Meghan Markle on her Netflix show With Love, Meghan, left, and as a guest judge on Australia’s MasterChef

Could it be the whiff of desperation? Or is it the sweet aroma of an incredibly successful publicity stunt?

In reality, the odour is probably a mash-up of both.

Some may argue that Meghan Markle’s decision to appear on Network Ten’s stale cooking show MasterChef is a stark indicator of how far her star has fallen.

In 2020, the former actor and her husband, Prince Harry, banked a reported $US100m in a deal with Netflix to produce an array of content – documentaries, films, children’s programs, plus the duchess’ lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan.

Great coin if you can get it.

Now that the Netflix money tap has pretty much been turned off (although there is talk of irregular “seasonal specials” of With Love, Meghan), there is presumably a significant shortfall in the family finances.

So what’s left but to lean holus-bolus into Meghan Inc, and capitalise on brand exposure wherever it presents itself, even if that involves an Australian cooking show well past its prime?

One might rightfully wonder what Queen Elizabeth II would have thought of Meghan’s decision to “plate up” on MasterChef Australia.

Others might put forward the case that Markle – despite her lofty status – has a keen grasp of what ordinary folk like to consume.

Any publicity is good publicity in the world of celebrity. Brand recognition is half the battle, and Markle is in the business of selling stuff. The MasterChef episode that will feature Markle casting judgment upon a soggy souffle or perhaps a kangaroo larb is guaranteed to be a ratings bonanza.

It will also be screened in 180 territories across the globe.

For the record, Meghan was not paid a penny to appear on MasterChef.

And none of the duchess’s products featured in the filming of the episode.

As well, it was the program’s producers who approached Meghan to appear on the show, not the other way around.

It’s also worth noting that other commercial media outlets approached Markle to appear on their networks and platforms but she opted to go with MasterChef.

Media analyst Peter Cox said Markle’s appearance on the reality cooking show was a coup for Network Ten.

“Having Meghan on the show will give Ten a ratings sugar hit. They will be able to milk it for all its worth,” he told The Australian.

“Ten would be banking on the fact that Meghan attracts attention. That translates to more eyeballs on the program, and more advertising dollars for Ten.”

While it’s hard to be anything other than cynical about the motivation behind the publicity stunt – it unashamedly looks, smells and tastes like the Marketing of Markle – it’s also likely that the duchess isn’t bothered by any MasterChef-related criticism that comes her way.

Love her or loathe her, it will be hard to ignore the media promotion of Markle’s MasterChef when the episode in question draws near.

Desperate? Maybe.

Smart? Probably.