The Duchess of Sussex has been the subject of ridicule again after claiming her name is no longer Meghan Markle on her new show on Netflix but rather Meghan Sussex. So what is going on?
Markle is indeed the Duchess’s maiden name and should no longer be used. As a member of the royal family, she does not need a surname, but where one is required, the name Mountbatten-Windsor can be used. This is the official surname.
However, it has been the practice of other members of the royal family, and also members of the peerage, to use their title as a surname. Therefore, it is within royal protocol for the Duchess of Sussex to use the name Meghan Sussex. For example, her brother-in-law used the name “Wales” during his time in the army.1
This was also confirmed by Debrett’s in a post on X.
The official surname of the Royal Family is Mountbatten-Windsor. It has long been the practice of the Royal Family, and indeed the peerage, to use a title as a surname where one is available. It is perfectly within protocol for the Duchess to use Meghan Sussex.
— Debrett’s (@Debretts) March 6, 2025
She has not “changed” her name; she hasn’t been Meghan Markle since she married Prince Harry.
This may be superfluous, but this is your reminder that the Sussexes have not been stripped of their titles. It was announced that the Duke and Duchess would not use the style of HRH, but they still retain the style.2
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