Meghan Markle says she has changed her famous last name

In a move that has sparked plenty of discussion, the Duchess of Sussex is now using “Sussex” as her last name, aligning herself with Prince Harry and their children, Archie and Lilibet.

A new name

Meghan Markle’s Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, has drawn attention not only for its lifestyle content but also for reigniting debate around royal names and personal branding. During the show, the Duchess revealed that “Sussex” is now her surname, a choice that has prompted questions about royal tradition and protocol.

The moment came when Meghan corrected Mindy Kaling, who referred to her by her maiden name. “It’s so funny you keep saying Markle,” Meghan said.

“You know it’s Sussex now. You have kids and you go, I share my name with my children. I didn’t know how meaningful it would be to me, but it just means so much to go, this is our family name. Our little family now.”

Meghan echoed this sentiment in a recent interview with People. She and Harry were given the titles Duke and Duchess of Sussex by Queen Elizabeth II upon their marriage, and according to the Royal Family’s official website, their children are titled Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet of Sussex.

“It’s our shared name as a family, and I guess I hadn’t recognized how meaningful that would be to me until we had children,” Meghan explained. “I love that that is something that Archie, Lili, H, and I all have together. It means a lot to me.”

She also described the Sussex name as “a part of our love story.”

So far, Meghan appears to be using “Sussex” mainly in informal or media settings. Alongside her exchange with Mindy Kaling, the name came up again on The Drew Barrymore Show. When Meghan appeared on the program on March 6, Barrymore introduced her as “Meghan Sussex.”

“This is the Fast Five with Meghan Sussex,” Barrymore said as the segment began.

Why its raising eyebrows

Although Meghan is still formally the Duchess of Sussex, this marked the first public occasion where she was addressed as “Meghan Sussex.” The choice has drawn criticism from some royal watchers, particularly those who argue she has limited personal ties to the English county. Others insist her legal surname should be “Mountbatten-Windsor.”

One royal fan commented, “Her name is NOT Meghan Sussex. Her name is technically Rachel Mountbatten-Windsor. Sussex is a county in England & part of a courtesy title – NOT her last name.”

Another added, “So who criticizes a guest like that? And her last name is not Sussex. Wouldn’t it be Mountbatten-Windsor?”

A third wrote, “‘Duchess of Sussex’ is a courtesy title she holds only through her marriage. It is not her surname, and I’m quite sure she doesn’t have ‘Meghan Sussex’ on her California driver’s license. Legally, her last name should be Mountbatten-Windsor.”

Meghan’s father, Thomas Markle, also voiced his disappointment, saying her move away from the Markle name would have upset his late mother.

“My mum loved Meghan very much but she would be so disappointed to hear that Meghan no longer wants to use the name ‘Markle,’” he said. “My mother was proud to be a Markle. So am I.”

He also criticized Meghan’s appearance on the show, claiming she came across as inauthentic and overly focused on perfection. Meghan and her father have been estranged since 2018, following his absence from her wedding. While some sympathize with Thomas, others believe his frequent media commentary has contributed to the rift.

A challenge of royal conventions?

In practice, Meghan’s use of “Meghan Sussex” does not break royal rules. Many royals use their titles as surnames when needed. As Debrett’s explains, “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex can, and do, use ‘Sussex’ as their surname. This follows the tradition when Prince Harry used ‘Wales’ as his surname while serving in the army, reflecting his status as the son of the Prince of Wales. Now that he’s the Duke of Sussex, his wife and children are also entitled to use ‘Sussex’ as their surname.”

Despite this, media outlets continue to refer to her as Meghan Markle, as seen in recent coverage by People, and that is unlikely to change anytime soon.

Meghan’s decision to embrace “Sussex” as her last name has clearly struck a nerve. Supporters see it as a meaningful expression of family unity, while critics view it as unnecessary given her limited connection to the county. And, of course, the Mountbatten-Windsor debate ensures the conversation is far from over. What’s your take on it?