Meghan Markle Drops Her Surname — Wants to Be Addressed by New Royal Name: "It Means So Much..."

Meghan Markle recently shared that she has adopted the surname 'Sussex'—a choice she made with her husband Prince Harry. The revelation came during the second episode of her new Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, when guest star Mindy Kaling casually referred to her by her maiden name. Markle immediately corrected her, explaining the change. Markle, who was given the title by late Queen Elizabeth II upon her wedding to Harry, the Duke of Sussex, admitted that she didn’t initially realize how significant the name was.

During the segment, Markle reminisced about her childhood, sharing that she was a latchkey kid who often relied on microwaved meals—including a steady diet of Jack in the Box tacos. In response, Kaling said, “I don’t think anyone in the world knows that Meghan Markle has eaten Jack in the Box.” Amused, Markle shared, “It’s so funny, too, that you keep calling me Meghan Markle. You know I’m Sussex now.” As reported by The Daily Beast, Markle subsequently explained that she hadn’t given much thought to her new last name—until she and Harry became parents.

As per E! News, she said, "You have kids, and you go, 'No, I should 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 name.'" Kaling, a mom of three, said, “Well, now I know—and I love it.” The awkward moment unfolded as Markle and Kaling made cucumber sandwiches for a children’s party.

Markle and Harry’s decision to hold onto their Sussex name, even after stepping back from royal duties, goes beyond formality. Markle has previously revealed that the name carries deep personal significance—it's a lasting symbol of their love story. As reported by People magazine, she said, “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.” Originally, Archie and Lilibet were referred to as Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor and Miss Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor. However, when their grandfather, King Charles III, took the throne in September 2022, they became prince and princess. By March 2023, the royal family's official website displayed their new names, Prince Archie of Sussex and Princess Lilibet of Sussex.

However, critics of Harry and Markle have long urged Charles to revoke their titles, especially after the couple’s highly publicized fallout with the royal family and their explosive allegations. Unlike in the past, Markle this time around has avoided discussing her strained relationship with Harry’s family in her new show. Instead, she focuses on sharing her passions—cooking, hosting, and decorating. Reflecting on this chapter of her life, she expressed how fulfilling it is, as a woman, mother, and wife, to rediscover parts of herself that had always been there but hadn’t received as much attention until now, as her children grow older.