Meghan Markle's Next Career Move Revealed Amid Dad Thomas' Family Scandal

Meghan Markle is heading back to Australian television, with the Duchess of Sussex confirmed as a special guest on Junior MasterChef Australia in 2027.

Her career update comes amid her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., who is being investigated in the Philippines over allegations involving child sexual abuse material.

Meghan is all set to join chef and presenter Poh Ling Yeow when the children's cooking competition returns after a six-year break. The retired royal previously appeared as a guest judge on the adult version of the show in 2026.

Her return brings another television opportunity for Markle, which remains connected to her interest in cooking, following her Netflix lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan.

In her statement shared by Paramount, Meghan explained why she accepted the invitation to appear on the show.

"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.

The former Suits actress continued, "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. I can’t wait to see what they cook up!"

Meghan's earlier appearance also proved valuable for the program, as Paramount said the episode drew MasterChef Australia's largest Sunday audience since 2023.

Poh, who will continue judging the adult competition, also welcomed the reunion. In the broadcaster's announcement, she said, "I had a lovely time filming with Meghan earlier this year, and being reunited will be a real treat."

The new series will be filmed in Melbourne for a few weeks in 2027, but the broadcast giant hasn't revealed an exact production date yet.

While Meghan is preparing for her return to the cooking competition, the update also sheds light on what's happening with her father, Thomas Sr., who is being investigated in the Philippines over allegations that he possessed images and videos showing child sexual abuse.

According to The Sun, Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., reportedly found the material at their father’s former home and handed it over to the authorities.

A source told the publication, "Now maybe people will finally understand why she has had nothing to do with her father since 2018."

In a statement, Meghan said she first learned about allegations against her father in 2018, after British police shared a letter containing claims about him.

"In 2018, a letter was sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection. That letter was subsequently shared with me," she said. "It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father, and I was given assurances that these were being investigated."

However, the claims weren't made public during that time, but Meghan has now made her decision clear: she prefers keeping herself and her family away from her father.

"Although the breadth of what has now been uncovered is more sickening than one could ever imagine, my sincerest hope is that justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children," she continued in her statement.