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Meghan Markle‘s long-awaited lifestyle show finally debuted on Netflix after a nearly two-month delay. While the majority of reviews for With Love, Meghan haven’t been good with many calling it “boring” and “fake,” the streaming platform announced that it will release more previously filmed episodes for Season 2 in the fall. But for everyone just catching up on Season 1 now, Meghan shared more than just the colorful treats she likes to put together for her children.

In one episode Meghan is speaking with her friend, actor Mindy Kaling, and the duchess corrects Kaling when she keeps using the last name “Markle.” Meghan declares that her “Sussex” title, given to her by the late Queen Elizabeth II, is her last name now and she shares that with Prince Harry and their kids.

Well now Meghan’s estranged father, Thomas Markle, is speaking out about his daughter choosing to dump his last name.

Meghan Markle and Mindy Kaling on 'With Love, Meghan,' where they discussed numbered jars of jam
Meghan Markle and Mindy Kaling on ‘With Love, Meghan’ | Netflix

Meghan’s father responds to his daughter ditching his last name

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex title was bestowed upon Harry and Meghan when they tied the knot in 2018. When they stepped down as working royals, the late queen stripped them of HRH but at that time allowed them to keep the Sussex titles.

Although Meghan doesn’t look back fondly on her time in the U.K., she always uses her title when promoting herself and now wants everyone else to do so and stop using “Markle.”

Thomas told the Daily Mail: “My mom 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. Meghan never had a problem with the Markle name until she met Prince Harry.

“Now I have to say, ‘I am Meghan Sussex’s dad.'”

What Thomas thinks of Meghan’s cooking show

So has Thomas watched his daughter’s cooking show and if so what did he think of it?

“I haven’t seen the show but I’ve seen a ton of clips and I’ve read many stories,” he said before adding, “I might sit down and watch it one day but I’m not sure.”

While he hasn’t seen the show in full, Thomas did have some thoughts about it based on all the clips he’s seen of With Love, Meghan.

“Cooking shows are horrendously boring unless the presenter has a passion for it,” he opined. “You have to be authentic to hold people’s attention. When you are stuffing the turkey’s a*** it has to look like you’re having fun doing it. Unfortunately, Meghan has never been authentic. She has to think about everything. She’s not spontaneous. Everything she says is pre-planned and rehearsed.”

Meghan Markle on the set of Netflix's 'With Love, Meghan.'
Meghan Markle on the set of Netflix’s ‘With Love, Meghan’ | Netflix
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Thomas continued: “It makes me laugh because I know all her looks and expressions. 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. The best cooks are funny, they mess up, they are human. She just wants to be perfect. It’s sad because she’s trying so hard to stay in the limelight.”

In early 2025, Thomas relocated from his previous home in Rosarito, Mexico, less than 300 miles away from Meghan and Harry’s Montecito home to the Philippines which is over 7,000 miles away.

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