Meghan Markle says she has changed her famous last name
Meghan Markle has made a striking decision—she’s no longer using the surname Markle.
In an unexpected turn of events, the Duchess of Sussex has officially embraced "Sussex" as her last name, aligning herself with her husband, Prince Harry, and their children, Archie and Lilibet.
A New Identity
Meghan Markle’s latest Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, has been causing quite a stir—not only for its lifestyle insights but also for the way it has reignited conversations about royal names and identity. During an episode of the show, Meghan surprised viewers by revealing that she now goes by the last name "Sussex." But does this unconventional choice challenge long-standing royal traditions?
The topic arose when Meghan gently corrected actress and producer Mindy Kaling, who referred to her as Meghan Markle. Laughing, the Duchess remarked, “It’s amusing that you keep saying Markle.”
She then added, “You know, it’s Sussex now. Once you have children, you begin to realize how significant it is to share a name with them. I hadn’t fully grasped how much it would mean to me, but now it feels incredibly important—this is our family name, our little unit.”
A Sentimental Choice
Meghan conveyed similar feelings in a recent conversation with People magazine.
When she married Prince Harry, the late Queen Elizabeth II bestowed upon them the titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex. According to the official royal website, their children’s formal titles are Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet of Sussex.
Explaining her decision, Meghan said, “It’s a name that unites us as a family, and I hadn’t realized how deeply meaningful that would become until our children arrived. The fact that Archie, Lili, H, and I all share this bond is incredibly special to me.”
To Meghan, the Sussex name represents “a fundamental part of our love story.”
For now, it appears that Meghan is primarily using “Sussex” in informal and media settings. During a recent appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show to discuss her upcoming projects, Drew Barrymore introduced her by stating, “This is the Fast Five with Meghan Sussex.”
A Controversial Decision
Despite Meghan’s preference for her new last name, the choice has not been universally accepted. While many of her supporters admire her for asserting her family identity, some critics view the decision as problematic, questioning her connection to Sussex, the English county from which the title originates. Others argue that, technically, her last name should be “Mountbatten-Windsor.”
One skeptical royal follower commented, “Her name isn’t Meghan Sussex. Technically, she is Rachel Mountbatten-Windsor. Sussex is just a geographical designation tied to her courtesy title—it’s not a surname.”
Another expressed disbelief at Meghan’s on-air correction of Kaling, writing, “Who interrupts a guest like that? And her legal surname isn’t Sussex. Shouldn’t it be Mountbatten-Windsor?”
A third critique stated, “‘Duchess of Sussex’ is a formal title acquired through marriage. It doesn’t function as a surname, and I highly doubt ‘Meghan Sussex’ appears on her official documents, such as her California driver’s license.”
Family Tensions Resurface
Adding another layer of complexity, Meghan’s estranged father, Thomas Markle, also weighed in, expressing disappointment over her decision to move away from the Markle name. He believes his late mother would have disapproved of this shift.
“My mother was incredibly proud to be a Markle, and she adored Meghan,” he lamented. “She would be heartbroken to hear that Meghan no longer acknowledges our name. It’s disheartening for me as well.”
Thomas also criticized Meghan’s portrayal in the media, arguing that she comes across as overly polished and insincere. The ongoing rift between Meghan and her father dates back to 2018, when he missed her wedding due to health issues and personal controversies. While some sympathize with Thomas, others believe his frequent public statements may be one of the reasons Meghan has kept her distance.
A Break from Royal Norms?
There is, however, precedent for royals using their titles as surnames.
According to etiquette guide Debrett’s, “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are entitled to use ‘Sussex’ as their family name. This aligns with tradition, just as Prince Harry was known as ‘Harry Wales’ during his military service, a reference to his father’s title, Prince of Wales. Now, as the Duke of Sussex, it is logical for his wife and children to adopt ‘Sussex’ as their last name.”
Despite Meghan’s preference for the new surname, media outlets continue to refer to her as Meghan Markle, as evidenced by People magazine’s recent feature. It seems likely that the Markle name will remain in use for the foreseeable future.
Ultimately, Meghan’s decision to be known as “Meghan Sussex” has sparked debate. While some see it as a natural evolution of her family identity, others feel it lacks historical or legal legitimacy. The ongoing debate over whether she should be using “Mountbatten-Windsor” instead only adds to the discussion.
What are your thoughts on this latest royal name shake-up? Is Meghan redefining tradition or overstepping royal etiquette?
