Meghan Markle Becomes Meghan Sussex: A Subtle Name Change Sparks Big Conversations
At first, it sounded like a simple slip of the tongue. On a talk show, a friend referred to her by her familiar name, and she corrected them—lightly, casually. But that small moment quickly ignited conversation across social media and royal-watching circles:
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is no longer using “Markle.” She now goes by Meghan Sussex, embracing a surname aligned with her husband, Prince Harry, and their two children, Archie and Lilibet.
The revelation came during her Netflix lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan, which has attracted attention not only for its content but also for reigniting debates about royal titles, identity, and personal branding. During an episode, Meghan gently corrected her friend 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. When you have kids, you start to feel how meaningful it is to share a name. This is our family name now. Our little family.”
Meghan later expanded on the sentiment in an interview with People, explaining that she hadn’t realized how emotionally important a shared surname would feel until she became a mother.
Officially, Meghan and Harry were given the titles Duke and Duchess of Sussex by Queen Elizabeth II when they married in 2018. Their children hold the titles Prince Archie of Sussex and Princess Lilibet of Sussex. But Meghan’s adoption of “Sussex” as a last name in informal and media contexts marks a subtle departure from how she’s been known publicly for decades.
“It’s our shared identity as a family,” Meghan said. “I love that it’s something Archie, Lili, H, and I all share. It feels deeply meaningful to me. It’s part of our love story.”
The first prominent public instance of the change came on The Drew Barrymore Show in early March, when Barrymore introduced her guest as “Meghan Sussex” during a segment.
Why It’s Raising Eyebrows
Not everyone has embraced the change. Critics have questioned whether “Sussex” can truly serve as a surname. Traditionally, the legal surname for descendants of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip is Mountbatten-Windsor. Some royal followers have expressed confusion online:
“Her name is not Meghan Sussex. It’s Rachel Mountbatten-Windsor. Sussex is a title, not a surname.”
“Why would she correct someone like that? Sussex isn’t her last name. Wouldn’t her driver’s license say Mountbatten-Windsor?”
“‘Duchess of Sussex’ is a courtesy title through marriage. It’s not her actual surname.”
Even Meghan’s father, Thomas Markle, publicly expressed disappointment, suggesting the decision disrespected the Markle family legacy.
“My mum loved Meghan very much,” he said. “She would be heartbroken to know Meghan doesn’t want to use the Markle name anymore. She was proud to be a Markle. So am I.”
Thomas also criticized Meghan’s Netflix show, claiming she appeared overly polished and inauthentic—a perspective consistent with the longstanding estrangement between father and daughter.
Is This Really Against Royal Tradition?
Etiquette experts say Meghan is not breaking any royal rules. According to Debrett’s, members of the royal family are allowed to use their titles as surnames when needed. For example, Prince Harry previously used “Wales” as his surname in the military, referencing his father’s title, Prince of Wales.
Now that Harry is Duke of Sussex, the family is entitled to use “Sussex” as a surname in informal or media contexts. While the public may continue to recognize her as Meghan Markle—especially in branding or historical references—using Meghan Sussex is not technically incorrect.
Conclusion
What might seem like a minor adjustment—dropping “Markle” in favor of “Sussex”—is actually a window into larger themes of identity, reinvention, and family unity. For Meghan, it appears to be about creating a shared sense of identity with her husband and children.
For critics, it raises questions about tradition, legal naming, and authenticity. Either way, the change underscores how even small personal choices can spark cultural debate when they intersect with royalty, media, and public perception. Meghan Sussex has officially arrived, and with it, yet another chapter in the ongoing conversation about what it means to navigate life inside and outside the royal spotlight.