Meghan Markle‘s appearance on Australia’s television program MasterChef has sparked an online controversy after she shared an account of her childhood that many say conflicts with previous remarks.
The Duchess of Sussex said on the cooking show that she grew up surrounded by home-cooked meals and fresh produce, but in her Netflix series, she previously described takeout and microwave dinners as a “normal” part of her childhood.
She later attended a special screening of her new documentary, Cookie Queens, where she revealed the piece of advice Prince Harry gave her that continues to help her through “really hard days.”
Meghan Markle is once again facing online scrutiny after giving what many perceived to be a conflicting account of her upbringing during the July 26 episode of MasterChef Australia.
During the show, the former Suits actress described a childhood centered around fresh Californian produce and home cooking, saying meals were often an expression of love.
“I grew up in California and so, as you know, we have incredible produce, so you just start to love farm-to-table at an early age,” she told the judges and contestants.
Meghan also praised her mother, Doria Ragland, calling her “an incredible cook,” before revealing she spent much of her childhood watching cooking shows.
She added, “Food and cooking are how I show my nurturing and love for my friends, family and my kids.”
3However, Meghan’s latest comments stood in contrast to remarks she made about a year earlier on With Love, Meghan, where she described a childhood filled with fast food and convenience meals.
“I was a latchkey kid,” she said. “I grew up with a lot of fast food and also a lot of TV-tray dinners.”
At the time, Meghan explained that her mother was a single working parent and said microwave meals were a “normal” part of life at home.
“I used to eat a lot of Pollo Loco, Taco Bell… Jack In The Box, because my mom loved their tacos,” she recalled.
Fans Split Over Meghan’s Story
The reactions to Meghan’s remarks have been largely critical, although some social media users argued there was no contradiction because both accounts could be true.
“Her story changes according to needs, and as long as it serves her narrative, it doesn’t matter to her. She thinks the public is stoooopid, I guess!” one X user wrote.
“This woman lies so much, she doesn’t know when she is telling the truth, if she ever does,” a second user said, while another added, “She said so many lies she can’t keep up anymore.”
Others defended the Duchess.
“There were absolutely NO CONFLICTING STATEMENTS by MEGHAN. HEAL YOUR ENVY,” one supporter wrote.
Another person added, “She lived with her mum, and then she lived with her dad. Enough said.”
Meghan Was ‘Very Frustrated’ With Her Introduction On The Show
3Meanwhile, reports suggested Meghan and her team were unhappy with how she was introduced on MasterChef Australia as a member of the British royal family.
“We’ve had MasterChef royalty in the kitchen before, but no one like this,” judge Poh Ling Yeow said. “All the way from sunny California, please welcome to MasterChef Australia, The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle!”
According to Australian outlet News.com.au, a source claimed Meghan’s team was “very frustrated” with the introduction after they had “specifically” asked producers not to mention the word “royal.”
“They were outside the doors when it was filmed, so didn’t know what had been said,” the source added.
However, another source disputed that account, telling Page Six there “was no frustration on Meghan’s side about anything that was said on set.”
Prince Harry’s Advice Helps Meghan Through Hard Days
3Meghan later attended a Los Angeles screening of her new documentary, Cookie Queens, on Tuesday, July 28, where she shared the advice from Prince Harry that helps her navigate difficult moments.
During a Q&A session, the Duchess said Harry, who served as a helicopter pilot in the British Army for 10 years, once reminded her to look beyond life’s challenges.
“I think so much of it, funny enough, I was thinking about something my husband told me ages ago, because we all go through experiences and life is full of surprises,” Meghan said, per PEOPLE.
“But you know, he was a helicopter pilot in the British Army for 10 years. And sometimes on really hard days, he said, ‘Hey, but my love, you know, even if there’s a storm happening above the storm, the sun’s always shining.’”
Meghan said the advice works by encouraging people to “zoom out” and keep life’s setbacks in perspective.
“So I think when you really zoom out and think, ‘My gosh, how many things have we gone through that have felt hard?’ And then you still get through them,” she continued. “Or how many goals do you think you’re not gonna hit? And then you hit them, and you supersede them.”
She concluded that it’s important to remember “that no matter what feels insurmountable, there’s just always that sun shining above it.”
