Royal fans are upset after Meghan Markle recently stated that her last name is “Sussex.” Many pointed out that she has only visited the county once and that royals do not have official surnames.
The Duchess of Sussex, 43, made the statement while speaking with Mindy Kaling on her Netflix cooking show, “With Love, Meghan.” The two were preparing sandwiches and discussing childhood memories when Meghan mentioned her favorite fast-food spots.
During the chat, Kaling joked, “I don’t think anyone knows that Meghan Markle eats Jack In The Box.”
Meghan, trying to hide her reaction, corrected Kaling with a smile. “It’s funny that you keep saying Meghan Markle. You know I’m Sussex now.”
She went on to explain, “When you have kids, you realize how important it is to share a family name. This is OUR family name.”
Kaling, caught off guard, responded, “Well, now I know and I love it.”
Many royal fans were not happy with Meghan’s choice to call herself “Sussex.” Some pointed out that it is a title, not a surname.
One fan wrote, “Her name is NOT Meghan Sussex. Her legal name is Rachel Mountbatten-Windsor.”
Another added, “Meghan Markle married Prince Harry, not Harry Sussex. She is mistaken.”
A third person questioned her reaction to Kaling, saying, “Why correct a guest like that? Her last name is not Sussex.”
Meghan and Prince Harry received the Sussex title in 2018 but have only visited the county once. However, Meghan insists that the name is meaningful to their family.
“It’s our shared name, and I love that Archie, Lili, H, and I have it together,” she told People magazine.
Meghan dropped the name “Markle” after marriage and explained that royals traditionally use their titles instead of last names.
Other royals have done similar things—Prince William and Princess Kate’s children used “Cambridge” at school, and William and Harry used “Wales.”
Meghan said her new Netflix show has helped her “find herself” and that she sees herself as a “female founder and entrepreneur,” not an influencer.
The series was filmed in a $8 million mansion near Meghan and Harry’s Montecito home.
