Drew Barrymore Addresses Meghan Markle As 'Meghan Sussex' On Her Show As The Royal Embraces Her Title

Drew Barrymore is the first celebrity to refer to Meghan Markle as “Meghan Sussex” after the royal talked about embracing the name she shares with Prince Harry and their kids.

Meghan, appearing on Barrymore’s talk show, explained that the Sussex name is central to their love story and will grow more meaningful for their children.

Previously, on her Netflix show, Meghan corrected Mindy Kaling on her name, reminding the actress that she is "Sussex now."

In the latest episode of "The Drew Barrymore Show," Barrymore used Meghan's royal title to introduce the duchess, referring to her as "Meghan Sussex" instead of her maiden name, "Markle."

The sweet moment came when Barrymore introduced the Fast Five segment, saying, "This is the Fast Five with Meghan Sussex."

Meghan appeared on the talk show today, where she discussed her life with Prince Harry and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

Barrymore’s use of Sussex marks the first public introduction of Meghan with her royal title on television after recently opening up about embracing the name and how important it is to share it with her children.

On their 2018 wedding day, Queen Elizabeth II granted Harry and Meghan the title of Sussex, a nod to long-standing royal tradition,

Archie and Lilibet now carry the name, like their father, Harry, who was once known as "Harry Wales" during his school and Army days, reflecting his connection to his father's, King Charles' former title.

Despite stepping back from royal duties and being advised to discontinue using their HRH titles, the couple has now embraced Sussex as their official family name.

After Barrymore introduced Meghan on her show, netizens flocked online to claim that the duchess looked uncomfortable.

Body language expert Jude James corroborated this claim, saying that Meghan appeared "rather more distanced emotionally" as she and Barrymore hugged for the show's promotional images that were shared ahead of the interview.

James told the Daily Mail, "This is a rare pose from Meghan who is normally the first one to move in with the hugs to register the warm, spontaneously tactile side that was apparently met with a tsunami of ice water from the royal firm back in the UK. "

"She has clearly met her match in Drew, whose tactile behaviors on her chat show are a signature part of the brand. But it seems from this pose that what you get when you put two famously hugging women together is that one will bow out, namely Meghan in this case," the body language expert added.

Barrymore's introducing of Meghan as "Meghan Sussex" comes on the heels of an on-screen moment where Meghan corrected her celebrity friend Mindy Kaling on her Netflix cooking show.

In episode two of “With Love, Meghan,” the former royal, 43, and Kaling, 45, teamed up to host a children's party.

While demonstrating how to make a cucumber sandwich, Meghan reminisced about growing up as a latchkey kid, recalling fast food and TV tray dinners from chains like Pollo Loco, Taco Bell, and Jack In The Box.

When Mindy joked that no one would ever believe that "Meghan Markle" loved Jack In The Box, Meghan, with a smile masking her irritation, quipped, "It's so funny you keep saying Meghan Markle, you know I'm Sussex now."

She went on to explain that as a mother, sharing a family name with her children has grown deeply meaningful, stating: “You have kids and you go 'No, I share my name with my children.' I didn't know how meaningful it would be to me but it just means so much to say 'This is OUR family name. Our little family name.'”

In an interview with People Magazine, Meghan revealed that the Sussex surname is a “huge part” of her and Harry's love story and believes it will grow even more significant for their children as they mature.

The mom of two explained: “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. I love that that is something that Archie, Lili, H, and I all have together. It means a lot to me.”

She added: “I think as the kids get older, they’re so excited about, 'Oh my gosh, Mama and Papa, how did you meet?' I think that will come with time as they get older, but for right now a huge part of our love story is that we share the name Sussex.

On the Barrymore show, Meghan revealed her unique approach to parenting. She shared that with her children, Archie and Lilibet, being just five and three, she makes sure bedtime stories remain a priority.

The Duchess stated: “I always make it a point when I'm traveling if I can't do bedtime stories with my kids, because Archie and Lili are just three and five, so I'll always pack a really thin book, and I'll videotape myself reading it.”

"This way, Harry can later play the recording, letting the kids hear, 'Here's Mama reading your bedtime story,'" she added.

Meghan emphasized that finding creative ways to be there for each other is vital, noting: “You find ways to show up for each other, and that's the one thing I can convey through the show, or through As Ever as a brand, I want people to know you can show up for each other because you know how good it feels when someone shows up for you.”