“The Suss*xes?” Oprah’s Playful Tease Sparks New Buzz About Meghan and Harry’s Family Identity
When a name carries centuries of royal weight, adopting it as your family surname is bound to raise some eyebrows—and a few chuckles, even from Oprah.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, now far removed from palace life, have quietly embraced “Suss*x” as their family surname—a move meant to signal unity and identity outside the royal bubble.
But during a recent podcast appearance, longtime friend Oprah Winfrey couldn’t resist poking fun at the choice, leading to new questions about what this name really represents.
Appearing on Let’s Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa, Oprah shared a light-hearted story involving Harry, Meghan, and an unexpected Easter dilemma—ducklings.
“I got a call from Harry the day before Easter,” Oprah recalled. “He said, ‘Sorry to bother you, O, but we’ve got ducklings and nowhere to put them—can we release them in your pond?’”
With her friend Gayle King’s grandkids visiting at the time, Oprah had wanted to make the moment special—but Harry was in a rush. “He was like, ‘We’re coming now!’” she laughed.
The charming anecdote set the tone for an even more playful moment, when Ripa asked how Oprah would handle receiving baby chicks as a gift. Oprah chuckled and replied, “Oh, I’d just send them over to the Suss*xes”—elongating the name with a dramatic flair, and adding a few extra “s” and “x” sounds for comedic effect.
While Oprah’s tone was light and affectionate, her exaggerated pronunciation gave way to a larger conversation online: why are Harry and Meghan leaning into “Suss*x” as their last name—and is it merely symbolic, or part of a strategic shift in branding?
The couple’s decision wasn’t made on a whim. In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Meghan explained that the title granted to them by Queen Elizabeth II at their wedding became more meaningful over time—especially after the birth of their children, Archie and Lilibet.
“It became our shared name. Something for the four of us,” Meghan said. “It felt right, like a piece of home we all belong to.”
The duchess even corrected actress Mindy Kaling in her Netflix docuseries As Ever, Meghan, when Kaling casually referred to her as “Markle.” Meghan smiled and responded, “I’m Suss*x now. Once you become a parent, it shifts—you want that collective identity.”
Still, the name shift has drawn a mix of reactions—from heartfelt support to gentle teasing. Some critics see it as an attempt to maintain royal prestige while living outside the institution. Others, like Oprah, simply find the moment ripe for a bit of humor.
But to Meghan and Harry, the surname appears to symbolize much more than just heritage. It’s a reflection of their journey from royal duty to personal independence, and a declaration of unity as a modern, self-defining family.
Conclusion:
Whether met with snark or support, Meghan and Harry’s embrace of the surname “Suss*x” marks another step in their effort to define life on their own terms. Oprah’s tongue-in-cheek tease may have drawn laughs, but it also brought renewed attention to a deeply personal choice—one tied to love, legacy, and the power of shared identity. For the former royals carving out a new life far from Buckingham Palace, “Suss*x” isn’t just a title anymore—it’s their family name, their brand, and their bond.