When Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, welcomed their first child, Archie Harrison, in May 2019, his surname was listed as Mountbatten-Windsor on the birth certificate.
That same surname was later given to his younger sister, Lilibet, who was christened in March 2023 at a private ceremony. Her full name was recorded as Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, according to Vogue.
From Mountbatten-Windsor to Sussex
Today, Archie and Lilibet hold royal titles as Prince and Princess, and their surname has changed as well. This shift stems from changes in the line of succession following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Although Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties in 2020, they retained their Sussex titles. Under royal tradition, surnames for family members often change in line with titles. For example, Prince William and Princess Kate, as the Prince and Princess of Wales, have children known as George Wales, Charlotte Wales, and Louis Wales.
Before his marriage, Harry’s surname was also Wales. But in May 2018, when Queen Elizabeth granted him the title Duke of Sussex, Meghan took on the Sussex surname upon their wedding.
A Shift in Succession
When Queen Elizabeth died on 8 September 2022, Charles became King, and William moved up as heir to the throne. This succession change also advanced Harry and his children in the royal order, paving the way for Archie and Lilibet to be formally recognized as Prince and Princess.
According to Meghan, Charles’ accession also meant their children could now use the surname Sussex rather than Mountbatten-Windsor. Their official names are listed as Archie Harrison, Prince of Sussex, and Lilibet Diana, Princess of Sussex.
Meghan on Embracing the Sussex Name
Meghan revealed the significance of this change during an episode of her Netflix series, Love Meghan. The topic came up after actress Mindy Kaling referred to her as “Meghan Markle.”
“I don’t think anyone in the world knows that Meghan Markle has eaten Jack in the Box and loves it,” Mindy joked, after Meghan admitted to enjoying the fast food chain.
Meghan responded by pointing out that she no longer goes by Markle:
“It’s so funny you keep saying Meghan Markle, you know I’m Sussex now,” she explained. “You have kids and you go, ‘No, I share my name with my children.’ 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.'”
To that, Mindy replied warmly: “Well, now I know and I love it.”