Success is heady champagne; few sip it longer than Meghan Markle. From Suits standout to Duchess of Sussex beside Prince Harry, conversation keeps humming. Credits stack, ventures expand, and her list of names grows like a royal scroll. Fans debate what to call her, critics parse protocol. The real knot is monarchy’s shifting mix of surnames, styles, and courtesy titles that change with time and duty. Even though she left the royal household amid family rifts, the Duchess has finally reflected on her name confusion.

Meghan Markle finally clarified her own name and decoded the royal surname maze, giving fans a clear explanation of how her title, family name, and royal naming traditions all fit together.

On August 26, Meghan Markle appeared on Bloomberg’s The Circuit with journalist Emily Chung, who pressed her on the confusing issue of royal surnames. Chung asked whether she was Meghan Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, or still Meghan Markle. The Duchess responded that marriage changed her name, but royal tradition does not follow typical surnames. She explained, “It’s a dukedom,” adding, “So, that’s the truth of it." Her legal name is Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Sussex functions as the shared family name with Prince Harry and their children.

The royal family’s naming traditions further clarify Meghan Markle’s explanation during the interview. Members may be identified by either their royal house or a surname. Queen Elizabeth’s children traditionally used Windsor, but Mountbatten-Windsor was later adopted to distinguish descendants. As youngsters, Prince Harry and Prince William were called Wales, after their parents’ titles. Today, Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their children still use Wales. Upon their wedding, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle became the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, making Sussex their official family name. The clarification came following the Mindy Kaling incident.

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Meghan Markle snubbed Mindy Kaling after the actress used her maiden name on With Love, Meghan. The moment shocked several fans and raised eyebrows.

For the second episode of her Netflix cooking series With Love, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex hosted actress Mindy Kaling for a casual lunch. During their conversation, Kaling referred to her by her maiden name, Markle, which clearly did not sit well with the Duchess. The former royal used the moment to assert her current identity and royal surname. With a playful tone, she told Kaling, “It’s so funny that you keep saying ‘Meghan Markle.’ You know I’m Sussex now,” highlighting the importance of her new title and family name.

Meghan Markle reflected on how sharing her surname with her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, became deeply meaningful. She realized the importance of having a family name that truly represented her household. Although the Duchess left royal life behind, she still misses aspects of her former world. However, she continues to carry her royal title, which remains a significant part of her identity. As she clarified in her recent conversation with Emily Chung.

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What do you think about Meghan Markle’s clarification of her name? Let us know in the comments below.