Meghan Markle has taken a bold step by officially adopting “Sussex” as her last name, aligning herself with her husband, Prince Harry, and their children, Archie and Lilibet. This change has ignited discussions about royal naming conventions and whether Meghan’s choice is a departure from tradition or simply a natural evolution of her identity as part of the Sussex family.

The topic came to light during Meghan’s new Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, where she casually corrected actress and producer Mindy Kaling for calling her by her maiden name. “It’s so funny you keep saying Markle,” Meghan said, smiling. “You know it’s Sussex now.” She explained that after having children, she felt a stronger connection to their shared family name, realizing how meaningful it was to have a collective identity with her husband and children.

Meghan elaborated on this sentiment in a recent interview with People, where she expressed pride in carrying the Sussex name. She recalled how she hadn’t considered the emotional impact of sharing a surname with her children until she experienced it firsthand. “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. I love that that is something that Archie, Lili, H, and I all have together. It means a lot to me.”

This transition was further solidified when Meghan appeared on The Drew Barrymore Show to promote her projects. The host, Drew Barrymore, introduced her by referring to her as “Meghan Sussex,” marking the first time she was publicly addressed by her newly adopted last name.

While the change seems personal and symbolic for Meghan, it has not been without controversy. Critics argue that “Sussex” is not a proper last name, but rather a title granted to Meghan and Harry by the late Queen Elizabeth II upon their marriage. Traditionally, royals use Mountbatten-Windsor as their surname when necessary, as seen on official documents. Some have taken issue with Meghan’s decision to break from that norm.

One royal observer questioned the legitimacy of her new name, writing, “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.” Others echoed similar sentiments, debating whether she had the right to claim Sussex as her official surname.

Even within her own family, there has been pushback. Meghan’s estranged father, Thomas Markle, voiced his disappointment, stating that his mother would have been devastated to see Meghan reject the Markle name. “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 also critiqued Meghan’s public persona, claiming she appeared inauthentic in her Netflix series and too focused on perfection.

Despite the backlash, royal experts clarify that using a title as a surname is not unprecedented. Prince Harry, for example, went by “Harry Wales” during his time in the British Army, referencing his father’s title as Prince of Wales. Similarly, Prince William’s children use “Wales” as their surname now that their father holds the Prince of Wales title. According to Debrett’s, a recognized authority on British etiquette and titles, Meghan and Harry are fully entitled to use “Sussex” as their surname, as it reflects their official dukedom.

While the shift to “Meghan Sussex” is gaining traction, it remains to be seen whether the media and public will fully adopt it. News outlets still widely refer to her as Meghan Markle, a name that has been synonymous with her public identity for years. Whether this change is embraced or continues to stir debate, one thing is certain: Meghan’s decision to adopt the Sussex name reflects her desire to solidify her family’s identity and step further into her role as wife and mother, rather than remaining tethered to her maiden name.

The debate over royal names is nothing new, and Meghan’s decision has added yet another layer to the ongoing conversation about tradition, personal identity, and the evolving nature of the modern royal family. While some see it as a natural progression, others view it as an overreach, considering her ties to the county of Sussex are minimal beyond the title itself.

As Meghan continues to build her post-royal life, the question remains: will the world fully embrace “Meghan Sussex,” or will she forever be Meghan Markle in the public eye? Whatever the case, her choice has sparked a broader discussion about names, identity, and what it means to redefine oneself within — or outside — the royal institution.