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.
-
British Actors Who Have Perfected American Accents
You'd never know the truth.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Did Selena Gomez Just Give Us a Preview of Her Future Bridal Hairstyle?
Romantic, flirty, and trendy—what’s not to love?
By Ariel Baker Published
-
Princess Beatrice‘s Baby Daughter Shares a Sweet Tie to Princess Diana's Niece
Although they're not related, there's a connection between the Spencer and Mapelli-Mozzi families.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Why Gwyneth Paltrow Supports Meghan Markle's Goop-style Reinvention Despite Not Knowing Her Personally
Book her for season 2 of 'With Love, Meghan' right now.
By Lia Beck Published
-
Did Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet Just Make an Adorable Waffle Version of Queen Elizabeth's Face?
The Duchess of Sussex shared a fun St. Patrick's Day video that had fans making queenly connections.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Meghan Markle Shares the "Uncomfortable" Experience She Had After Moving to Montecito
"Of course, at the beginning, that felt like a lot."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
7 Times the Royal Family Broke Queen Elizabeth's More Understated "Rule"
These royal women are doing it their way.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Meghan Markle Just Keeps Getting Busier With Major New Business Announcement
April will bring an exciting new venture for the duchess.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Jewelry Expert Reveals Who Owns the Most Expensive Royal Engagement Ring
From pink sapphires to classic diamonds, these regal rings don't disappoint.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince Harry Proves He's a Total Girl Dad in Sweet New Photo of Daughter Princess Lilibet
Lilibet is curled up in her dad's lap in the previously unseen snap.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Meghan Markle and Son Prince Archie Are Basically Twins in Photos Taken Decades Apart
The Duchess of Sussex just shared a throwback photo from her time as a Girl Scout.
By Amy Mackelden Published