Prince Harry FaceTimes Meghan Markle during MasterChef Australia as duchess calls him a ‘charmer’

Meghan, 44, was sampling the finalists’ creations when a producer approached with a mobile phone, informing her of an incoming call.

It turned out to be Prince Harry, 41, dialling in via FaceTime — a moment that left the studio visibly delighted.

“Hi, my love! My husband’s here!” an excited Meghan announced to those gathered in the studio, before turning the camera towards fellow judges Sofia Levin, Poh Ling Yeow and Jean-Christophe Novelli.

The duke greeted the Australian studio with a jovial “G’Day!” before quipping, “What’s going on? Have I interrupted something important here?”

Meghan showed him the contestants’ dishes via the phone camera, enthusing about a hot sauce she had tasted. “I wish you could try this,” she told him, before teasing: “I think it might be too much for you though.”

She singled out contestant Aaron Kher’s creation, praising its flavour while playfully suggesting the spice level would overwhelm her husband, who could be seen laughing on screen.

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Harry admired the studio’s chandeliers before signing off with a wave, telling Meghan he would leave her to enjoy the rest of the tasting. The studio broke into applause as the call ended.

“He’s a charmer, isn’t he?” the Duchess remarked afterwards, beaming at the judges.

The reaction on social media was swift and polarised. Several viewers branded the FaceTime moment “scripted” and “cringe,” questioning whether the carefully choreographed exchange belonged on a cookery programme.

It is understood that the Duchess, whose Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan recently secured a Daytime Emmy nomination, was not compensated for her appearance on the programme.

She had expressed enthusiasm about joining the show, declaring herself a “big fan” and telling the studio she was “so excited” to take part.

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During the episode, Meghan opened up about the contrasting culinary tastes within her household.

Harry’s British roots meant he gravitated towards “meat, potatoes, cream sauce,” she explained, while she preferred the lighter Californian approach of grilled fish, citrus and fresh herbs.

“He can handle a really good curry!” she added, noting the couple shared an appreciation for spice and frequently hosted barbecues with seasonal produce.

Meghan spoke warmly about involving her children in the kitchen and garden at their Montecito home.

“Family time, I think, is really key to connect through food, so as many meals as we can do together, we always do,” she said.

The family also regularly enjoys “pud” after dinner, she noted, borrowing her husband’s preferred term.

The episode was recorded during the Sussexes’ visit to Australia in April, when Meghan stepped away from the couple’s engagements across Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney to film her guest spot.

Competitors were tasked with crafting a “dish fit for a Duchess” from ingredients she had personally selected, including honey, macadamia nuts, citrus, edible flowers and celeriac.

Meghan encouraged the cooks to draw on personal memories and family traditions in their dishes, urging them to “cook from the heart” and maintain a relaxed approach despite the pressure.

“We love Australia,” the Duchess told the studio, reflecting on the couple’s previous visit nearly eight years ago when they announced her pregnancy with Archie. “It’s full circle.”