Meghan Markle Officially Changes Her Last Name to ‘Sussex’ in a Bold Move
The Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle has formally changed her last name in an unexpected but important personal choice. Now going by “Meghan Sussex,”
the former actress and member of the royal family identifies with her husband, Prince Harry, and their two kids, Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie.
The disclosure was made by Meghan Markle on her recently launched Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, a wellness and lifestyle program that has received a lot of attention. In one episode, Meghan gently corrected actress and writer Mindy Kaling when she called her “Markle.”
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Meghan smiled as she said, “It’s hilarious that you keep saying Markle.” It’s Sussex now, you know. You say, “I share my name with my children,” after having children. It simply means so lot to say, “This is our family name,” even though I had no idea how significant it would be to me. Now, our small family.
Discussions concerning royal customs, identity, and the changing nature of Harry and Meghan’s relationship with the British monarchy were swiftly sparked by the news on social media and in royal circles.
Given that British royals don’t usually use surnames the way the general public does, the choice to take “Sussex” as a last name would seem unusual to some. Rather, they are typically addressed by their title and first name. Nonetheless, members of the royal line have traditionally adopted their father’s title or the name of their dukedom as a surname when necessary.
During their school years and military duty, Prince William and Prince Harry, for example, adopted the surname “Wales” in honor of their father, King Charles III (then Prince Charles of Wales). In a similar vein, Prince George, Prince William’s eldest son, has been referred to as “George Cambridge” at school because of his father’s title at the time, Duke of Cambridge.
Meghan is continuing a similar custom by deciding to use “Sussex” as her last name, albeit in a more conspicuous and intentional way. Additionally, it highlights the pair’s independence, particularly as they continue to forge their post-royal lives in the US.
Harry and Meghan have made a concerted effort to distance themselves from the royal family after resigning from their positions as senior working royals in 2020. They have explored independent commercial endeavors, negotiated lucrative agreements with streaming behemoths like Netflix and Spotify, and established their own foundation, Archewell.
Meghan might be strengthening their family’s brand identification by formally embracing “Sussex” as her last name. This recent action is a logical continuation of the couple’s branding strategy, since they have continuously referred to themselves as “Harry & Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex” in official communications and projects.
Victoria Arbiter, a royal analyst, pointed out that this goes beyond a simple name change. Meghan is making it apparent that she views Sussex as more than simply a title; it is an integral part of who she is. This step might also be about strengthening their family’s togetherness, considering how concerned they are of their children’s privacy and future.
Meghan’s name change has elicited a range of responses, as anticipated. The Duchess’s supporters applauded her for choosing a personal path that aligns with her ideals and for embracing a familial identity. A lot of people think it’s a heartfelt gesture that makes Meghan, Harry, and their kids closer.
The couple may be trying to rebrand themselves while still having connections to the royal position they have distanced themselves from, according to critics. According to certain royal traditionalists, it is paradoxical to use “Sussex” as a last name if one is not a senior royal.
Hashtags like #MeghanSussex and #NewRoyalName went viral on social media, and Twitter and Instagram were inundated with differing viewpoints. “Love that Meghan is making her own choices!” a Twitter user commented. It’s her name and who she is. Another person, meanwhile, tweeted, “Why continue using Sussex if they don’t want to be royals? They seem to desire the advantages without the obligations.
Meghan’s name change represents a personal and symbolic transformation, even though it is not legally required—royals are normally exempt from using official last names. It supports the idea that she and Harry are pursuing their own goals and defining their identities apart from the royal establishment.
Since Prince Harry has long been referred to as “Harry Sussex” in casual contexts, Meghan’s shift shows a greater dedication to maintaining harmony within their immediate family. It’s unclear if this change will be formally recognized by law or if it will only be applied in public places.
In the same way that earlier royal children have used their parents’ titles as surnames, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet may adopt the surname “Sussex” as their identity in official documents and at school.
More than just a name change, Meghan Markle’s choice to adopt the Sussex surname is a declaration about identity, family harmony, and the couple’s changing relationship with the public and the monarchy. This decision represents yet another step in the Sussexes’ quest to define themselves on their own terms as they continue to navigate life after the royal family.
Regardless of whether they receive positive or negative feedback, Meghan and Harry are unwavering in their determination to leave their own legacy, distinct from royal expectations but nonetheless closely linked to their titles and ancestry. For the time being, Meghan Sussex is embracing her new identity with confidence and purpose, but it remains to be seen how this choice will play out in the larger royal story.
