Mindy Kaling had no idea what she was signing up for when she agreed to appear on With Love, Megan, the latest Netflix special produced by Meghan Markle.
What seemed like an innocent chat about childhood memories and a fun-filled kids' party quickly took an unexpected turn. Episode 2, titled Welcome to the Party, delivered more than just cake and decorations—it became a masterclass in royal branding. During their conversation, Mindy casually referred to Meghan as "Meghan Markle," as any reasonable person would, given that’s how the world knows her. But this, as it turned out, was a serious misstep.
Meghan, with a carefully measured tone that barely concealed her irritation, quickly corrected her. "It’s so funny that you keep saying 'Meghan Markle.' You know, I’m Sussex now," she remarked. Mindy’s face immediately registered confusion. You could almost hear her internal monologue: Wait, what? That’s not how names work. The general public doesn’t call her that, and for good reason. But Meghan was undeterred, pressing on with an explanation about how she shares her name with her children. "Sussex is our family name," she declared, completely ignoring the fact that Sussex is a geographic location, not a surname. Traditionally, a married woman takes her husband’s actual last name—Windsor, in this case—if royal conventions are to be followed.
Ever the polite guest, Mindy nodded along, offering a vague acknowledgment like, "Well, now I know and love it." But her face told a different story, and the internet wasted no time dissecting every micro-expression. The rapid blinking, the hesitant nods, the barely concealed disbelief—it was all there. The best part? The camera subtly cut away to the back of Mindy’s head for an awkwardly long moment, as if trying to hide whatever reaction was undoubtedly playing across her face.
This exchange is just another chapter in Meghan’s ongoing identity rebrand. She’s been an actress, a royal, and later, a vocal critic of the monarchy, painting herself as a victim of its cold and oppressive ways. Yet now, the title she once seemed eager to escape has suddenly become central to her identity. The irony is hard to ignore. After all, this is the same woman who famously refused to call Catherine by her proper name, opting instead for the informal (and widely criticized) "Kate Middleton." But suddenly, how her name is spoken is of utmost importance.
Even more glaring is the contradiction between Meghan’s past criticisms of the royal family and her clear attachment to the Sussex title. She has spent years accusing the institution of racism, cruelty, and neglect, even claiming she was suicidal under its control. And yet, the name remains—a lifeline in the turbulent waters of public perception. If the monarchy was truly as toxic as she claimed, why cling to one of its defining symbols?
It also raises the question: where were Meghan’s usual allies? The ones well-trained to refer to her as "The Duchess of Sussex" without hesitation? Surely, Serena Williams or Priyanka Chopra would have been safer conversational partners. Instead, Mindy unknowingly walked into an etiquette lesson she never asked for—a lesson in what happens when you step into Meghan’s world, where every mention of her name is a carefully curated branding exercise.
