Meghan Markle’s decision to change her last name to Sussex after marrying Prince Harry has sparked a mix of emotions, particularly from her estranged father, Thomas Markle. In a recent interview with the Daily Mail, Thomas expressed his disapproval of Meghan’s choice to drop the Markle name, a decision he believes would have disappointed his late wife, Doria Ragland. “My mum loved Meghan very much, but she would be so disappointed to hear that Meghan no longer wants to use the name Markle,” Thomas, 80, shared. He emphasized how proud he and his mother were of the Markle name, stating, “My mother was proud to be a Markle. So am I.” Thomas, a retired TV lighting director, also claimed that Meghan “never had a problem” with her maiden name until she met Prince Harry. Now, he jokingly complaints, “I have to say, ‘I am Meghan Sussex’s dad.’” This sentiment reflects his apparent discomfort with her new identity as a member of the British royal family.
Meghan, 43, has embraced her new surname and recently showcased it in her Netflix series With Love, Meghan, which premiered last week. In Episode 2 of the lifestyle show, she politely corrected her guest, actor Mindy Kaling, who repeatedly referred to her as “Meghan Markle.” Meghan clarified, “It’s so funny, too, that you keep saying Meghan Markle. You know I’m Sussex now.” Kaling appeared momentarily shocked but quickly accepted the correction, telling Meghan, “Now I know. And I love it.” For Meghan, the decision to take her husband’s last name holds deep meaning. She explained that sharing the same surname with Harry, 40, and their two children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3, feels deeply personal and symbolic of their family bond. “You have kids, and you go, ‘No, I share my name with my children,’” she said. “It just means so much to go, ‘This is our family name, our little family name.’”
Despite Meghan’s heartfelt reasoning, her father remains unaccepting. Thomas admitted he hasn’t watched the show in full but has seen clips and read reviews. He described Meghan as coming across as “inauthentic” in her on-screen persona, adding, “Cooking shows are horrendously boring unless the presenter has a passion for it. You have to be authentic to hold people’s attention. When you are stuffing the turkey’s ass, it has to look like you’re having fun doing it.” He criticized Meghan for being overly rehearsed and calculated, saying, “She has to think about everything. She’s not spontaneous. Everything she says is pre-planned and rehearsed,” which makes him laugh because he recognizes her expressions and mannerisms. Thomas also accused Meghan of trying too hard to be perfect, stating, “I know when she’s faking it for the cameras. She’s trying so hard to be perfect that she tenses up every time the camera is on her.”
Thomas’ harsh words reflect a larger tension in his relationship with Meghan, which has been strained for years. His comments about her lack of authenticity seem to echo his disappointment in how their relationship has evolved—or, rather, deteriorated. While Meghan’s new show aims to showcase her passions and personality, Thomas’ criticism suggests he feels she is not being her true self in her public life. He even went so far as to say, “The best cooks are funny, they mess up, they are human. She just wants to be perfect,” and added, “It’s sad because she’s trying so hard to stay in the limelight.”
Despite the mixed reviews With Love, Meghan received from critics, Netflix has already begun filming the second season of the show, which is set to premiere in the fall. While some viewers praised Meghan’s warmth and charm, others echoed Thomas’ sentiments, describing her as overly polished or unrelatable. Nevertheless, the show’s renewal indicates that there is still a strong interest in Meghan’s life and personality. Her ability to connect with audiences may depend on striking the right balance between being authentic and meeting the high expectations of her public image.
In the end, the controversy surrounding Meghan’s surname and her relationship with her father highlights the complex dynamics of family, identity, and fame. While Meghan seems to have embraced her new name and role as a mother and wife, Thomas continues to grapple with the loss of the Markle legacy and his strained connection to his daughter. Their story serves as a reminder of how personal choices, especially those made in the public eye, can spark strong emotions and debates about authenticity, tradition, and the challenges of maintaining relationships in the face of change and fame.
