Meghan Markle Confirms Legal Surname Sussex Amid Royal Status Clarification

Meghan Markle has clarified her legal name amid controversy, stating that while her official title is Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, she and her family loosely use 'Sussex' as their surname. In interviews promoting the second season of her Netflix show, she explained that the concept of a last name is complicated within the royal context, as Sussex is a dukedom rather than a traditional surname. Meghan addressed confusion stemming from her American background and royal customs, emphasizing that the name Sussex works for her family. Despite social media backlash and claims from royal experts and relatives that her family name is Mountbatten-Windsor, Meghan maintains that Sussex is the name she has been called since marriage and shares with her husband Prince Harry and their children. She also reflected on her journey to authenticity, noting that her identity remains constant regardless of what name she uses. Meghan's candid discussions highlight both the complexities of royal naming conventions and her personal embrace of her chosen family identity.