Meghan Markle’s new Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, has been met with mixed reactions, with one moment in particular drawing significant attention and criticism. Although it may seem minor to some, it sparked a conversation that has divided public opinion.
The controversy revolves around Meghan’s decision to no longer use her maiden name, “Markle,” and to refer to herself by her married name, “Sussex.” This shift has been a topic of discussion in her recent Netflix series, which features Meghan and highlights her life in the public eye. In one episode, where actress and friend Mindy Kaling appears, Meghan corrects her when she refers to her as “Meghan Markle.”
“It’s so funny that you keep saying Meghan Markle. You know, I’m Sussex now,” Meghan says to Kaling, signaling a clear departure from her past. She later elaborates on why this change is important to her, explaining how her children, Archie and Lilibet, have shaped her view of her family name. “You have kids and you go, ‘No, I share my name with my children, and that feels so, I didn’t know how meaningful it would be to me,’” she shares, reflecting on the emotional weight of this decision. She adds, “It’s our shared name as a family, and I guess I hadn’t recognized how meaningful that would be to me until we had children.”
Despite Meghan’s explanation, her decision has drawn criticism, particularly from her father, Thomas Markle. In an interview with The Daily Mail, Thomas expressed his disappointment with his daughter’s choice to drop the Markle name. He shared that his late mother, Meghan’s paternal grandmother, would have been hurt by this decision. “My mum loved Meghan very much but she would be so disappointed to hear that Meghan no longer wants to use the name ‘Markle.’ My mother was proud to be a Markle. So am I,” he remarked.
Thomas also expressed his frustration over his strained relationship with Meghan, mentioning how the Duchess of Sussex had never shown a problem with her surname until her marriage to Prince Harry. He sarcastically added, “Now I have to say, ‘I am Meghan Sussex’s dad.’”
The relationship between Meghan and her father has been rocky for years. They became estranged in 2018, following a series of public scandals surrounding Thomas Markle, including his absence from Meghan’s royal wedding due to health issues. He has since moved to the Philippines, and although he has not seen Meghan’s Netflix show in full, he criticized what he saw of it, particularly her style as a host. He found her on-screen persona inauthentic, claiming she appeared too focused on perfection. “She’s trying so hard to be perfect that she tenses up every time the camera is on her,” he said. He compared her to other successful hosts, emphasizing that the best ones are those who are relaxed and embrace spontaneity.
Thomas also pointed out that Meghan’s approach to hosting, especially for a cooking show, seemed lacking in passion. “Cooking shows are horrendously boring unless the presenter has a passion for it,” he said. According to Thomas, Meghan’s efforts to seem perfect often make her come across as too rehearsed, rather than natural and engaging.
While many have sided with Thomas, claiming that he has the right to voice his opinions as Meghan’s father, others have argued that his repeated media appearances may have contributed to the estrangement. Some point out that his constant public commentary could be one of the reasons why Meghan has distanced herself from him. Others have also suggested that Meghan’s choice to change her last name is a personal decision, and that it is not uncommon for women to adopt their husband’s surname after marriage.
The debate over Meghan’s name change and her relationship with her father highlights the ongoing tensions between the Duchess and her family. Thomas Markle’s remarks, especially his criticisms of Meghan’s public image, have only added fuel to the fire, drawing a sharp divide in public opinion.
Meanwhile, Meghan’s decision to embrace the Sussex name reflects her desire to create a distinct identity for her family, one that aligns with her life as a mother and wife. The royal titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex were granted to Meghan and Prince Harry by Queen Elizabeth II on their wedding day in 2018. Even after stepping back from their royal duties in 2020, the couple still retains their titles.
As the public continues to debate Meghan’s choices and the ongoing family drama, it is clear that her relationship with her father remains a deeply personal and complicated issue. While some sympathize with Thomas Markle, others support Meghan’s need to carve out a new identity for herself and her family.
