Have you been watching Meghan Sussex’s new cooking show on Netflix? Not sure who I am talking about? That’s probably because you are not used to hearing her name like that. Meghan Sussex is, after all, Meghan Markle’s new name. That’s right: The Duchess of Sussex has officially changed her last name. She let show guest Mindy Kaling know recently during a casual conversation in her new show, With Love, Meghan.
Meghan Sussex: Meghan Markle’s New Name
This one’s for the married women out there: When you got married, did you take your partner’s last name? If not, but then you decided to have children, did you change your mind? Changing your last name is a big topic of discussion amongst married women and brides-to-be. Often one of the first questions a woman receives when she is engaged is Are you going to change your name? For many women, this is a difficult question. Many of us have built our careers using our maiden name, and changing our name feels like giving up a big piece of our identity – something we never ask of male partners. If kids are in the equation, this question becomes even more complicated. For famous women like Meghan Sussex, formerly known as Meghan Markle, this becomes an even bigger question. Recently, however, she let guest star Mindy Kaling, along with the rest of us, know that she had made her decision.
Family Name Significance
In a recent episode of “With Love, Meghan,” the Duchess of Sussex brought the topic up while cooking with actress and guest on the show Mindy Kaling.
“I don’t think anyone in the world knows that Meghan Markle has eaten Jack in the Box and loves it,” Kaling said light-heartedly to Meghan.
“It’s so funny, too, that you keep saying Meghan Markle, you know I’m Sussex now. You have kids and you go, no, I share my name with my children,” Meghan responded.
“Yes,” Kaling replied, slightly caught off-guard.
“And that feels so, I didn’t know how meaningful it would be to me. But it just means so much to go, this is our family name,” Meghan continued.
“Well, now I know. And I love it,” Kaling stated with a smile.
Both women are mothers, with Mindy having three young children and Meghan two. Mindy has evidently chosen to remain with the last name with which she has built her career. Meghan, however, chose to change hers so as to have their entire family under one name. Each woman did what they felt was right for them.
A Shared Legacy
Her show isn’t the only place where she has publicly shared that she now goes by Sussex instead of Markle. Drew Barrymore called her by her new name while featuring Meghan on her show, The Drew Barrymore Show. During her interview with Barrymore, Meghan mentioned that the name holds special significance for her and Prince Harry, serving as part of their love story and family identity.
“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 said. “I love that that is something that Archie, Lili, H and I all have together. It means a lot to me.” She explained.
Markle revealed that the Sussex name is cherished by her children, Archie and Lilibet, as well. While the royal children initially used the surname Mountbatten-Windsor, Markle and Prince Harry have chosen to emphasize the Sussex name as a symbol of their unity as a family.
Royal Traditions
The use of family names is a common tradition among the royals, with children often adopting titles derived from their parents until they receive their own royal designation. Markle and Prince Harry’s decision to embrace the Sussex name aligns with this longstanding custom within the royal family. For followers of the Royal Family, this is pretty big news. This comes despite reported ongoing tensions between the royal brothers, William and Harry.
Upholding Titles
Despite stepping down as senior royals in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were permitted to retain their titles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. For some, this was a rather controversial decision by the royal family. Royalist supporters have called for the title to be taken away. This decision, however, lies only with the royal family, previously the late Queen Elizabeth and now King Charles. While they are no longer addressed as his or her royal highness, they continue to use their titles for identification purposes and as a homage to their royal heritage.
Embracing the Sussex Legacy
Although the couple had not previously emphasized the Sussex surname, Meghan Markle’s recent statements have made it clear that they now identify themselves and their children as Sussexes. The name represents a shared legacy and symbolizes their commitment to their family and royal lineage. By embracing the name Meghan Sussex, the Duchess of Sussex is not only signaling a personal choice but also emphasizing the importance of family identity and tradition within the royal context. While it will certainly take time for the public to get used to it, she is well within her right to change her name just the same as any other woman is.
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