During a surprise appearance on the latest series of MasterChef Australia, Meghan Markle was asked by contestant and professional chef Poh Ling Yeow how she should be addressed. Yeow inquired, "Do we call you Duchess?" to which the 44-year-old mother of two replied sweetly, "Oh, call me Meghan." The exchange, which aired in July 2026, has reignited public curiosity about the correct way to refer to the former actress and royal.
Official Title vs. Preferred Address
Meghan Markle, who legally changed her surname to Sussex upon marrying Prince Harry in 2018, officially holds the title of Duchess of Sussex. The late Queen Elizabeth II bestowed the titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the couple on their wedding day, and despite stepping back from royal duties in 2020, they have not been stripped of these names. Consequently, the term 'Duchess' still applies to Meghan formally. However, her preference for a less formal address was evident in her response on the cooking show.
Background: Stepping Back from Royal Duties
In 2020, Meghan and Prince Harry announced their decision to step back from their roles as senior working members of the British royal family. This move led to widespread confusion over their titles, as they no longer carried out official engagements. The couple often used their first names during public appearances, and Meghan has previously discussed the matter in a 2025 interview for The Circuit, confirming that she legally changed her surname to Sussex upon marriage. Her official name remains Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, with Sussex serving as the family name.
Clarity on Surname and Family Name
The issue of how to address Meghan surfaced earlier in 2025 during an episode of her Netflix lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan. When Hollywood actress Mindy Kaling referred to her as Meghan Markle, Meghan corrected her, stating, "It's so funny, too, that you keep saying Meghan Markle. You know I'm Sussex now." She explained, "I share my name with my children. 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.'" This clarification underscores the importance she places on the Sussex surname, which she shares with her two children, Archie and Lilibet.
Retention of Ducal Title
Despite the preference for being called Meghan, both she and Prince Harry officially retain their ducal titles. Yeow herself used the formal title during her introduction for Meghan's MasterChef Australia appearance, saying, "All the way from sunny California, please welcome to MasterChef Australia...the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle!" This indicates that while Meghan may prefer a first-name basis, the public and media often continue to use her formal title. The couple's titles were a gift from the late Queen and remain theirs, even as they build a life in California.
