Meghan Markle Corrects Mindy Kaling’s Awkward Slip-Up: ‘You Know I’m Sussex Now’

Meghan Markle is making sure everyone gets her name right. The Duchess of Sussex put Mindy Kaling on the spot during her Netflix series, "With Love, Meghan," which debuted March 4. The show invites celebrity friends and chefs to join Markle as she shares tips on cooking, gardening, and hosting.

In the second episode, Markle joined forces with Kaling for a garden tea party designed for kids. Their collaboration stemmed from a virtual friendship that began when Kaling appeared on Markle’s "Archetypes" podcast in 2022. Apparently, email pen pals are still a thing in Hollywood.

While reminiscing in the kitchen, Markle opened up about her childhood, describing herself as a "latchkey kid" who grew up with fast food and TV tray dinners—think Taco Bell and Jack in the Box. When Kaling quipped, "People wouldn’t believe that Meghan Markle ate at Jack in the Box," Markle, smiling, corrected her, saying, "It’s so funny, too, that you keep saying Meghan Markle. You know I’m Sussex now." Touché!

Markle elaborated on why the "Sussex" name holds special meaning for her. "You have kids, and you go, ‘No, I share my name with my children,’" she said. "It means so much to go, ‘This is our family name, our little family name.’" And honestly, it’s pretty sweet.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex famously stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and have since settled in Montecito, California, raising their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Despite ditching the royal spotlight, their titles remain intact.

In an interview with People magazine, Markle shared how the Sussex name has become a symbol of love for their family. "I love that that is something that Archie, Lili, H [Prince Harry] and I all have together," she said, adding that it’s "a huge part of our love story." Apparently, even royal romances come with their own branding.

Queen Elizabeth II originally granted the Sussex titles to Harry and Markle when they married in 2018. Now, Archie and Lilibet proudly carry the family name, which replaced their original "Mountbatten-Windsor" monikers after King Charles III ascended the throne in 2022.

While Markle often mentions her children on the show, they don’t actually appear. Harry made a cameo in the final episode alongside Markle’s mother, Doria Ragland. Reflecting on parenting, Markle said, "It’s a real delight to be a present parent. It’s a luxury because we all have to work." Spoken like a true working mom, royal status aside.