Meghan Markle has made a bold move — she’s no longer going by Meghan Markle.
In an unexpected shift, the Duchess of Sussex has opted to adopt “Sussex” as her last name, following the lead of her husband, Prince Harry, and their children, Archie and Lilibet.
A New Chapter
Meghan’s latest Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, has sparked conversation—not only for its lifestyle content but also for reigniting debate over royal names and branding. During the show, the Duchess surprised many by revealing that she now uses “Sussex” as her surname. But does this step away from tradition challenge royal norms?
The conversation started when Meghan corrected guest Mindy Kaling, who referred to her as Meghan Markle. Laughing, Meghan said, “It’s so funny you keep saying Markle.” She added, “You know it’s Sussex now. When you have kids, you think, ‘I want to share the same name as my children.’ I didn’t realize how meaningful that would be, but it really is—this is our family name now.”
Meghan shared a similar message in an interview with People, explaining that the name “Sussex” holds deep significance for her family. She and Prince Harry were given the titles Duke and Duchess of Sussex by the late Queen Elizabeth II, and their children hold the titles Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet of Sussex.
“It’s our family’s shared name,” Meghan explained. “I hadn’t realized how important that would feel until we had kids. I love that Archie, Lili, H, and I all share it. It means a lot.”
She also described “Sussex” as being “part of our love story.”
So far, Meghan seems to use the surname “Sussex” informally. For example, during an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show on March 6, Drew introduced her as “Meghan Sussex.” Kicking off the segment, Barrymore said, “This is the Fast Five with Meghan Sussex.”
Why It’s Raising Eyebrows
Although she remains formally titled the Duchess of Sussex, this was the first time Meghan had been publicly addressed as “Meghan Sussex.” The change has sparked criticism, particularly from some royal enthusiasts who point out that her connection to Sussex is largely through her title. Critics argue her legal surname should be Mountbatten-Windsor.
One royal follower remarked, “Her name isn’t Meghan Sussex. Technically, it’s Rachel Mountbatten-Windsor. Sussex is just part of a courtesy title—not her last name.”
Another commented on her interaction with Kaling, saying, “Who corrects a guest like that? And Sussex isn’t her last name. Wouldn’t it be Mountbatten-Windsor?”
A third added, “‘Duchess of Sussex’ is a courtesy title from marriage. It’s not a surname. I doubt ‘Meghan Sussex’ is what’s listed on her driver’s license in California.”
Meghan’s father, Thomas Markle, has also voiced his disappointment. He criticized her for distancing herself from the Markle name, which he said would upset his late mother. “My mum loved Meghan very much, but she would be so disappointed to hear Meghan no longer wants to use the name ‘Markle,’” he said. “My mother was proud to be a Markle. So am I.”
Thomas also took issue with Meghan’s appearance on her show, suggesting she came across as inauthentic and overly polished. The two have been estranged since 2018 after Thomas missed her wedding. While some sympathize with him, others believe his frequent media interviews are why Meghan has kept her distance.
A Break From Royal Tradition?
Technically, there’s nothing wrong with Meghan using “Sussex” as a surname. It aligns with royal precedent. According to Debrett, “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex can, and do, use ‘Sussex’ as their surname.” It follows the same tradition as Prince Harry, who once used “Wales” as his surname while serving in the military because his father was the Prince of Wales at the time. Now, as the Duke of Sussex, Harry, Meghan, and their children are entitled to use “Sussex” in the same way.
Still, the media frequently uses Meghan’s maiden name, including in recent coverage by People magazine. So, for now, it seems “Meghan Markle” will continue to be the name most people recognize.
