Meghan Markle Slammed by Critics as She Finally Sets the Record Straight on How She Should Be Addressed
Meghan Markle's decision to let a 'MasterChef Australia' judge call her by her first name has critics pointing out a glaring irony.
Meghan Markle's appearance on the July 26 episode of MasterChef Australia has sparked criticism after commentators accused her of sending mixed signals about her royal title. In the episode, the Duchess of Sussex allowed fellow judge Poh Ling Yeow to address her by her first name when asked whether she preferred 'Duchess.' Critics pointed out that the show's promotional material had already introduced her by her royal title, arguing that she could not have it both ways.
During a conversation on Monday's Good Morning Britain episode, TV presenters Richard Madeley, Kate Garraway, Vanessa Feltz, and Terry Christian debated Markle's choices. As reported by the Daily Express, Garraway remarked, "She [Markle] served up more than just judging. She revealed her kids eat Brussels sprouts and she no longer wants to be called Duchess. It's certainly whipped up headlines all around the world, hasn't it?" Madeley chimed, "If she [Markle] doesn't want to be called Duchess, why did she say, 'Cook me a meal fit for a Duchess.' You can't have it both ways."
He added, "Meghan insisted that she did not want to be called Duchess when she appeared on the show, after reports that she was unhappy about claims that the tour with Harry was cashing in on their royal links." Feltz pointed out Markle's alleged double standards, reminding viewers of the incident when she famously corrected her friend Mindy Kaling on With Love, Meghan to call her 'Meghan Sussex' instead of 'Meghan Markle.'
Despite stepping down as a senior royal six years ago, she and Prince Harry retained their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles. Markle's choice to drop the use of Duchess, albeit only on the episode, comes after a promo posted on the show's Instagram showed Yeow introducing Markle by both her title and maiden name. "We've had MasterChef royalty in the kitchen before, but nothing like this. All the way from sunny California, please welcome to MasterChef Australia...the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle!"
Weighing in on the same, an insider had previously told News Australia that the Duchess of Sussex was allegedly upset when Yeow introduced her as "royalty in the kitchen." While the introduction was not incorrect, Markle had reportedly asked to avoid the word 'royal' to avoid fueling debate over her and Harry's current royal status during the Australia tour, particularly on commercial television.
