MasterChef Australia judge Poh Ling Yeoh was reportedly “upset” after inadvertently making the mistake of introducing Meghan Markle as a “royal” on the show.
The Duchess of Sussex will make a guest appearance on the reality show on Sunday after filming scenes during her trip to Dungeon with Prince Harry earlier this year.
It is understood Megan and her team were “very upset” after instructing MasterChef producers to avoid using the term “royalty”.
In the promo, which aired on the same day as filming, Yeow introduces the Duchess as a special guest.
“We used to have MasterChef royalty in the kitchen, but nothing like this,” Yeow said.
“Welcome from sunny California to MasterChef Australia… Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle!”
News.com.au previously reported that Meghan was “disappointed” by the performance, and now a source has told New Idea Yeow was “upset” by the mistake.
“It wasn’t about Meghan personally,” the source said. “Poe felt that she had been inadvertently dragged into an issue of royal protocol that she never intended to be involved in.”
Another source said Yeo wanted to personally apologize to Meghan but was advised against it.
“She was ready to reach out immediately,” says the insider. “But she was advised to leave it up to production.”
Meanwhile, another insider hinted that there were some moments between the MasterChef judge and the Duchess that won’t air.
“Poe is full of energy – she’s always joking and lightening the mood. She tried to bring the same spark to Meghan with some playful lines, but it didn’t work out as planned,” the source said.
The insider noted that these moments were not broadcast on camera and were excluded from the final edit.
It comes after a royal source close to the Sussexes reportedly said Meghan felt great “sadness” over her recent visit to the UK.
Harry had hoped that the Duchess and their children would join him for his visit, but the family instead opted for a brief reunion to coincide with their meeting with the monarch.
The Duke had hoped that the Duchess and their children would join him for the duration of his visit, but the family instead opted for a brief reunion to coincide with their meeting with the monarch.
A source familiar with the couple told People magazine that the duchess was very sad that she was unable to be with her husband while he completed official commitments as part of the one-year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham.