Rather than giving in to her critics, Meghan Markle has chosen to further stand firm in the debate about her title.
In the second installment of Mindy Kaling’s Netflix series “With Love, Meghan,” the duchess jokingly pointed out that it was amusing how the actress continually addressed her using her birth name rather than their shared married surname.
Meghan emphasized, “Now, I’m part of Sussex, not just individually.” She continued, “Even though you share your name with your children, I didn’t realize how significant it would be for me. But to say ‘our family name,’ it carries such a deep meaning.
Indeed, it seems your curiosity is piqued as to who Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor and Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor are – these are the children of the couple in question.
Well, the answer is… they are. But they don’t have to be.
Why weren’t Archie and Lilibet, the children of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, named Archie Sussex and Lili Sussex from birth, given that Harry and Meghan continue to hold those titles despite their decision to step back and maintain a distance from the royal family?
Royal names can follow a pattern or logic, but they often change throughout a person’s lifetime, meaning that many royals are given names they may never actually use or become widely recognized by during their lives.
In addition, this rule isn’t exclusive to women adopting their spouse’s surname upon marriage; it can apply to anyone. For instance, Meghan had a more intricate situation since she married Prince Harry, who possesses four given names (Henry Charles Albert David) and occasionally uses a last name, like during his school or military days.
Why is Meghan Markle now Meghan Sussex?
In 2018, when Meghan and Harry got married, it was customary for Queen Elizabeth II to bestow upon them the titles Duke and Duchess of Sussex as a wedding gift. Being 92 years old at the time, she thought that the couple would continue their senior royal duties throughout, if not beyond, her lifetime.
Although they officially took on these titles after the weddings, it hasn’t stopped people from informally calling Meghan Markle by her previous name and Kate Middleton by her maiden name, despite both women being known as the Duchess of Sussex and the Duchess of Cambridge respectively. Even Prince William publicly refers to his wife as Catherine.
In a more casual and modern rephrasing, we could say: Though they’re officially titled as the Prince and Princess of Wales now due to their new roles, old affectionate names prior to their marriage still linger on.
In 2020, when Harry and Meghan stepped down from their roles as senior royals and moved to the U.S., Queen Elizabeth granted them the titles Duke and Duchess of Sussex but forbade them from exploiting those titles commercially or using them for personal profit.
Though they do not actually possess it themselves, their status as part of the royal family has significantly boosted their public visibility. Critics who are particularly vocal about the matter continue to demand that they give up their titles completely.
In essence, Meghan has always had the option to include “Sussex” in her name, but she now finds it significant for herself and her children. Similarly to how Prince Harry was once known as Harry Wales (son of Charles and Diana, Prince and Princess of Wales) and is now recognized as Harry Sussex.
In a recent conversation with People, Meghan explained, “Our family name is something we share, and it wasn’t until we had our children that I truly understood its significance. Now, I cherish the fact that Archie, Lili, H, and I all bear this name together. It holds great meaning for me.
And yet, her kids weren’t always Archie Sussex and Lili Sussex.
Why weren’t Archie and Lili named Sussex when they were born?
In 2019 and 2021, Meghan and Harry’s children were not automatically given high titles like their cousins Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis due to their birth order. Unlike Prince William, who is first in line to the throne, they do not hold such a position.
Upon their arrival, neither Archie and Lilibet were given titles by their parents, nor was there any insistence from Queen Elizabeth II for her great-grandchildren to hold such titles.
Instead, they adopted the combined surname Mountbatten-Windsor. The first part is derived from their great-grandfather, Prince Philip, who chose the surname Mountbatten, a nod to his maternal grandparents, when he became a British citizen prior to marrying then-Princess Elizabeth in 1947. The second half honors the prestigious House of Windsor, a name selected by King George V in 1917 for all male descendants of Queen Victoria, his grandmother.
Who gets a last name and who doesn’t in the royal family?
In 1960, the queen and Philip made a decision to combine their family lines, stipulating that any descendants not titled as His or Her Royal Highness, Prince, or Princess would bear the name Mountbatten-Windsor.
This version maintains the original meaning while making it more accessible to readers.
As a lifestyle expert, I’d like to share an interesting fact: My first cousins once removed, Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie’s children – Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn – are part of our extended family. Just like us, they carry the Mountbatten-Windsor surname. It’s fascinating to see the continuity of our shared lineage!
They bear such a title due to their father being an earl at the time of their birth. However, the queen chose this specific name for them, although they were also born as both prince and princess and retain that status. In March 2023, King Charles bestowed upon Edward, his youngest brother, the Duke of Edinburgh title, which was previously held by their father, Philip. Consequently, Sophie is now known as Duchess of Edinburgh, having spent most of her married life as Countess of Wessex. Yet it took quite some time for her to be recognized as anything other than Sophie Rhys-Jones.
Although people can use their birth titles as surnames occasionally, for example, William Wales and Harry Wales who were originally known as Prince William of Wales and Prince Harry of Wales.
When did Archie and Lili’s names change to Sussex?
When my country’s queen passed away in 2022, her eldest son ascended the throne as King Charles III. In this new role, my cousins Archie and Lili became the children of the ruling monarch, thus they are now recognized as Prince Archie of Sussex and Princess Lili of Sussex, respectively. This means that they hold sixth and seventh places in line to the throne.
While their cousins, Prince George of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, and Prince Louis of Cambridge adopted the titles Prince George of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, and Prince Louis of Wales respectively, as William and Kate became the Prince and Princess of Wales. This means they are now commonly known as George Wales, Charlotte Wales, and Louis Wales in their daily lives.
Even before 2023, Archie had received his name, whereas Lili was given her princess title upon being baptized in March of that year. The official royal family website promptly updated to include their newly bestowed titles afterwards.
Now that Meghan and Harry reside in America, their entire family surname is simply Sussex. After all, what other choice could there possibly be?
Read on for more of the meanings behind royal family names:
Queen Elizabeth II’s first name is identical to that of her mother, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (who was later known as the Queen Mother), while the remainder of her full birth name – Elizabeth Alexandra Mary – were derived from her maternal and paternal grandmothers.
Additionally, her official title was Queen Elizabeth II, by God’s Grace, Queen within this Kingdom and of Her additional Kingdoms and Territories, Chief of the Commonwealth, Protector of the Faith.
In traditional royal practice, the monarch always has the final say in naming new members of the royal family. For instance, Princess Margaret, Elizabeth’s younger sister, was initially meant to be named Ann, but King George V didn’t approve this choice.
Born as Charles Philip Arthur George, the present monarch served as the longest-standing heir to the throne in British history before ascending the throne at the age of 73.
His first name traces its roots to one of the oldest lineages within the royal family, originating in the 17th century. The choice of ‘Philip,’ however, was influenced by his father, who holds the title of the Duke of Edinburgh.
Previously known as the Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay, Charles assumed the title of Prince of Wales when he was 21 years old in 1958, a role that is traditionally held by the eldest son of the ruling monarch.
The name of the future king, William Arthur Philip Louis (born on June 21, 1982), carries a rich sense of tradition. His middle names, Philip and Arthur, pay tribute to his grandfather and share a connection with Prince Charles. Additionally, he named one of his sons Louis, passing this name down through the royal family as well.
According to the 1992 book “Diana: Her Story”, it was disclosed that Princess Diana had chosen her two sons’ names, as she overruled Prince Charles’ initial choices for their names.
When asked who selected Harry’s name, Diana replied, “It was me… who picked both William and Harry, while Charles handled the rest.” Additionally, she shared Charles’ initial choices: “He preferred Albert and Arthur, but I vetoed them as they seemed too old to me.
Following their marriage in 2011, William and Catherine Middleton, often known as Kate, assumed the roles of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Upon Queen Elizabeth II’s demise in 2022 and Charles’ ascension to the throne, they became the Prince and Princess of Wales.
By the way, they have likewise assumed the roles of Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, and Earl and Countess of Chester, now held by Charles and Queen Camilla.
As a lifestyle connoisseur, I’ve been fortunate enough to bear the esteemed titles of Earl and Countess of Strathearn ever since my wedding day, a title that resonates deeply within Scotland. Additionally, in the vibrant region of Northern Ireland, I hold the noble titles of Baron and Baroness Carrickfergus. These illustrious titles are not just words on paper; they symbolize a rich legacy and responsibility to uphold traditions that span generations.
And that’s not all.
George Alexander Louis was born as the Prince George of Cambridge on July 22, 2013, but he is now known as Prince George of Wales, with his title changing appropriately.
Louis appears to be named after Louis Mountbatten, a cherished uncle of Prince Philip and a guiding figure for the future King Charles III. Tragically, he met his end in an IRA bombing incident in 1979.
The full name of William and Kate’s daughter, Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, is a thoughtful nod to several significant relatives in her family tree.
Hey there! I can’t help but be in awe when I think about the name Charlotte, born on May 2nd, 2015. It seems to me that this name carries a special significance, not just for the little princess herself, but also for her family lineage.
Charlotte appears to be a nod to her granddad, Charles, which resonates deeply with me as a fan. But the connection doesn’t stop there. The middle name Elizabeth is a clear reference to her great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, a powerful and influential figure in our history.
Moreover, Charlotte shares a middle name with Kate Middleton’s sister, Pippa. I find it fascinating that this connection extends even beyond the immediate family. And let’s not forget Diana, a tribute to William’s late mother, woven into her name as well. It’s as if these strong women from past and present are being honored in this tiny, precious bundle of joy.
Simply put, Charlotte’s name tells a beautiful story of family, tradition, and respect for the remarkable women who came before her. I can’t help but be moved by it!
After her parents were crowned Prince and Princess of Wales, she transformed from being known as a member of the Cambridge family into Princess Charlotte of Wales.
Shortly after the arrival of their third child on April 23, 2018, Kensington Palace shared that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are overjoyed to have named him Louis Arthur Charles. The newborn prince will be recognized as His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Cambridge.
Once again, he too is now Prince Louis of Wales.
Born on September 15, 1984, as Prince Henry of Wales, I was affectionately known as Harry by my loving parents, a nickname that has remained with me ever since.
In the year 2018, when Harry wed California-born former star of Suits, Meghan Markle, they were titled as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Meghan and Harry decided to call their newborn son Archie, a name they found appealing, when he arrived on May 6, 2019.
The selection left royal experts puzzled, with historian Marlene Koenig previously stating to TopMob News, “This is a very unconventional name pick, but I’m not surprised since I predicted they would opt for something out-of-the-box. There are no Archies or Archibalds within the family. I’ve mentioned on several occasions that parents of non-royals seem to have greater flexibility and freedom.” (It is noteworthy that Princess Diana has an ancestor named Archibald Campbell, the 9th Earl of Argyll from Scotland.)
Harrison, however, literally means “son of Harry.”
Upon his arrival, his surname was Mountbatten-Windsor; this is the surname Prince Philip took on becoming a British citizen, joined with Windsor, the family name used by the Queen’s male-line descendants without royal titles or styles.
When his great-grandmother, the queen, passed away and Grandad Charles ascended the throne, being the child of the current monarch’s son, he was titled Prince Archie of Sussex as a youngster.
Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor was born to Meghan and Harry on June 4, 2021.
According to a family statement, Lili’s first name is a tribute to her great-grandmother, affectionately known as Her Majesty The Queen, who goes by the nickname Lilibet. Additionally, her middle name, Diana, was selected to honor her dearly departed grandmother, Princess Diana of Wales.
Similar to her brother, she assumed the title of Princess Lilibet of Sussex upon her grandfather, Charles, ascending the throne as king.
As a fervent admirer, let me share this piece of royal history: I was thrilled when Prince Andrew, the third offspring of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, ascended to the title of Duke of York upon his nuptials with Sarah Ferguson. Even after their divorce, they remain the Duke and Duchess of York. Their first-born, Beatrice Elizabeth Mary, graced us in 1988.
Beatrice, meaning “the bringer of joy,” was the name given to Queen Victoria’s fifth child, a choice that wasn’t among the favorites when forecasters were predicting the name of Queen Victoria’s fifth grandchild. Elizabeth, in turn, serves as a tribute to the queen, whose maternal grandmother was Mary of Teck.
Born as the child of the current king’s son, Beatrice was granted the title of Her Royal Highness and thus, she became known as a princess.
In the year 2020, when the queen married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, she did not bestow a title upon him. As a result, their daughters Sienna and Athena are recognized as members of the Mapelli Mozzi family.
In a different time period, Andrew and Sarah decided to call their second-born child Eugenie Victoria Helena, which refers back to the Victorian era.
Princess Victoria Eugenie, in turn, was the last-born daughter of the previously mentioned Princess Beatrice.
In 2018, Eugenie got married to Jack Brooksbank, but the queen chose not to bestow him with an official title. Therefore, he is still addressed as Mr., while their sons August and Earnest carry the Brooksbank surname.
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2025-03-06 01:21