge some of these meals,” she has said.
Behind the scenes, the filming day reportedly had its share of high-pressure moments typical of a major television production. Sources have claimed Meghan and her team preferred she not be referred to as “royalty” – a term used in some promotional introductions by judge Poh Ling Yeow that reportedly left the judge feeling upset after the fact. Producers are said to have stepped in to keep the focus on the food and the contestants’ stories.
Despite any awkwardness, the official line from the show remains glowing. Judges have described having Meghan in the kitchen as “a complete delight,” with the surprise entrance drawing cheers from contestants.
Season 18 of MasterChef Australia has already featured an impressive roster of guest judges and culinary icons, including Rick Stein, Curtis Stone, Maggie Beer, Robert Irwin, and Jimmy and Jane Barnes. As the competition enters its final stretch with a field of talented amateur cooks, Meghan’s episode is positioned as one of the most memorable of the year.
The Brussels sprouts revelation has struck a particular chord. While many parents struggle to get children to eat the polarising vegetable, Meghan’s casual claim paints a picture of a household where seasonal, nutritious food is the norm – consistent with her public emphasis on presentation, colour and joy in everyday meals.
Whether Archie and Lilibet truly polish off the little green orbs with enthusiasm remains a private family detail, but the Duchess’s willingness to share it in the trailer adds a warm, relatable layer to her high-profile cameo.
Viewers in Australia can tune in on Sunday, 26 July at 7pm on 10 to see the full challenge unfold – and discover which contestants manage to craft dishes that capture both seasonal flair and heartfelt stories worthy of a Duchess’s approval.
In the meantime, the trailer has already done its job: sparking conversations about parenting, produce, and the simple power of cooking with love.
