Meghan Markle recently launched her own Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, and one particular moment has sparked controversy, drawing criticism toward the former actress.

While the moment may have seemed minor to some, others quickly picked up on it.

Read on to find out more.

Thomas Markle Speaks Out on Meghan Dropping Their Family Name
Thomas Markle has expressed his disappointment over his daughter, Meghan Markle, deciding to drop their family name. In an interview with the UK’s Daily Mail, he opened up about his feelings regarding the Duchess distancing herself from the Markle name.

The 79-year-old reflected on how his late mother—Meghan’s paternal grandmother—would feel about the situation. “My mum adored Meghan, but she would be heartbroken to hear that Meghan no longer wants to use the name ‘Markle.’ She was proud to be a Markle, and so am I,” he shared.

He also pointed out that Meghan had never had an issue with the name until she married Prince Harry. Sarcastically, he added, “Now, I have to introduce myself as ‘Meghan Sussex’s dad.’”

Beyond the name change, Thomas also weighed in on Meghan’s public persona. Currently residing in the Philippines after moving from Rosarito, Mexico, he shared his thoughts on how she presents herself in the Netflix series.

Though he hasn’t watched the entire show, he has seen clips—and based on what he’s seen, he criticized her portrayal, calling it “inauthentic.” Drawing from his own experience in Hollywood—having worked on productions like Married… with Children and General Hospital—he emphasized that hosting requires genuine enthusiasm. “Cooking shows are painfully dull unless the presenter has real passion for it,” he argued.

According to Thomas, Meghan appears too concerned with looking perfect, making her come across as unnatural on camera. He claimed she meticulously plans everything she says and does, rather than allowing moments to unfold organically.

Having observed her for years, he believes he can tell when she’s performing. “I know when she’s putting on an act for the cameras. She’s trying so hard to appear flawless that she tenses up every time the camera is on her,” he said.

He noted that the best hosts are relaxed, humorous, and unafraid of making mistakes. In his opinion, Meghan should focus less on perfection and embrace more authenticity on screen.

A Strained Father-Daughter Relationship
Thomas Markle and Meghan have been estranged since 2018. He suffered two heart attacks before her wedding and remains confused about why she cut him off, believing it might be related to his absence from the ceremony.

His recent comments have sparked mixed reactions online. One user noted, “The more he talks to the press, the more she’s going to keep her distance from him.” Another, however, sympathized with him, saying, “It’s heartbreaking how she treats her father. He made a mistake, but was it bad enough to warrant being cut off forever?”

Some sided with Thomas, pointing out that he’s aging and has never met his grandchildren. Others, however, defended Meghan, arguing that her father’s repeated public interviews might be why she continues to keep her distance.

Many also noted that changing one’s last name after marriage is a common personal choice, making Meghan’s decision unsurprising.

Meghan Explains Her Name Change
Thomas Markle’s interview followed the release of Meghan’s Netflix series, where she now goes by the surname Sussex.

In an episode featuring Mindy Kaling, Meghan corrected her when she referred to her as Meghan Markle.

“It’s so funny that you keep saying Meghan Markle. You know, I’m Sussex now,” Meghan told Mindy.

She also explained why this shift mattered to her, stating, “When you have kids, you realize how meaningful it is to share a family name. It wasn’t something I expected to feel so deeply, but it truly does. This is our family name—our little family name.”

She had previously expressed similar sentiments in an interview with People magazine. “It’s our shared name as a family, and I didn’t fully grasp how important that would feel until we had children,” she said. “I love that Archie, Lili, H, and I all share this name. It means a lot to me.”

Meghan and Prince Harry were granted the Sussex title by Queen Elizabeth II on their wedding day in 2018. Despite stepping back from royal duties in 2020, they have retained their Duke and Duchess titles.

What Are Your Thoughts?
What do you think about Meghan’s decision to change her last name? Let us know in the comments and share this article to hear what others think!