Meghan Markle has officially confirmed a significant change—she no longer goes by her maiden name. During a candid conversation on her Netflix series With Love, Meghan, the former Suits actress made it clear that she now identifies as “Sussex,” reflecting her royal title rather than her birth name.
In an exchange with actress and comedian Mindy Kaling, Markle corrected her when she repeatedly referred to her as “Meghan Markle.” Laughing, she responded, “It’s so funny that you keep saying Meghan Markle. You know I’m Sussex now.” The statement took many by surprise, as fans had assumed she still used her maiden name, despite stepping back from royal duties.
Markle explained that her name change became especially meaningful after having children, stating, “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.’”
This revelation quickly sparked mixed reactions online. Some critics accused Markle of wanting to hold onto the prestige of her royal title while distancing herself from the monarchy. One user questioned, “What happened to the quiet life she wanted to enjoy?” Another commented, “She walked away from the honor of having that name, but now she wants to use it selectively?”
On the other hand, supporters defended Markle’s decision, with one fan stating, “They hate you, but they can’t stop talking about you,” and another adding, “The hate for Meghan Markle is ridiculous. You’ve no real reason to dislike her.”
Markle and Prince Harry, who married in 2018, have faced ongoing scrutiny since stepping back from royal duties in 2020. While they relinquished their senior royal roles, they retained their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles, which have remained a point of contention. Some critics believe they should be stripped of these honors, arguing that their continued use of the title while forging independent careers contradicts their initial decision to step away from the monarchy.
In a recent interview, Markle elaborated on why she and Harry chose to keep Sussex as their last name. She described how their children, Archie and Lilibet, are growing more curious about their family history, saying, “As the kids get older, they’re so excited about, ‘Oh my gosh, Mama and Papa, how did you meet?’” She continued, “I think that will come with time as they grow, but for now, a huge part of our love story is that we share the name Sussex.”
For Markle, this decision is deeply personal. “It means a lot to me,” she stated. However, whether the public will fully accept her transition from Meghan Markle to simply “Meghan, Duchess of Sussex” remains to be seen.