Meghan Markle's Father, Thomas, Speaks up After She Changed Her Last Name

Thomas Markle has broken his silence on his daughter dropping her surname, revealing in a recent interview that he sees it as a rejection of their family.

Thomas Markle spoke out in a March 9, 2025, interview with The Daily Mail UK, sharing his disappointment over Meghan dropping their family name and criticizing her new Netflix series. His remarks sparked debate online, with mixed reactions from the public.

The 79-year-old revealed how his late mother would have felt about the matter. "My mum loved Meghan very much but she would be so disappointed to hear that Meghan no longer wants to use the name 'Markle.' My mother was proud to be a Markle. So am I," he said.

He claimed the Duchess of Sussex never had an issue with it until she married Prince Harry. Sarcastically, he added, "Now I have to say, 'I am Meghan Sussex's dad.'"

Beyond the name change, Thomas also weighed in on Meghan's public image. Currently living in the Philippines after relocating from Rosarito, Mexico, Thomas shared his thoughts on Meghan's Netflix series, "With Love, Meghan."

Though he hasn't watched it in full, he said he has seen clips and read reports. Based on the footage — showing Meghan beekeeping, cooking, and repackaging store-bought pretzels — he criticized her presentation as "inauthentic."

Drawing from his background in Hollywood — where he worked on productions such as "Married With Children" and "General Hospital" — he argued that hosting requires genuine passion. "Cooking show are horrendously boring unless the presenter has a passion for it, [sic]" he said.

Thomas believes Meghan is too focused on appearing perfect, making her seem unnatural on camera. He claimed she carefully plans everything she says and does rather than being spontaneous.

Having observed her over the years, he said he can tell when she is acting. "I know when she's faking it for the cameras. She's trying so hard to be perfect that she tenses up every time the camera is on her," he explained.

He contrasted this with successful TV personalities, saying the best hosts are relaxed, funny, and unafraid to make mistakes. In his view, Meghan's need for perfection makes her less authentic and overly controlled in her presentation.

Thomas has been estranged from Meghan since 2018, after suffering two heart attacks just before her wedding. He said he still does not understand why she "dumped" him but believes she never forgave him for missing the ceremony.

Many online users reacted to Thomas's comments, with opinions divided over Meghan’s decision and their strained relationship. One person remarked, "The more he talks to the press, the more she's going to keep her distance from him."

Others criticized Meghan for severing ties with her father. "Really sad how she treats her father! Her father made a mistake, it wasn't so horrible to never speak to him again!" another user wrote.

Some went further, accusing the Duchess of mistreating her family. "It's cruel what she put her family through u don’t treat ppl u love like that karma [sic]," a commenter added.

Some expressed sympathy for Thomas, saying he is aging and has never met his grandchildren. They argued that, as Meghan's father, he has the right to share his thoughts on her show and urged Meghan to reconcile with him for the sake of her children.

Others defended Meghan's decision to distance herself, saying Thomas continues to speak to the media, which may be why she avoids contact.

Some weighed in on Meghan's name change, pointing out that she is married and has chosen to go by Meghan Sussex, emphasizing that it was her decision. Another user questioned the controversy, noting that it is common for women to take their husband's last name after marriage.

Meanwhile, others felt Thomas should move on, acknowledging that he made mistakes. They supported Meghan's choice to change her last name and praised her show, eagerly anticipating a second season.

Thomas's interview with The Daily Mail UK came after Meghan stated in her Netflix series, which premiered on March 4, 2025, that she now goes by the surname "Sussex."

The show, which blends cooking, gardening, and decorating, features Meghan hosting celebrity guests. In the second episode, actress and writer Mindy Kaling appeared alongside Meghan, and during their conversation, Meghan corrected Mindy after she referred to her as "Meghan Markle."

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

Meghan also opened up about why this shift in her last name feels so significant. "You have kids and you go, 'No, I share my name with my children and that feels so, I didn't know how meaningful it would be to me but it just feels so much. This is our family name, our little family name," she explained.

Meghan had previously spoken about her attachment to the Sussex name in an interview with People ahead of her show's release.

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

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

Meghan added that the name represents more than just a formal title to her. According to her, the Sussex name, "is part of our love story."

The premiere date of "With Love, Meghan" was originally set for January 2025, but Meghan personally requested to delay the release. According to Netflix, the show's debut was postponed to March 4 in light of the devastating wildfires affecting Los Angeles at the time.

"I'm thankful to my partners at Netflix for supporting me in delaying the launch as we focus on the needs of those impacted by the wildfires in my home state of California," Meghan said.

Throughout the series, Meghan embraces the beauty of everyday moments, encouraging viewers to create beauty even in the unexpected. The show celebrates life in Southern California and showcases her love for cooking, gardening, and hosting.

Meghan's guest list for "With Love, Meghan" includes well-known figures such as chef Roy Choi, farm-to-table pioneer Alice Waters, and actress, Mindy Kaling. Together, they roll up their sleeves to cook, garden, and explore creative ways to make any space feel warm and inviting.

Two months before its premiere, "With Love, Meghan" was already making waves, sparking a flurry of reactions online after Meghan announced the show. Fans and critics alike voiced their opinions, igniting a heated debate across social media.

Originally set to premiere on January 15, the promotional cover image captured a sense of elegance, perfectly reflecting the spirit of the show. Meghan was captured in a stunning long sleeveless dress that flowed gracefully and accentuated her natural poise. Set against a lush green backdrop, the "Suits" star radiated joy as her hair cascaded down her shoulders in soft waves.

At the focus of the image, a wooden table held a vase bursting with vibrant flowers, some of which she delicately arranged in her hands. Her bright smile, paired with the inviting and serene atmosphere, was enough to draw viewers in.

The trailer for "With Love, Meghan" also gave a delightful glimpse into the inviting world Meghan had created. It opened with Meghan in her garden, dressed in a casual outfit and apron, harvesting fresh produce. The scene transitioned seamlessly to her kitchen, where she prepared ingredients for a meal, embodying her love for crafting simple joys.

"I've always loved taking something pretty ordinary and elevating it," Meghan shared. The mom of two was seen slicing into a stunning homemade three-layer cake adorned with strawberries and separated by layers of rich cream.

Her voiceover reflected her passion for making meaningful gestures. She also spoke of how much she enjoyed creating thoughtful treats for others.

The trailer highlighted the vibrant atmosphere of the series. For instance, it showed Meghan laughing with friends like Mindy, sharing homemade drinks and ice creams, and having heartfelt conversations. It even revealed Meghan's foray into beekeeping, as she was shown harvesting honey with evident joy.

As vibrant and celebratory as the series appeared, with its color, good vibes, and emphasis on food and fun, Meghan noted warmly, "We're not in the pursuit of perfection."

The Duchess added, "We're in the pursuit of joy. Love is in the details." This sentiment shone through in a tender moment with her husband, Prince Harry, who wrapped her in a loving embrace as they enjoyed drinks together in their sunlit garden.

The trailer left some viewers enchanted, offering a heartfelt promise of love, laughter, and genuine connection in every episode. However, other people felt like the lifestyle series had been overdone, with many sharing why they wouldn't tune in.

One unimpressed viewer bluntly shared their stance, "Dont [sic] wanna watch it, will put dislike button on it." Another user echoed a similar statement, "Defiantly not watching." A harsher critic dismissed the show outright, "Wont [sic] be watching. Just a money grabber."

Taking the critique a step further, someone showcased a deeply personal disdain, "No one I know will be tuning in. Can't stand someone who is two faced [sic] and turns their back on not one but two families." Another dismissive comment highlighted a user's frustration with the perceived content of the series, "Just flashing her rich, privileged life."

Others found the concept unoriginal, with one person quipping, "Martha already did this. Next," a reference to lifestyle mogul Martha Stewart's past ventures. Martha's TV series "Martha Stewart Living," ran from 1996 to 2004 and gave users tips on cooking, gardening, and flower arrangement.

However, not all reactions were negative. A fan offered their support, "Congratulations Meghan I will be watching. It sounds great 👍." Another supporter celebrated Meghan's efforts, "Meghan is thriving and happy, and doing good things. If anyone has a complaint on this. They are in fact tools 😒."

A more open-minded commenter added a dose of reality to the heated debate, "I'll tune in and have a look I can't believe how many people personally know this couple and go on what other people say and all your families must be perfect."

Meghan's eight-episode lifestyle show is not just a reflection of her personal transformation but also a significant element of the $100 million Netflix partnership she shares with Harry.

Mindy was excited when Meghan asked her to be part of her show. She revealed in an interview that her friend texted her when she was two months postpartum. "The Office" star was thrilled about the chance to hang out with Meghan and eat great food.

However, as much as Meghan's show reflects the idea that she is inviting her friends and viewers into her home, media reports have revealed that the scenes were shot in a place that isn't her own. The show is filmed in a huge estate two miles from where the Duchess lives with her husband and two kids.

This mansion, owned by Montecito's influential Cipolla family, is worth $8 million and consists of eight acres of avocado trees and lemon groves.

The owners of the 4,500 square feet home, Tom and Sherrie Cipolla, are famous philanthropists. The residence boasts four bedrooms and four bathrooms, featuring elegant French doors that lead to a patio, a lush lawn, and magnificent views of the surrounding mountains.

Therefore, while Meghan is offering viewers a glimpse into her life, it's important to note that this is not her personal residence. Instead, she's choosing to share the joys of gardening, friendship, and entertaining in the luxurious home of the Cipolla family, all while keeping her own home private.

This is not Meghan's first venture into the lifestyle brand space. In 2024, she launched American Riviera Orchard, a brand that focuses on home, garden, food, and general lifestyle products.

Furthermore, Meghan has been gradually returning to social media, sharing glimpses of her life. In 2025, she made her comeback on Instagram by launching a new account on New Year's Day, debuting with a beach video reportedly filmed by Harry. Her fans are eager to see what comes next for her.