Meghan Markle: Former actress and royal to be paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for one MasterChef episode

Meghan Markle is reported to be cashing in on her time Down Under, with the former actress and royal set to be paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for filming a single episode of MasterChef Australia.

Rumours swirled of Meghan’s appearance on the reality TV cooking show, which was filmed when she and husband Prince Harry visited Melbourne on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Duchess of Sussex’s publicist confirmed her one-episode stint as a guest judge alongside Poh Ling Yeow, Jean-Christophe Novelli, and Sofia Levin, which will be airing later in the year.

According to Sky News, insiders are reporting Meghan will be paid approximately $380,000 AUD for the single day of filming — a far cry from singer Katy Perry’s fee when she appeared on the show, which was just $100,000.

It’s not the only pay packet Meghan will be receiving Down Under: she’s also scheduled to appear at the Her Best Life retreat when she and Prince Harry return to Sydney later in the week, with tickets to the in-conversation event stamped at a maximum of $3,199.

It is also reported Prince Harry will receive a hefty $70,000 for his keynote speech at the InterEdge summit in Melbourne before the couple depart Victoria, in which he will be discussing “psychosocial safety and leadership”.

Channel 10’s announcement that Meghan will be guest judging an episode drew mixed reactions online when it was announced on Wednesday.

“I’ll give that particular episode a miss,” one comment said.

“They misread this one!” another said.

“Megs will do anything for a buck. I think she things the show’s called MasterCard not MasterChef,” another dryly said.

Others were more excited to see the Duchess appear on their screens.

“I can’t wait, I love Harry and Meghan,” one comment said.

“Love it,” another said.

Harry and Meghan are set to jet back to the US after visiting Sydney, in a whirlwind visit lasting until the end of the week.