Meghan Markle called wrong name on Australian TV despite previous request

Dorothy Reddin
Wed, 15 Apr 2026 21:18:51 +0000

Meghan Markle was called by her maiden name on Australian TV, after previously insisting that a close friend call her "Meghan Sussex".

The Duchess of Sussex surprised fans when she appeared in a teaser clip of MasterChef Australia in Melbourne on Wednesday.

Judge Poh Ling Yeow presented the 44-year-old to contestants using both her royal designation and birth name.

"We've had MasterChef royalty in the kitchen before, but nothing like this," Ms Yeow declared in a preview clip shared on Instagram.

"All the way from sunny California, please welcome to MasterChef Australia...the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle!" she continued.

The appearance, filmed during the couple's current Australian visit, will air when the new series launches on Sunday, April 19.

The introduction stands in notable contrast to an exchange during the duchess's Netflix series With Love, Meghan, where she corrected friend Mindy Kaling for using her maiden name.

When Ms Kaling remarked that "people wouldn't believe that Meghan Markle ate at Jack in the Box," the former working royal interjected.

"It's so funny, too, that you keep saying 'Meghan Markle.' You know I'm 'Sussex' now," Meghan responded.

She emphasised that having children had made the shared family name deeply meaningful to her.

Following that correction, the duchess was subsequently introduced as Meghan Sussex during an appearance on the Drew Barrymore Show.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex received their titles from Queen Elizabeth upon their wedding in 2018, retaining them after departing from official royal duties two years later.

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Speaking to People in 2025, Meghan explained the significance of the Sussex name to her family.

"It's our shared name as a family, and I guess I hadn't recognised how meaningful that would be to me until we had children," she said. "I love that that is something that Archie, Lili, H and I all have together."

During their Australian trip, the couple have taken a relaxed approach to formalities, with an aide telling hospital staff that "Harry and Meghan is fine."