Explaining the Meghan Markle Last Name Debate

Meghan Markle’s latest Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, has sparked fresh discussions—not just about lifestyle tips, but about royal names and branding. A particular moment in the show, where Meghan corrects Mindy Kaling for calling her “Meghan Markle” instead of “Sussex,” has reignited the conversation about royal last names and their significance.

A lot of fans online have expressed their confusion with her statement, as they believe her surname wouldn't be "Sussex," but rather, her title is the "Duchess of Sussex"—not "Meghan Sussex." However, Meghan has doubled down on her comments, and L'OFFICIEL is here to clear the air and ease the confusion. 

Unlike common surnames, British royals operate under a unique naming system. Royals traditionally don’t have last names in the way the public does. Instead, their titles serve as their identifying names. For example, Prince William and Prince Harry were often referred to as William and Harry Wales, derived from their father’s title, the Prince of Wales. Similarly, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex adopted Sussex as their title upon marriage. Their children, Archie and Lilibet, officially use Mountbatten-Windsor, a surname designated for royal descendants without peerage titles.

To reinfore this information, the royal family explains on their website, “Members of the Royal Family can be known both by the name of the Royal house, and by a surname, which are not always the same. And often they do not use a surname at all." 

Meghan’s insistence on using “Sussex” rather than her birth name underscores the power of royal branding. Holding onto the Sussex name keeps her connected to the monarchy, which enhances her public persona and business ventures. Despite stepping down as a senior royal, Meghan's use of the title suggests that she recognizes the enduring influence it holds in media and public perception.