Royal expert reveals ‘real reason’ why Meghan Markle and kids are using new surname after she speaks out about it

An expert has explained why Meghan Markle has changed her surname after she explained that she and her kids actually go by a different one these days.

Meghan, 43, who shares Archie, five, and Lilibet, three, with her husband Prince Harry, has opened up about her family life as her brand-new lifestyle series titled With Love, Meghan aired on Netflix this week.

In the second episode of the show, she explained how she now has a new surname.

Discussing her favourite takeaways with friend Mindy Kaling, Meghan explains that as a child, she grew up on a lot of takeouts.

"I don't think anyone in the world knows that Meghan Markle has eaten Jack In The Box and loves it," said Mindy.

But Meghan changed the subject, explaining that she found it 'funny' that Mindy called her 'Meghan Markle'.

"It's so funny you keep saying Meghan Markle, you know I'm Sussex now.

"You have kids and you go 'No, I share my name with my children'.

"I didn't know how meaningful it would be to me but it just means so much to go 'This is OUR family name. Our little family name'."

In response, Mindy said: "Well, now I know and I love it."

Meghan explained she shares the same name as her children (Netflix)

Following Meghan's admission, a royal expert has explained why Meghan continues to use her Duchess of Sussex title, despite stepping away from royal life.

Co-author of Royal Fever, Pauline MacLaran told Express.co.uk: "Meghan has continued to use her royal title since returning to the US and this is what draws an audience to her so it’s pretty essential in my view for her brand.

"Fans love the transformative story that underpins her marriage to Harry, the Cinderella story of getting her Prince. So I think it’s pretty important that she uses her royal title and, of course, she is allowed to do this as she is married to the Duke who is not going to stop using his title anytime soon!

"To maintain her brand, I think it’s fairly essential that she continues to call herself the Duchess of Sussex. By using this association, her credentials to be promoting an aspirational lifestyle are validated, as is her good taste and so forth."

Meghan and Harry were bestowed the title in 2018 (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for W+P)

The late Queen Elizabeth bestowed the Sussex title upon Prince Harry and Meghan for their wedding back in 2018.

In a recent interview with People, Meghan explained the significance of the name further.

"It’s our shared name as a family, and I guess I hadn’t recognised how meaningful that would be to me until we had children," Meghan shared.

"I love that that is something that Archie, Lili, H and I all have together. It means a lot to me."