Fans of Meghan Markle, also known as the Duchess of Sussex, were thrilled to dive into her latest project— an eight-episode Netflix docuseries titled With Love, Meghan, that saw the former actress preparing meals and parties alongside celebrity pals like Roy Choi, Vicky Tsai and Mindy Kaling.
It turns out there's a reason the show isn't called With Love, Meghan Markle. The former Suits actress revealed to 'email pen pal' Mindy Kaling that she no longer goes by the name 'Meghan Markle.' She said, ‘It’s so funny, too, that you keep saying Meghan Markle. You know I’m Sussex now.'
She added, 'I share my name with my children. I didn’t know how meaningful that would be to me, but it just means so much to go, “This is our family name, our little family name.”’
Although this caused a whole internet storm and confusion over how Sussex came to be her surname— or Prince Harry's surname, for that matter— this isn't the first hint she's given that she no longer uses the name by Meghan Markle. For example, during her now-cancelled podcast, she was simply credited as Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.
It's true, Meghan and Harry still use the Duke and Duchess title that was given to them by Queen Elizabeth II on their wedding day in 2018. But now fans are asking how Meghan can still be the Duchess of Sussex even though she and Harry have left the royal family? Let's take a quick ride through the twisted rules of the royal family.
Why Is Meghan Markle Still Allowed To Be Called A Duchess?
When Harry and Meghan decided to take a step back from their senior royal roles, they did not lose their Duke and Duchess titles. Opting to move to California, cut fewer ribbons and wear fewer tiaras does not mean that they cease to be members of the family, and they are still entitled to be known by Duke and Duchess.
It's highly improbably that they would ever be stripped of their titles as it would require an Act of Parliament, with a statute passed by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Royal sources say that it's 'unlikely' that this would ever happen: the last time individuals lost peerages in this manner was in 1917, and this was for actual treason (in that case, bearing arms against the UK). Besides, would you ask your married friends to return the bread bin you bought them as a wedding gift just because they decide to move countries? Of course not.
What they have lost, however, is the right to use their former HRH titles. This came about in February 2021, when an official announcement read, 'Following conversations with The Duke, The Queen has written confirming that in stepping away from the work of The Royal Family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service. The honorary military appointments and Royal patronages held by The Duke and Duchess will therefore be returned to Her Majesty, before being redistributed among working members of The Royal Family.'
Those confused by the continuing use of the Duke and Duchess titles should look back at Sarah, Duchess of York, more affectionately known as Fergie due to her surname, Ferguson. She still goes by that title, despite divorcing Prince Andrew decades ago, and has published books under that name (without the mass hysteria we saw when Meghan did in 2021). Likewise, Diana remained Princess of Wales until her death and she did not lose her title nor revert to Diana Spencer.
However, Diana and Sarah would have lost their titles if they had remarried. A new union before the eyes of God would be enough to sever a woman's link to the family.
Still confused? Well, let's turn to reality TV to help. Remember how Luann de Lesseps of The Real Housewives franchise used to be known as The Countess? This wasn't an affectation: she was actually married to a French count from 1993 to 2009. However, she lost the right to that title when she remarried in 2016. So, hypothetically, if Harry and Meghan split up, Meghan would retain her right to be known as The Duchess of Sussex until the day she remarried, if she ever decided to do so.
Will Harry and Meghan always be the Duke and Duchess of Sussex? It is not impossible that King Charles or his successor William might one day decree that they must relinquish them, taking back that gift like the aforementioned proverbial bread bin. If so, they may be advised to do the same for other members of the family who have stood accused of far worse things than Harry and Meghan. But, for now, it seems unlikely, despite the occasional radio show opinion poll or Piers Morgan rage session.
To paraphrase the Chronicles of Narnia: once a Duke or a Duchess, always a Duke or a Duchess. Now, is anyone else hoping Luann de Lesseps and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex might end up lunching one of these days? Just us?