Meghan Markle Tells Mindy Kaling She Goes by "Sussex Now" When It Comes to Her Royal Last Name
The Duchess of Sussex opened up about her "little family name."


One question that often comes up about the Royal Family is what they use as a last name. Princess Kate and Prince William—along with their kids Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis— go by the surname Wales due to their titles of Prince and Princess of Wales, for example. And when Meghan Markle gave birth to Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, their last names were listed as Mountbatten-Windsor, a family name the royals can use. However, the Duchess of Sussex revealed in her new Netflix show that they've now gone in a new direction.
After King Charles's coronation, the couple made headlines when a change to the Royal Family's website revealed Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3, listed as Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet of Sussex. And now in an episode of With Love, Meghan, the duchess confirmed (via People) that the family uses "Sussex" as their shared last name while chatting with guest Mindy Kaling about their childhoods.
"People wouldn’t believe that Meghan Markle ate at Jack in the Box," Kaling said during the episode, with the duchess replying, "It’s so funny, too, that you keep saying Meghan Markle. You know I’m Sussex now."
She continued, "You have kids and you go, 'No, I share my name with my children.' 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."
With Love, Meghan, originally scheduled to release in January, was pushed back to March 4 due to the Los Angeles wildfires.
Netflix preview With Love Meghan
A photo posted by on
In a March 3 interview with People, the duchess also spoke of her last name, sharing, "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."
Along with their surname, the Duchess of Sussex touched on what it's like being a working mom as her kids get older.
"When your children get to a certain age—when you’re not just playing in the sandbox with them but almost playing in your own sandbox again—it’s super joyful," she told People. "As a woman, a mom and a wife, to be able to find yourself again—in a way that was always present but that you maybe couldn’t put as much attention on as you now can when your kids are a little bit older—is a wonderful feeling."
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.
Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central. Kristin has provided expert commentary for outlets including the BBC, Sky News, US Weekly, the Today Show and many others.
Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She's passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.
-
Kate Middleton Channels Princess Diana at Trooping the Colour 2025
The Princess of Wales even wore the same designer as her late mother-in-law.
-
Taylor Swift Styles a Breezy Loewe Dress for a Special Surprise Visit
She made their day.
-
After Season 2's Controversial Ending, Will 'The Devil's Plan' Return for Season 3?
Fans have a lot of thoughts about where the Korean reality show should go.
-
Body Language Expert Reveals Queen Elizabeth "Truly Embraced" Meghan Markle During Rare Joint Appearance as a "Double Act" in 2018
"The fact that the two of them were appearing together...was quite unique."
-
How a "Last-Minute" Message Called an Urgent "Ceasefire" Between Prince Harry and Prince William After Queen Elizabeth Died
"They are better and stronger together than they are apart."
-
How Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Paid Tribute to Princess Diana With Princess Lilibet's 4th Birthday Celebration
The Sussexes spent "two days of pure joy" at Disneyland with their children.
-
Princess Lilibet Has Prince Harry's Eyes in Adorable New Fourth Birthday Photos
Proud mom Meghan shared some unseen photos of Lili—and she looks just like her dad.
-
All About Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Two Rescue Dogs, Mamma Mia and Pula
Prince Harry says the pair are "emotional support dogs 100 percent, when they're behaving."
-
Exclusive: Meghan Markle on the "Extraordinary Advice" Tina Knowles Gave Her During Special Podcast Episode
The Duchess of Sussex tells 'Marie Claire' what it was like talking business and Beyoncé with Ms. Tina.
-
Meghan Markle Says One Aspect of Royal Life Left Her "Clinging Very Closely" to Prince Harry During Prince Archie Pregnancy
The duchess recalled thinking, "please don’t let me fall."
-
Royal Family Is Open to "Public Scrutiny" as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Former Home, Frogmore Cottage, Sits Unused
Property expert Robin Edwards tells 'Marie Claire' that there's multiple options for the historic home.