With Love, Meghan: Meghan Markle hits back at Mindy Kaling in Netflix show over her name
Mindy appeared in an episode of With Love, Meghan
During a moment in With Love, Meghan, Meghan Markle revealed that she prefers to go by the surname “Sussex” rather than her maiden name.
The Duchess of Sussex, 43, made the revelation in conversation with her close friend, actress Mindy Kaling, in the second episode of the series.
Meghan Markle explains her Sussex family name in Netflix cooking show
While reminiscing about childhood dining habits, Mindy joked: “I don’t think anyone in the world would know that Meghan Markle has eaten at Jack in the Box,” referring to the US fast food chain.
Meghan smiled and corrected her: “It’s so funny, too, that you keep saying, ‘Meghan Markle.’ You know, I’m Sussex now.”
Mindy, 45, appeared surprised but quickly embraced the correction. She said: “Now I know, and I love it.”
Meghan explained that the decision to use the Sussex surname stems from her desire to share a family name with her children.
“You have kids, and you go, ‘No, I share my name with my children,'” she told Mindy.
“I didn’t know how meaningful that would be to me, but it just means so much to say, ‘This is our family name, our little family name.'”
Meghan explains ‘Sussex’ name for her family
In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Meghan expanded on why the Sussex name is so significant to her.
“It’s our shared name as a family, and I guess I hadn’t realised how meaningful that would be until we had children,” she explained.
“I love that Archie, Lili, H, and I all have this name together. It means a lot to me.”
Meghan also spoke about how the Sussex name represents the love story she shares with Harry.
“The Sussex name is part of our love story,” she gushed.
The moment has sparked backlash, with one person saying on X: “This was an incredibly awkward exchange.”
Another wrote: “The more I see that condescending interaction with Mindy, the more tone deaf she appears.”
A third added: “Mindy looked awkward and confused, like WTH? Meghan embarrassed her.”
Meghan Markle’s real name revealed
Meghan was actually born Rachel Meghan Markle. But throughout her career, and to her family, she’s known as Meghan – or Meg!
Meghan and Harry have the titles Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The titles were bestowed upon them by Queen Elizabeth II on their wedding day in May 2018.
Following King Charles’ ascension to the throne in 2022, Harry and Meghan’s children Archie and Lilibet were then officially granted Prince and Princess titles.
But the Sussex name has become a central part of the family’s identity.
Although the couple stepped back from their senior royal roles in 2020, they have retained their titles.
Despite leaving behind many royal duties, Meghan has embraced the Sussex titles as a reflection of her family’s unity.
Meghan’s cooking show With Love, Meghan premieres on Netflix with all eight episodes
Meanwhile, Meghan’s highly anticipated Netflix series premiered on March 4.
The eight-part series blends cooking, home entertaining and personal storytelling. It has been described as a passion project for the Duchess of Sussex.
Throughout the eight episodes, Meghan invites friends – both familiar faces and new acquaintances – to join her in the kitchen and garden as she shares personal tips and favourite recipes.
“I’ve always loved taking something pretty ordinary and elevating it,” Meghan says in the series trailer. She has reinforced the idea that the show is about finding beauty in the everyday.
Among her celebrity guests are Mindy Kaling, Abigail Spencer, and renowned chefs like Alice Waters and Roy Choi.
Prince Harry also makes a special cameo in the final episode.
You can watch With Love, Meghan on Netflix now.
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