Meghan Markle claims she’s 'a Sussex now’ on Netflix show, Internet reminds her it's a title not surname

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Meghan Markle is making it clear that she no longer identifies with her maiden name but would rather be called 'a Sussex' - aligning more with her husband, Prince Harry, and their children, as reported by NY Post.

Meghan Markle sets the record straight

During an episode of her new Netflix lifestyle show, 'With Love, Meghan', the Duchess of Sussex gently corrected actress Mindy Kaling after she addressed her as “Meghan Markle.”

“It’s so funny that you keep saying ‘Meghan Markle,’” Markle told Kaling. “You know I’m Sussex now.”

What she meant by the assertion is not clear as it could be surmised that she wants to be known by her royal designation - Duchess of Sussex. However, many media reports interpreted it as changing her surname from Markle to Sussex.

Kaling, appearing as a celebrity guest on the show, had been discussing childhood memories and kids’ parties when she casually referred to Markle by her surname. Markle’s response offered insight into her deep connection to her new family identity.

Markle, 43, shares two children with Prince Harry, 40 Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3.

Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor and Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, were made Prince Archie of Sussex and Princess Lilibet of Sussex, following the death of Queen Elizabeth and the ascension of King Charles III, owing to royal rules which entitle the grandchildren of a sovereign to become prince or princesses of the realm.

“You have kids and you go, ‘No, I share my name with my children,'” Meghan explained. “I didn’t know how meaningful that would be to me, but it just means so much to go, this is our family name, our little family name.”

Kaling smiled and responded, “Now I know, and I love it.”

In a recent conversation with People, the Duchess of Sussex reflected on the importance of her title and surname. “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,” she explained. “I love that that is something that Archie, Lili, H and I all have together. It means a lot to me.”

Markle reflected on the significance of the Sussex name, calling it “a part of our love story.”

She added, “I think as the kids get older, they’re so excited about, ‘Oh my gosh, Mama and Papa, how did you meet?’ I think that will come with time as they get older, but for right now a huge part of our love story is that we share the name Sussex.”

On Archie’s birth certificate, Markle’s name initially appeared as “Rachel Meghan, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex.” However, it was later modified to exclude her given first and middle names, leaving only the title “Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex.”

After stepping down as senior working royals in 2020, Markle and Harry ceased using the “HRH” (His/Her Royal Highness) styling. Despite this, they continue to go by their titles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Meghan Markle sparks debate after declaring 'I'm Sussex now' in Netflix series

Meghan Markle’s recent remarks in her Netflix series with Mindy Kaling have sparked intense online debate, with critics taking issue with her insistence that is she now "a Sussex".

Many online users were quick to point out that Sussex is a title, not a last name.

One user wrote, “This is so incredibly stupid of her. Sussex isn't her surname, it's the name of a town/region that she and her ex royal husband were made duke and duchess of by gift of the late Queen. You don't go calling yourself by that as your last name. She's still and always will be MARKLE.”

A user wrote, "She’s clearly doing this to cling to her royal status. By rebranding them as “the Sussex family,” she’s trying to maintain a sense of royal identity, especially as she feels it slipping away. The reality is, the way these titles work, it only really makes sense within the UK or if people see you as representing the UK—something she and Harry no longer do. It’s not a surname, it’s just a practical way for royal children to be addressed at school. Harry and Meghan don’t need that. And does she even realize that Sussex is a county, not a family name? Why would Americans refer to them as an English county? It makes no sense."

The reaction continued, "What’s really going on here is that she knows Harry and the children will always be accepted as royal (though she’s fucked that up for the children in any meaningful way) by the British public, but she won’t. That’s the real fear driving this—she’s trying to secure her own place in the royal narrative before it fades completely."

Some critics accused Markle of using her royal title selectively. “I want to be royal. I don’t want to be royal. She wants it when it benefits her,” one person wrote. Others compared her to Catherine, Princess of Wales, with one user saying, “She’s so jealous of HRH Catherine.”

One comment read, “She has been known by her maiden name for years without a peep. Now that she has a show and merch to promote, she breaks the news her last name is Sussex. Sure it is.”

Another wrote, "God she is insufferable. It is NOT her surname and she spent years lying about how terrible the RF were then clings to the titles and the name Sussex for dear life because she knows she is nothing without them. If she had such a terrible in in the family, why use their name?"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online