Meghan Markle Shuts Down Mindy Kaling’s Slip-Up in Netflix Series: “You Know I’m Sussex Now”
The Duchess of Sussex made a splash with her new Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, which dropped on March 4. The show—which feels part lifestyle guide, part celebrity hangout—features Meghan sharing her personal tips on everything from cooking to gardening, with some famous friends joining in along the way.
One of those A-list guests is The Office star Mindy Kaling. But things took an unexpected turn during the second episode when Kaling made a slip-up that Meghan just couldn’t let slide.
As the two bonded over preparing a children’s garden tea party, Meghan reminisced about her childhood, describing herself as a “latchkey kid” who grew up on fast food and TV dinners. “I grew up with that and watching Jeopardy! and having a lot of fast food—Taco Bell, Jack in the Box,” Meghan shared.
Kaling responded, “People wouldn’t believe that Meghan Markle ate at Jack in the Box.”
Meghan, with a knowing smile, gently called her out: “It’s so funny, too, that you keep saying Meghan Markle. You know I’m Sussex now.”
The moment was lighthearted, but it carried meaning for Meghan, who took a moment to reflect on just how much the Sussex name means to her.
“You have kids, and you go, ‘No, I share my name with my children,’” she explained. “I didn’t know how meaningful that would be to me, but it just means so much to go, ‘This is our family name, our little family name.’”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been carving out a new life for themselves since stepping down as senior royals in 2020. Now settled in Montecito, California, Meghan and Harry are raising their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, in an ultra-private and luxurious environment.
Meghan recently spoke to People magazine about why the Sussex name holds a special place in her heart.
“I love that that is something that Archie, Lili, H [Prince Harry] and I all have together,” she said. “It means a lot to me.”
She even got sentimental about how their family identity is woven into their love story.
“I think as the kids get older, they’re so excited about, ‘Oh my gosh, Mama and Papa, how did you meet?’ I think that will come with time as they get older, but for right now, a huge part of our love story is that we share the name Sussex.”
For those who need a refresher, Queen Elizabeth II officially gave Harry and Meghan the Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles when they married in 2018. Their children, five-year-old Archie and three-year-old Lilibet, now use Sussex as their surname, following royal family tradition.
One thing’s for sure: Whether she’s sharing lifestyle tips or subtly reminding the world of her royal status, Meghan Markle—sorry, Sussex—knows exactly who she is.
