Meghan Markle is setting the record straight—again—about her name, following a wave of public confusion that began in season one of With Love, Meghan and
Meghan Markle is setting the record straight—again—about her name, following a wave of public confusion that began in season one of With Love, Meghan and was reignited by a viral moment with actress Mindy Kaling.
In a new interview with journalist Emily Chang for The Circuit, timed with the release of With Love, Meghan season two on Netflix, the Duchess of Sussex addressed the ongoing chatter about her name—while enjoying smash burgers and a candid conversation where nothing was off limits.
So… What Does Meghan’s Passport Actually Say?
At one point in the interview, Emily asked the question that many fans (and critics) have been dying to know: “What’s your actual name now? What does your passport say?”
Meghan responded with honesty—and a touch of humor—acknowledging the confusion around royal naming traditions.
“When I got married, I changed my name. It’s a complicated one for people to understand, because a last name is not typical in that construct,” she explained.
“It’s a dukedom,” she added, noting that even she finds the royal naming system puzzling at times, especially as an American.
“My legal name is Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. ‘Sussex’ for us functions as our family name. It’s the name we share with our children. But yes, since we’ve been married, that’s what I’ve been called.”
Her comments help to clarify what’s written on official documents—while also highlighting how the titles bestowed upon royals don’t always follow conventional Western naming formats.
The Mindy Kaling Mix-Up That Went Viral
This isn’t the first time Meghan’s name has been a topic of conversation. In season one of With Love, Meghan, actress and writer Mindy Kaling referred to the host as “Meghan Markle,” prompting a polite but firm correction from the Duchess.
“It’s so funny, too, that you keep saying ‘Meghan Markle,’” Meghan told Mindy with a smile. “You know, I’m Sussex now.”
The moment quickly went viral, with clips circulating on TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), sparking a flurry of discussion about whether the correction was warranted—or awkward.
Mindy later reflected on the interaction during an appearance on The View. Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin brought up the exchange, asking what it was like to be on the receiving end of that now-infamous moment.
“We were making sandwiches, and then they’ll push in on my face on TikTok and be like, ‘Look at this emotion you felt,’” Mindy laughed. “And I honestly didn’t even remember it.”
A Royal Name, Reimagined
While the monarchy comes with its own set of traditions and titles, Meghan and Harry have made it clear that “Sussex” is how they identify as a family—officially and personally. It’s the surname used for both Archie and Lilibet, and it appears the couple is embracing their title not just as a formality, but as a modern family identity.
So, if you’re still calling her Meghan Markle, consider this your royal reminder: it’s Meghan, Duchess of Sussex—or simply, Meghan Sussex, if you’re keeping it casual (and accurate).
