Residents of Sussex have expressed mixed feelings regarding Meghan Markle’s recent declaration that she uses “Sussex” as her surname, despite having only visited the area once. This announcement came during the second episode of her Netflix cookery show, “With Love, Meghan,” where she corrected her friend Mindy Kaling, stating, “It’s so funny, too, that you keep saying Meghan Markle. You know I’m Sussex now.” The Duchess of Sussex, 43, referred to her title as part of her identity in a moment that seemed to elicit an uncomfortable exchange with Kaling.

Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry, were formally given the titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex upon their marriage in 2018. However, their engagement with the county associated with their titles has been minimal; they have only officially visited Sussex once, for a brief six-hour tour involving stops in Brighton, Chichester, Peacehaven, and Bognor on October 3, 2018. Local sentiments reflect a desire for the Duchess to establish a more tangible connection with the region.

Jeff Hall, a 56-year-old resident of Lewes, remarked, “I’m sure the Sussex title is a very lucrative thing to have and, having married into the Royal family, she should be able to use it.” However, he added that her solitary visit in eight years was insufficient, suggesting, “If she is going to use it then I would like to see her over in the county a bit more.” His brother, Colin Hall, who operates Hall’s Fruits, echoed this sentiment, arguing that if Meghan is to claim the Sussex title, “she should get involved in a children’s charity or do something else worthwhile in the county.”

Other residents have been less supportive of the Duchess’s assertion. Eleanor Feltham expressed scepticism, calling it “quite preposterous” that Meghan has not spent a night in Sussex, and suggested that she seemed disconnected from the realities of the region. “She appears to live in quite a strange La La world,” she stated. Bryan Jenkins, a 72-year-old from Lewes, stated, “She can call herself what she wants but she seems to suggest she has an affinity with Sussex which is nonsense.”

However, opinions varied among locals. Nigel Large, a market trader, dismissed the issue entirely, saying, “I really don’t care whether she uses the name or not.” In contrast, younger residents expressed confusion over her continued association with Sussex, with one student, Josie, suggesting that those who step away from the Royal Family should relinquish their titles altogether. Another local, Jessie Oaks, pointed out that the situation shouldn’t bother people, stating, “I think people need to get over themselves.”

Felicity Roder from Storrington provided a more nuanced view, suggesting that Meghan’s use of the name raises questions about her motivations, asking, “Is it because she has a deep affinity with Britain and Sussex in particular? Or does it highlight her British and Royal connection and thereby make her more marketable in America?” Meanwhile, Bettina, a visual artist from Brighton, expressed understanding of Meghan’s position, noting, “She married Harry so I suppose she can call herself anything she likes.”

The historical significance of Sussex, which was part of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom and later included in the Kingdom of Wessex, adds another layer to discussions about its titles and identity. The region is known for its picturesque landscapes, including the South Downs National Park and the white cliffs of Beachy Head. As residents continue to articulate their perspectives, Meghan Markle’s connection to Sussex remains a topic of ongoing interest and debate.

Source: Noah Wire Services