Behind Meghan Markle’s Name Dilemma – How Royal Titles Work & Whether Her Approach Is Correct

Mar 18, 2025 by apost team

NEW: Join our Broadcast Channel for updates on Celebrities, Royals and uplifting news :-) It’s free => https://m.me/j/AbbJ9OINDzpPgn1z/

Fans have been getting access into the lives of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in Meghan Markle’s Netflix lifestyle show, “With Love, Meghan.” From her favorite meals and hobbies to her relationships with her famous friends who have been making cameos on the show, “With Love, Meghan” is revealing tidbits of Meghan’s private life. On the show, the former actress-turned-royal hosted actress and producer Mindy Kaling, who also happens to be one of her close friends. 

In the episode, Kaling and Meghan came together to plan an active garden party for children. While casually chatting, the two revealed that they were “email pen pals” and have been since Kaling made an appearance on Meghan’s “Archetypes” podcast in 2022. On both occasions, they opened up about their similar childhoods, with both of them admitting that they were latchkey kids. 

“I was a latchkey kid,” Meghan, 43, said, explaining that she “grew up with fast food and TV tray dinners, microwavable kids’ meals.”

She also said that she grew up on fast food and Jack In The Box. Kaling expressed shock at the admission, remarking:

“People wouldn’t believe that Meghan Markle ate at Jack in the Box."

Meghan’s response surprised viewers and social media users alike: 

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

Drew Barrymore took note of this when Meghan appeared in her talk show on Mar. 6, 2025, introducing her on by addressing her as “Meghan Sussex.”

Unsurprisingly, this ignited the curiosity of many as to what her name change means for her, Prince Harry and their children.

Meghan quickly explained her name change and why it was important to her husband, Prince Harry, and children, Archie and Lilibet. Explaining that this was a symbol of their solid and united family, Meghan said:

“You have kids and you go, ‘No, I share my name with my children,’” she added. “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.”

She also shared that the Sussex family name was unique to their small family as it is something that connects them to one another. 

“I love that that is something that Archie, Lili, H and I all have together. It means a lot to me,” she said.

Meghan and Prince Harry’s love story is one of the most talked about in modern royal history, and the Duchess said that the Sussex name was part of that love story. She expressed joy at the thought of someday explaining their love story and family name to their children.

“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.”

However, Meghan’s children Archie and Lilibet weren’t given the Sussex name at birth. Instead, they used the Mountbatten-Windsor last name and didn’t have titles like their cousins, Prince William’s children. Since their grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II’s, passing, they became Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet of Sussex. Like their cousins, they are also in the line of succession.

According to the official monarchy website, royals often don't have a last name, only the name of the house or dynasty to which they belong, or the the countries over which they and their families ruled. In modern times, sovereigns often take the name of their ‘House’ from their father. This shows that royal last names are certainly a lot more complicated than the usual! 

apost.com

What are your thoughts on this? Did you know about Meghan Markle’s name change from Markle to Sussex? Let us know what you think, and pass this on to other fans of the Sussexes!