Meghan Markle’s new name explained after people think they’ve discovered ‘technical error’
A number of online trolls have been left absolutely fuming over Meghan Markle's new name change as they're convinced they've found a 'technical error' in the decision.
The Duchess of Sussex - who shares Archie, five, and Lilibet, three, with Prince Harry - recently opened up about the personal significance of the family-of-four all having the same surname.
What did Meghan say about her surname?
In a recent interview with PEOPLE, the Suits veteran explained that the Sussex surname - which was bestowed upon her and Harry by the late Queen Elizabeth II on their wedding day back in 2018 - 'means a lot' to her and her hubby.
"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."
Advert
She added that the Sussex name is 'part of our love story'.
What's the significance of the family Sussex name?
In an episode of her new Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan, she explained to her friend Mindy Kaling more about her choice of surname.
"I don't think anyone in the world knows that Meghan Markle has eaten Jack In The Box and loves it," Mindy said in response to an admission Meghan made about eating the takeout food.
Meghan pointed out 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," she explained. "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."
Why are people hitting out over the surname change?
Despite the touching reason behind the move, some people clearly seem totally up in arms about the whole situation given that Meghan and Harry stepped back from their royal roles in the UK to start a new life in the US back in 2020.
According to MailOnline, one royal fan hit out: "Her name is NOT Meghan Sussex. Her name is technically Rachel Mountbatten-Windsor. Sussex is a county in England & part of a courtesy title-NOT her last name."
"Meghan Markle married Henry Mountbatten Windsor not Harry Sussex! She's a delusional woman," penned a second while a third slammed: "So who criticises a guest like that? And her last name is not Sussex. Wouldn't it be Mountbatten-Windsor?"
"'Duchess of Sussex' is a courtesy title she holds only through her marriage," fumed a final troll. "It is not her surname and I'm quite sure she doesn't have 'Meghan Sussex' on her California drivers license.
"Legally her last name should be Mountbatten-Windsor."
Why the surname change is tradition
However, this isn't exactly true as, after leaving the monarchy, the Queen reportedly asked the pair to refrain from using the brand name 'Sussex Royal' which was previously their Instagram handle and the name of their website.
The pair later chose to use 'Archewell' for their website and production company.
Archie and Lilibet's surnames, which were originally Mountbatten-Windsor, changed when King Charles III took the throne, meaning the two children moved up in the line of succession and received the new titles of Prince and Princess of Sussex after previously being Master Archie and Miss Lilibet.
It's tradition for British princes and princesses to use their parents' titles as last names - something both Harry and Prince William did who went by 'William Wales' and 'Harry Wales' in school.
So, by adopting the Sussex surname, Meghan and Harry - who are the 'Duke and Duchess of Sussex' - are simply following tradition while being able to finally all share the same last name as a family unit.
Topics: Meghan Markle, Celebrity, Royal Family, Parenting, Prince Harry, Netflix, TV And Film
Rhiannon Ingle