Why the Sussex name matters to Meghan
The discussion around the nickname also touches on a broader topic that has followed Meghan and Harry for years. Since the couple stepped down as senior working royals in 2020, there has been ongoing debate about how they use the Sussex name.
Meghan has previously spoken about why sharing the same family name with their children is meaningful to her. During an episode of her Netflix series With Love, Meghan, she discussed the topic while talking with actress Mindy Kaling.
When Kaling jokingly referred to her as Meghan Markle, the duchess laughed and pointed out that she now goes by Sussex.
She explained that once you have children, sharing the same name as them takes on a different emotional significance. For her, it represents the identity of their small family.
Meghan later addressed the topic again during an appearance on the YouTube show The Circle with Emily Chang. She admitted that the royal naming system can be confusing, especially for Americans unfamiliar with British titles.
While technically her legal name remains Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, she explained that “Sussex” is often used informally within the family as a shared surname for her, Harry, and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
In the end, the International Women’s Day post that sparked the discussion was meant as a simple tribute to her daughter. But, as often happens with the Sussexes, even a small caption was enough to ignite a wider conversation online.
