In a recent appearance on The Circuit podcast, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, addressed the ongoing confusion surrounding her official surname, explaining that while “Sussex” is not a traditional last name, it serves as a family name for her, Prince Harry, and their children, Archie and Lillibet.
When asked about her surname by host Emily Chung, Markle, 44, said that she changed her name after her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018.
However, she acknowledged that the concept of a last name is not typical in the royal family construct.
Royal Naming Conventions Explained
Markle clarified that her legal name is Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, but she and her family use “Sussex” as a family name.
This title was bestowed upon the couple by Queen Elizabeth II after their marriage.
Despite leaving the royal family in 2020, they were allowed to keep their Sussex titles, albeit with the restriction on using “Sussex Royal” for projects outside the royal family.
In the interview, Markle also touched on what she has learned about herself since becoming a member of the royal family, stating that her name or title does not define who she is as a person.
This conversation comes on the heels of the release of the second season of her Netflix show, which has garnered significant attention and publicity.
In a previous interview with Mindy Kaling, Markle had claimed that her official last name was “Sussex,” sparking confusion about the royal family’s naming conventions.