Meghan Markle Faces Security Funding Setback in Australia as Junior MasterChef Return Is Confirmed

Meghan Markle’s upcoming return to Australian television has been overshadowed by a political dispute over who should pay for her security. Both major political parties in Victoria have ruled out using public money to fund protection for the Duchess of Sussex, who is expected to spend several weeks in Melbourne early next year.

The decision comes just a day after her return to television was announced, adding a fresh complication to the Sussexes’ plans for their Australian visit.

According to the Herald Sun, the Victorian Labor government and the opposition Coalition have both rejected the prospect of taxpayer-funded security for Meghan and Prince Harry.

A spokesperson for the government made its position clear on Tuesday, saying Labor would not cover the Duchess’s security costs if it won re-election in next month’s polls.

Opposition Leader Jess Wilson took an equally firm stance. She pledged that a Liberal and Nationals government under her leadership would not allocate any taxpayer money towards security for the couple.

“Not a single cent of Victorian taxpayer money should be spent on this,” Wilson said. “And under a Liberal and Nationals government I lead, it wouldn’t be.”

The comments leave little room for either major party to support publicly funded protection for the Sussexes, at least under the positions outlined ahead of the election.

Meghan Announces Her Return to Australian Television

The security debate follows the confirmation that Meghan will co-host a revived edition of Junior MasterChef Australia on Network Ten next year.

Paramount Australia announced the news on Tuesday, confirming that Meghan will join Australian chef and television presenter Poh Ling Yeow for the programme.

The Duchess has already appeared on MasterChef Australia, serving as a guest judge during the show’s 18th season. During her appearance, contestants were challenged to transform a staple ingredient into a dish described as “fit for a duchess”.

According to Paramount, Meghan’s guest appearance attracted the programme’s biggest Sunday audience since 2023.

Her upcoming role will see her return to the kitchen, this time working with a younger group of aspiring cooks.

Meghan Says Returning Was an Easy Decision

Meghan has spoken enthusiastically about reuniting with the MasterChef team, revealing that she had enjoyed her previous experience on the programme.

“I had an incredible time with the whole team at MasterChef this past April, so when they approached me to come back and work with this young group of talent, it was an easy yes,” she said in a statement.

She also explained that cooking with her own children was something she loved, making the opportunity to watch young contestants develop their culinary skills particularly appealing.

“I love cooking with my own kids, so seeing what these young stars create in the kitchen is going to be a lot of fun,” she added.

“I can’t wait to see what they cook up.”

Paramount Australia also highlighted the combination of Poh’s culinary knowledge and Meghan’s enthusiasm for cooking and encouraging young talent.

“With Poh’s culinary expertise and Meghan’s enthusiasm for cooking and nurturing young talent, Junior MasterChef Australia promises to serve up plenty of inspiration as the next generation of Australian cooks steps into the kitchen,” the company said.

Security Questions Cast a Shadow Over the Visit

Although Meghan’s television return has been confirmed, the dispute over security funding has introduced a separate political issue ahead of her expected stay in Melbourne.

Both Labor and the Coalition have publicly rejected the use of Victorian taxpayer money to cover the couple’s protection. Wilson’s comments were particularly explicit, ruling out public funding if her party takes office in November.

The positions come as Victoria approaches its next election, placing the question of security costs in the middle of a wider political debate.

For now, the television announcement and the security controversy remain two distinct developments surrounding the Sussexes’ planned Australian visit. Meghan is set to return to Network Ten as a co-host of Junior MasterChef Australia, while both major political parties in Victoria have made clear that they do not intend to fund her security with public money.