This was a top royal story at the Daily Mail last weekend: “I think I’ve discovered Meghan’s secret plan for if – or when – William strips away the Sussexes’ royal titles.” Columnist Sharon Hunt is on the case! So what is the Duchess of Sussex’s “secret plan” for when Scooter King William throws a hissy fit about the Sussex ducal title? Well, as Hunt brilliantly deduces given the wealth of personal statements made by Meghan just this year, Meghan plans to continue to use “Sussex” as a surname. Gasp, horror, brand new information!
The historic move [to remove Prince Andrew’s titles] underscores the Royal Family’s readiness to safeguard its reputation by stripping titles when necessary. It also brought to mind a recent report by Tom Sykes, the well-connected royal correspondent for The Daily Beast, who believes that Prince William, when he becomes king, will formally revoke Meghan and Harry’s dukedoms. To be clear, the Sussexes’ conduct since stepping back from their royal roles bears no comparison to the gravity of the allegations against Andrew. Not even close.
Yet this week’s developments reveal a modernised Royal Family unwilling to sidestep controversy – and prepared to act decisively when titles become untenable. Recent reports indicate that William had a firm hand in the removal of Andrew’s titles. Inevitably, the unfolding drama has reignited long-standing whispers about the future king’s intentions for Harry and Meghan’s titles. Such talk has simmered for years, with royal insiders and commentators hinting it’s only a matter of time once William takes the crown.
But perhaps a subtle clue was overlooked: the Sussexes may have already laid the groundwork for this eventuality – with a strategy to preserve their brand, even if their titles are no more. Let’s revisit a viral moment from season one of Netflix’s With Love, Meghan. One of the show’s standout scenes – now widely shared online – appears in episode two, where Meghan is joined by celebrity guest Mindy Kaling. While cooking together in a Montecito kitchen, a particular exchange caught viewers’ attention. It began with Mindy joking about Meghan’s teenage fondness for a popular American fast-food chain.
‘I don’t think anyone knows Meghan Markle has eaten Jack in the Box – and loves it,’ Mindy quipped. But rather than letting the joke land, Meghan interjected with a correction.
‘It’s so funny too, that you keep saying “Meghan Markle” – you know I’m Sussex now,’ Meghan said. ‘When 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, but it just means so much to go, “This is our family name, our little family name.”‘
Yes, our first instinct may have been to cringe at the terse dressing-down. But in doing so, did we overlook a telling clue about the Sussexes’ long-term strategy to safeguard their royal brand?
As Meghan and Harry continue forging their path in the US, their connection to the core Royal Family grows increasingly tenuous. A time may come when King Charles – or more likely his successor – finds cause to formally revoke their titles as Duke and Duchess of Sussex. In anticipation of such a shift, have the couple – Meghan in particular – made the strategic move to adopt ‘Sussex’ as a de facto family surname? If so, it’s a shrewd piece of forward planning. Repurposing a royal title as a family name ensures the regal association endures – even if the formal honours are one day withdrawn.
To our knowledge, nothing prevents the former senior working royal from legally adopting ‘Meghan Sussex’ as her name in California. Their days as part of the ‘Fab Four’ may be behind them, but what has consistently underpinned their ventures in America – especially the lucrative ones – is that prized, intangible link to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex title. If my suspicions are correct, Meghan has quietly executed a masterstroke here. By transforming a royal designation that can be taken away into a family identity for her and Harry, she is securing her own dynasty. It means that whatever Prince William’s future plans, there will always be a Sussex stronghold in California. Bravo, Meghan.
Months later, it’s still so telling that they refer to that With Love, Meghan scene as a “dressing down” or something about how Meghan was “frosty” or “furious.” Meghan stated a preference without even having to say “please don’t refer to me by my maiden name.” The commentary on that moment was fascinating, because it became a window into what it was like for Meghan in that dreadful place, with people accusing her of bullying for simply correcting someone or stating a preference. Anyway, yeah, breaking news, they use Sussex as a surname. They’ve used Sussex as their surname since 2023, when Charles dithered about their titles. It’s not some kind of PR masterstroke, it’s simply Meghan and Harry wanting a family name for themselves and their children, and for that name to reflect their marriage. It’s not a coincidence that all of this talk about title-stripping would effectively stop Meghan from using her married name, her title.
Photos courtesy of Meghan’s Instagram and Beyonce’s site.
They do love to frame her as some kind of criminal mastermind, don’t they? Only a brilliant schemer could marry into the royal family and execute the master stroke of leaving it all behind, with her husband! Un-freakin’-believable.
Meghan the evil genius according to the fail was just a distraction article because Chuck was dithering around about his pedo brother.
The only royal family members who use Windsor or Mountbatten-Windsor are those without Prince/Princess titles styled HRH. Standard custom and practice, not a decision masterminded by Meghan. These people are stark raving bonkers and pig ignorant. Not necessarily in that order 😅🤣😂
They have already changed their names to Sussex – which is legal for them to do.
That’s what I thought. I asked this in a thread yesterday and then googled it. Their children use Sussex. They still use their titles as legal names (in the US you can petition for any legal name you want as long as it’s not to commit fraud) but they consider Sussex their family name. Realistically, the BRF has zero control over what they call themselves in the US. I could change my legal name to HRH Duchess Molly if I wanted.
But the point is there is zero chance they’ll ever use M-W.
I imagine that when Lili was born, Meghan and Harry legally and confidentially changed all their last names to Sussex, they know how Harry’s family, mostly his brother, are and they wanted to be prepared.
I agree with you. They know how Peg works or I should say hates!
I didn’t see them doing it when Lily was born, I saw them doing it when enrolling the children in school and/or when Henry Charles Albert David Mountbatten Windsor attempted to fit all that on a California driver’s license. But yes, they’ve made Sussex their legal last name and there’s nothing that William can do about it.
Also, the palace was slow walking the passports or something iirc. That’s when Harry even considered Spencer as a surname.
Yes, I’m sure they have.
you mean the secret plan she revealed on a Netflix series to a crew of 80 on the set, her celebrity guest, and the millions watching worldwide? ….sheesh. Criminal mastermind, indeed!!!
Shhhhhh, it’s a SECRET plot!
🤫
Last names are not optional here. You have to have one. It makes sense that a mother wants to share a name with her kids. It’s not some secret plan to give the middle finger to her inlaws. That’s just a bonus lol. Stay mad, Salt Island.
Zing! 😁
I think they should legally change their surname to “of Sussex,” and Harry should change his first name to “Prince Harry.” F those crusty a-holes in the UK.
A la ‘Mister T’….I love the idea.
Brilliant! And absolutely hilarious. So wish they would actually do this. Heads would explode.
It would be so very funny. And it would give the media/palace years of crying/screaming/throwing up about how they’re NOTHING without the NAME.
As Harry surfs ands leads charity endeavors, and Meghan builds an incredibly successful business, and leads charity endeavors.
Rich. Tan. Unbothered.
That whole- living well is the best revenge.
The Sussexes get that.
They can change their names to whatever they want in America. Like Prince Rogers Nelson, Harry can legally be Prince Henry if he wants to, or Prince Henry Sussex, or FU William, or whatever name he picks. Meghan can legally be Princess Meghan, or Duchess Sussex, or whatever the heck she wants to be, because this is America.
(… you know that was Prince’s given birth name, though, right?)
Yes! I hope this gets back to the BM who (along with Bulliam) continue to hang the whole titles issue over H&M’s heads to feel that they have the power to humiliate H&M. They just don’t get it that nobody uses royal titles in the US. The Sussexes will still be the Sussexes enjoying their beautiful lives while Bulliam stews in his angry, petty juices and the BM circles the drain.
A secret plan that she clearly laid out and stated months ago. I think that they are really worried that if William takes the titles from them, all it is going to do is highlight how the titles didn’t mean anything. Because I don’t see their popularity, importance, and influence waning but it will take away a ridiculous talking point. They still try to pretend that people like them because of and not in spite of those titles that are linked to an increasingly depraved family.
Without the titles, there’s even less justification for their media intrusion, there’s nothing for William to hold over their heads, and the media and these royalist fans won’t be able to say the only reason that they are invited to events, or get attention, or Meghan’s business succeeds is because she is the Duchess of Sussex. I think the media is starting to realize that, even if they didn’t have the titles they aren’t just going to fade away and they don’t know how they are going to explain that not happening.
Peggs will go after Harry and Meghan’s charities. Are they really all that worried about Peggs the Petty? Peggs is going to implode with his rage issues. imo. Counseling is needed.
Go after the charities and wreck them, just as he did with Sentebale. And never mind the victims.
I think it’s great if they formally changed their surname to Sussex, in addition to it being their title. These Brits refer to her as Markle to eliminate the thought of she and Harry being a family. But they are a family and can have any name they choose as their family name. And William, being the petty B that he is, cannot do anything to change that even if he does take the titles away. They will still be the Sussex family, and the royalists can choke on that all day long.
H&M were prepared to give up the titles, and don’t use them publicly anyway. So it won’t have any detrimental effect on their wellbeing. Besides everyone would still call him Prince Harry – the same way we still call Twitter Twitter.
I think they refer to her as Markle for the same reason they refer to “Kate Middleton”: clicks, name recognition.
I think – in both Meghan’s and Kate’s case – it is meant to be a demeaning microaggression. They are signaling that neither of them is truly a part of the family. That they are commoners.
Mostly I just think they’re doing it to be rude.
Catgotmytougue, I think you are right. And it is rude, neither lady has expressed a desire to be known by their maiden names.
They don’t refer to sophiesta by her Maiden name. Never have since she got married
@Kingston, exactly!! Nobody refers to her as Sophie Rhys Jones. And I’ve seen plenty of occasions where she’s been referred to as Sophie Wessex pre the promotion to Edinburgh. These people know exactly how it works, they just choose to act clueless.
Ummm, didn’t she already say that? Uh-oh, hold the presses! Yeesh. Anyways. Harry Sussex. Meghan Sussex. Archie Sussex. Lili Sussex. Sounds like a sweet family to me.
Once again, what is the truth about the titles, and which titles? If I understand things, the only titles William could take would be the HRH and he could write new LP to take the Prince/princess titles from Lilibet and Archie. He can’t take the Prince and Duke titles without permission of Parliament. If there are already objections about removing Andrew’s titles in Parliament then why are they acting like William could snap his fingers and take Harry’s? As for the HRH, Diana, Duchess of Windsor and even Fergie either lost or never had it and somehow were still able to get by.
Now that Andrew has been disposed of, the stupid is back. Didn’t take long.
I had hoped it would be the middle of next week before they went back to Harry and Meghan, and they sound so gleeful. Sick. Don’t they know the difference between Sticking up for your wife who was bullied out of her job and having sex with trafficked minors,
These people, JFC! Harry is the son of the King (and the still-beloved Diana). That will never change. Get a life and move on, Sharon.
H&M have no loyalty to Sussex. It’s a place and a placeholder. QEII could have named Harry Duke of Slough for all it means to him and his family. When Angelina’s kids dropped their abusive father’s last name there was a joyous round of applause. If H&M decided to drop their abusive family’s bestowed last name, I would expect a similar chorus of cheers.
Ohn, Harry wouldn’t have a last name. Oh, they can use Mountbatten-Windsor, but if you think the brf and bm would not shout about that forevermore then you need to rethink it. I think changing everyone’s last name to Sussex makes sense. If they don’t use that name, they can always use Spencer. I can guarantee that that would send up screeches heard around the world.
Too much energy is being wasted thinking about what William MIGHT do or how the BRF MIGHT react if x,y and z happens to the Sussex name. For now, I’m okay with what DID happen to Andrew.
They have already changed their last names to Sussex, no? I bet you can see this on their passports. In the U.S. they can call themselves whatever they like.
when it is “necessary”? So Scoot’s anger issues with his brother make it “necessary.” This is all going to get out of control if Scoot’s rage causes removal of titles.
“From legally adopting Megan Sussex in California…” ummmm…you don’t just adopt a legal name in a state. When you change your name legally, it changes. Everywhere. It changes on your driver’s licence…and your passport, that you use to apply for visas to live in other countries.
If her name is legally Megan Sussex and she moved back to the UK for any reason, they cannot simply refuse to use that name. It’s her legal name — not just in California. It follows her, not the state or country she lives in.
That was funny. I legitimately believe that these people think that if William takes their titles away from them, that he will be able to decide what their official legal name is. They have no concept of autonomy and the fact that William can’t make unilateral legal decisions for adults.
The haters dont realize that America won a war 250 years ago, that means we dont care or follow what William says about anything.
It’s like they don’t understand how vital documents work. Your name at birth doesn’t follow you for eternity because it’s not linked to your class and no one cares.
Still think they should have gone for “Spencer”, or, even, “Ragland”.
Spencer-Ragland has a nice ring to it. If Salt Island wants to get weird, there are plenty of recognizable options that they can be proud of and still be who there are: Diana’s best son and Doria’s glorious daughter.
I like Sussex, it’s cocking a snoot at William, besides I spent the happy days of my childhood in Sussex.
❤️
Harry & William both used Wales as a surname before QEII died, a ducal or princely title being used a last name isn’t new for them? That being said, her name is Meghan, Duchess of Sussex but naturally that’s a lot for a license here. It makes sense for them to just use Sussex as a family name.
The family last name comes from the husband yet blame Meghan for “making the move” to pick a last name for herself only as if it is some kind of con? Give me a break. They criticize Meghan for being a woke feminist and when she said she wanted the most traditional thing as a wife and mother that is to share a last name with her kids and husband, she is a mastermind of some sort. I can’t with these people.
They’re just plain old haters and what they write is word salad. It’s irrational Meghan hatred which they keep trying to rationalize – that’s not ever going to work.
This can all be traced back to the original sin from when Diana married into the royal family. No newspaper or other media, not even the BBC, was going to refer to Diana as Princess Charles, her “correct” title. So most outlets called her Diana Spenser if they weren’t using Princess of Wales or Princess Diana. Thus the tradition of referring to royal wives by their maiden names began.
And Prince Philip bears a chunk of the blame. If he hadn’t demanded the switch to the clunky and too long for headlines Mountbatten-Windsor, Windsor would be right there as a simple surname for all the family to use.
Oddly, I just realized that Meghan grew up with a different surname than her mom.
I also grew up with a different surname than my mom, and COMPLETELY understand why Meghan wanted all four family members to share the same surname. Part of the family ties that bond.
Agree they use ‘Markle’ to bring her down. And to associate her w/her horrible dad. Same for K middleton. Something I never understood though is why she is Kate with a K but Catherine with a C….wouldn’t it be Kate with a K then Katherine or Catherine with Cate as the nickname?
I don’t see what the big deal is. William and Kate use Wales as their surname and before they used Cambridge.
Besides the obvious that the Sussexes gov’t ID name is already Sussex for the whole family, two things stood out. They don’t think this will happen under Charles and William needs to find cause. Calling your brother a bald-headed incandescent leaker and your SIL a sneaky liar doesn’t seem like enough but William will find a way. He has no financial or real estate leverage so if he manages to take the titles then what? He thinks they’re not gonna work or support the causes they advocate for? He’ll still be jealous and angry and they’ll still overshadow him. Those he demands loyalty from will know it’s very conditional. Good luck with that.
They’re certainly not going to saddle their kids with Mountbatten-Windsor, especially now that it’s Pedrew’s surname, but even before that, Mountbatten was a monster, too, and who wants name that unwieldy? Of course they’re named Sussex.
Sharon Hunt is a moron.
Removing Harry + Meghan titles before the Invictus Games in Birmingham?
William is vindictive and stupid, but …
Aw – who knows?
The Mountbatten name is the name of a serial child abuser . More of this story will come out as pressure grows in the Epstein files enquiry and the raised awareness of privileged cover ups.
I have never understood how Catherine allowed her child to be named Louis Mountbatten ‘in honour’ of Prince Philip’s uncle Lord Louis Mountbatten.
If anyone wants to change their name it will be this child in years to come when he discovers who this man was and what he did without any accountability and a Royal funeral.