Doria Ragland, to my knowledge, still lives full-time in LA. Originally, I thought the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would buy a home in LA mainly to be close to Grandma Doria. But no, they moved to Montecito, which isn’t close enough where Doria could just “pop by” unannounced. That being said, I think it’s pretty likely that Doria spends a few weekends a month in Montecito to spend time with her grandson, daughter and son-in-law (in that order). So this is no surprise: Doria has allegedly gone to Montecito to help out Harry and Meghan for a few weeks after Lili Diana’s birth:
Meghan Markle’s mom, Doria Ragland, is “overjoyed to welcome her new granddaughter,” Page Six is told. Although we’re told that Doria, 64, was not present at the birth of Lilibet Diana on June 4 at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, she is now believed to be helping out with the newborn at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s $14.5 million Montecito, Calif., home.
The LA-based yoga teacher flew to the UK for the birth of her first grandchild, Archie, back in May 2019. She spent a few weeks with her daughter and son-in-law Prince Harry ahead of the birth and then helped out after Archie’s arrival. She was seen beaming in a photo released of the Queen and Prince Philip meeting their great-grandson for the first time.
It was also Doria who broke the news of Archie’s birth to her ex-husband, Thomas Markle, who is infamously estranged from his daughter. In the 2020 book “Finding Freedom,” co-authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand wrote, “Doria messaged Thomas with the news, which Meghan had asked her to. The new mother did not want him to find out after the rest of the world. But she didn’t want to know whether her father replied to her mother’s text.”
Described as extremely private, Doria is believed to be a constant presence in the Sussexes’ California life.
Yeah, I think this is more of an educated guess rather than a scoop. I believe Doria is probably planning on spending more time in Montecito with her grandkids too, but I also think Doria is the kind of cool mom who also understands how to give her daughter some space.
Also: there’s so much talk about how the Ragland side of the family wasn’t represented in Lili Diana’s name. Doria’s nickname for Meghan was/is Flower, which is one of the reasons why we’ve said for months that Meghan would choose a flower name. I’ve also seen some Sussex Squad people do a deeper dive into the Ragland family and apparently, the name “Lilli/Lilly/Lily” is all over Meghan’s extended family. So there you go.
Meanwhile, Toxic Thomas Markle has been particularly subdued since Meghan won her lawsuit against the Mail on Sunday. He’s also been pretty quiet since Jason Knauf was allowed to “quit” working with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. I don’t think that’s a coincidence. So Toxic Tom kept his comments pretty brief about Meghan and Lili. He told British outlets: “I’m very pleased that my daughter and my new granddaughter had a successful delivery. I wish them all my love and the best of luck.” You know what I wonder? I wonder if Meghan’s American lawyers haven’t told Toxic Tom that if he talks sh-t about his daughter for money again, they will have his ass.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
I have so much love for Doria it’s unbelievable.
@Nicegirl
I totally get that. She is absolutely gorgeous and elegance personified imo. I’m so glad that Meghan has at least had her wonderful mother in her life for these past several years.
Totally want her to adopt me!!
She’s very lovely and beautiful and has manners a thousand times more impeccable than the rude, boorish royals. I sometimes wish we could see and hear more from her because she’s so graceful and interesting but it’s great that she’s able to have a private life and I hope that it always remains that way unless she herself wants to share something.
She does seem lovely. I wish harry and meghan would have honored her by giving their daughter Doria as one of the middle names. Lillibet Doria Diana flows nicely and would have been a nice nod to BOTH of lilis grandmothers, but that’s just my humble opinion and I respect their decision.
I agree this is more of an educated guess. I think she’s probably going to hang out there for a while and then go back home. I’m sure she has her own room at their house and – gasp – maybe even her own bathroom!!!
She probably stays at the guest house they have on their property. I can actually see Doria move in there permanently when she retires.
I’ve always expected her to move into the guest house permanently. But maybe she wants to have her own life separate from her daughter and is content with frequent visits. I’m sure she has her own social circle in LA she wants to maintain.
Yes but the guest house isn’t as fun because then I couldn’t have made the joke about the bathroom!
I’ve always had the sense she has a fulfilling life in LA with her yoga and friends and whatnot. The fact she never remarried suggests she enjoys her independence. Honestly Montecito is the perfect distance from LA to have her own room/cottage but not live there full time.
@ BettyRose. I agree. She has her own life and interests and she has raised Meghan to be independent and think for herself.
Montecito is less than 2 hrs from LA. I went to UCSB and drove home for parties practically every other weekend at one point. If Doria wants to drive herself, H&M send a driver, or even if she (gasps!) takes a heli she’ll be there in no time. She *can* pop in for a day or two, then go back to her own life.
I’m sure she’s chill, and even in a FOURTEEN MILLION DOLLAR MANSION, WITH SIXTEEN BATHROOMS!!! she has no intention of horning in on her daughter’s family. (yes, that’s sarcasm).
It’s also a very easy and really gorgeous train ride up from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara!
I think she lives in Santa Monica area so if she times it right, she can get to Montecito in 75-90 minutes. It’s all about avoiding rush hour!
(TheOG) Jan90067, thank you for stating the number of bathrooms. Page Six is falling own on the job by not including that!
This reads to be someone’s guess, which I think all of us believe the same. What I got stuck on was identifying Doria as a Yoga Teacher . . . isn’t she also a social worker? And, if that’s correct, why didn’t they include that?
It’s probably just an educated guess. I have no doubt Doria visits frequently and she will be the only grandparent those kids will truly know.
Educated guess is right. No one would know anything about who was there, who visited and who didn’t. Is this Katie Nicholl making stuff up again? I think it’s a given that Doria would be there. And how exactly does that concern the press anyway?
Educated guess all the way. Pandemic restictions: laboring mother plus ONLY ONE support person (husband in this case) and that’s it. The rest is just them guessing, of course Doria was restricted from supporting her daughter during labor so she gonna be at Sussexes home since she is part of their support network, duh!
Exactly. All guess-work. Something to speculate upon as there is no access to the couple and they hate it. So make it all up!
This is correct and has been my personal experience right now too. In general, COVID visitor protocols are still in place in the US in many hospitals. (Especially I’d imagine in California as they were still a bit of a COVID hot spot not too long ago.)
I have a relative fighting cancer and they still only get 1 support person allowed to accompany them for treatment, ditto for my niece who also just had a baby on the East Coast.
Only the dad could go, my sister had to stay and wait at home to meet the little one.
I adore my mother, but the only person I wanted in labor & delivery besides the doctor and nurses was my husband.
You are absolutely correct. California has very strict restrictions – only one person per day visiting. I’ve had two cousins hospitalized out there this last month for critical illness, and that restriction was in place.
Yup. It’s an educated guess. Grandma helps daughter and son-in-law with a new arrival isn’t a big stretch. As for Doria not being represented in the names, like Kaiser says, there’s a Liliee in Doria’s family tree so it’s possible the Sussexes thought the name Lili would be two birds one stone – represent Harry’s grandma and a relative of Doria’s.
But even if it wasn’t, I don’t understand the outrage on the behalf of Doria who might, you know, not care as much as some people crying on her behalf are. Some people don’t name kids after family members (me and my family are like that) so it’s not an issue with Doria. Harry comes from a family where the opposite is true so it’s possible Doria doesn’t mind.
In Jewish tradition, you don’t name a child after a living person. What most tend to do (if they want to honor a loved person, living or passed away) is use the *initial* of that person’s name for your “English” or your “Jewish” name.
For example, my mom gave me my English name because she liked it (though she changed her mind last minute and changed it from “Jill”, I never found out why!), and my Hebrew name is Sarah, my Dad’s mother’s name; she was murdered in the Holocaust.
I personally think it’s lovely to name a child after someone you’ve loved, who meant a lot in your family’s history.
More precisely Ashkenazic Jews name kids after dead relatives. Sephardic Jews don’t follow that “rule.”
Ms. Doria definitely seems like a mom who knows when to step back and give space. Which is great given the fact that her daughter is almost 40. My mom is the same way. She told she’s shifted from “mom” in a way to “consultant”: there to give advice when asked and simply be supportive. She recognizes it’s my life to live and my mistakes to make.
The name thing is not a big deal to me because Ms. Doria will be the only grandmother these kids truly know. That’s more important than tribute via name imo.
Also seems like Doria is very private and under the radar. It’s possible she literally did not want her name included and repeated all the time. I would actually hate that myself. Meghan knows her mom and what she cares about and it’s prob not the name.
She probably just researched the hospital policy on births and visitors to know if anyone else was present.
The reason Daddy Is subdued is because his handlers have been silenced and that includes Morgan – his paymasters are not in a position to pay him and give him press space. Plus I agree that her lawyers have warned him off, aren’t the privacy laws in California quiet strict? It was easier for him to shoot his mouth off when she was in the UK but now they are in the US…..
I think his handlers being silenced is more believable than her lawyers taking any action. He is a blabbermouth. He would have sold that for some pieces of silver. I imagine since DailyMail lost their case, they haven’t since been in touch.
Speaking of which, did we ever find out if there was a deadline on the apology and other DM reparations?
@Digital Unicorn: I agree his handlers have been silenced. Morgan is no longer has platform on morning tv, Knauf has been fired and the Daily Mail lost the case. Furthermore, the press has no use for him anymore. Meghan’s left the UK so he’s of no value to likes of the Daily Mail and the Sun, all he had was the court case.
California actually has a specialty law enforcement unit for high profile public figures who only prosecutes stalking cases with more liberty than other places in the US (it was established after actress Rebecca Shaffer was killed by a stalker).
And frankly stalking is really what the white Markles have skirted the line the entire time with Meghan on (especially the sister literally showing up uninvited at the palace in England), so they might be aware of this.
He’s going to be on 60 minutes Australia. Ugh. Just when we thought he’d go away
Can’t wait to see the new baby photos and new family portraits! Am making an educated guess there won’t be any stupid fascinators involved, either.
😉
Just Say No to puffy velvet headbands!
I think for Fathers’ Day, we might get a photo of a sweet baby’s foot, maybe with Archie’s hand on it… or Lili’s finger holding Archie’s… but I don’t think we’ll see her face for some time.
what I think would be beautiful is Harry’s hand, palm up, on the bottom, followed by Meghan’s hand, Archie’s hand then Lili’s hand
Thomas Markle being quiet. Maybe the money from the tabloids has dried up since the lawsuit has ended. Or maybe Meghan and he have had a small outreach. You never know.
Quiet? He made a statement already. I’m sure the press, and especially The Fail, are cautious re: using him to say anything. As for the outreach? She was done years ago as soon as he began lying for money, and especially being paid to deliberately miss the wedding. And Harry and she being the first to know that the “heart attacks” were fake.
I am expecting Mr Markle to take centre stage on Piers Life Stories so both can act outraged at being cut out of Meghan’s life!
@lee: Meghan said on the Oprah interview that she had lost her father. It’s over.
He was at Oprah’s house offering to do an interview to get his side of the story, no mention of popping on his daughter in the same neighborhood.
Thomas knows the Sussexes don’t trust him.
I hadn’t noticed before how much focus Kate’s red hat and shoes steal in Archie’s formal christening picture.
I noticed right away, and the smirks on her and William’s faces. Also she’s showing way too much leg and she knows it. I thought it was inappropriate as hell.
@Kelleybelle
I thought the same exact thing! I am the opposite of a prude and very live and let live but damn, I don’t think it should look like you’re wearing a miniskirt (while sitting down) in your nephew’s christening picture! Like, I’m not outraged or anything, but it comes across as very tasteless to me. While Meghan and her mother always look like class personified.
Exactly, if Meghan had been at a Keen christening showing that much leg in a picture all hell would have broken loose. Looks like Kate put in minimal effort. Whatever. She’s stuck looking like the trashy in law who just showed up dressed like however for posterity now.
And William looks like a mountain in comparison to his dad. Was there a rumor incandescent Will was photoshopped in? The size difference sticks out so much.
I hadn’t noticed. If anything, Meghan’s and Camilla’s white, and the pale pink of the woman behind her (name?), were what drew my focus. And of course, Archie in his baptismal gown. For me, Kate was an afterthought — although that much leg at a christening is just wrong.
My eldest nephew was baptized in Texas a few years ago (he’s a strapping young teenager now). My entire family was there, dressed in our Sunday finest. I was shocked to see the number of people who showed up to church in flipflops, cutoff jean shorts, raggedy t-shirts, etc., etc. So disrespectful. Kate looks like she’s pulling something similar, showing how she feels about the event by wearing something a little too risqué for the occasion.
Kate’s famous for either over-dressing or under-dressing for a variety of occasions, this one being no exception. Remember the overly lavish jewelry at Philip’s funeral? That was truly tacky, she clearly wanted all the eyeballs on her. Same with the christening, it was a deliberate move on her part to attract attention.
These people are better photographers than me for sure (I think this is Chris Allerton) but I often find something off about the posed family portraits. Like in this one I think the big green pillow is actually very distracting and sort of seems to cut off the picture. I think it would be better if it was removed and H&M and Archie were more centered on the couch. Also with Camilla in the white sitting down like that – thats also distracting to me bc she matches Harry and Meghan. I would have put Doria where she was, Camilla where Charles is and Charles where Doria is. Maybe they didn’t want Charles that close to Diana’s sisters? And William does look too big.
I don’t know, once I start focusing on these things it bugs me! I feel the same way about the picture for Charles 70th, where its the Cambridges and Sussexes (in all the blue and white) and Charles is holding George and Charlotte is sitting next to camilla. It looks unbalanced.
Maybe I am just too basic when it comes to photography lol.
I’m pretty basic too with those things, esp. with where to place people. But there is something striking to me about the colors in this pic. The green wall that matches the sofa, then creams, whites, and pinks. I actually like how Kate and Doria are wearing that similar light pink color. I think Kate’s skirt would look better longer over the knee. It’s prob fine standing up but not sitting. So she shoulda been standing IMO. Don’t know what it is but the colors are interesting.
Lol. You have me laughing about your suggestions and observations. Lolol. It could be that Harry and Megs are nit more centered because they already knew the keenbridges were acting the bitchy bitter fools they are so Harry put his arm around his wife and yanked her closer to him to remind the keenbridges that this is his family and he will protect them with his life .Charles probably is terrified of Diana sister. She looks tough. Lolol.
I’ve always wondered if H&M&A not being centered was deliberate – i.e., they are literally distancing themselves from Kate and William. I know I wouldn’t want to be anywhere near those two after their various leaks and slights and abuse!
I’ve always thought the Cambridges were placed away from H&M because of the brothers’ dislike for each other. They are easily cropped out of the photo. Must admit, I didn’t notice the pillow, but yeah…it puts a physical barrier between Meghan and her tormentors.
@Rebecca – when I look at the picture now, after Sussexit etc, that’s what stands out to me – that they didn’t want to be close to them. I’m sure it was just a placement choice for the photog but still.
@Jais – I do really like all the colors, the green couch is beautiful and I think it helps Meghan and Archie to “pop” so to speak. But think how if Doria was sitting she and Kate would balance each other out!! LOL ( my guess is Kate isn’t standing bc between heels and the headpiece she would be too tall and really make it look off balance?)
Thank you all for indulging my basic photographer eye lol.
These stories popping up about sources say Archie is excited or Doria wasn’t there for the birth are so funny considering none of them knew she had given birth until 2 days after. Just shows how much is speculation & guess work.
Soo happy for Doria. She could have lost her only child but now she has her & her grandchildren near by.
Her not being at the birth wouldn’t surprise me. The hospitals are still only allowing the pregnant mother and spouse in the delivery room because Covid-19 is still a thing.
Exactly, there are still Covid restrictions in place and only one person can be there with laboring mother. I assume grandma Doria will help out and spend time with her new granddaughter and Archie.
Our second grandchild was born last fall and we were definitely not allowed at the hospital and more importantly we were really there to watch over our 2 year old granddaughter and give her lots of attention. Probably what Doria was doing with Archie.
I don’t know what the covid restrictions are like, now, in California, but I would think that hospital visitors are still being kept to a minimum. It’s possible that only Harry was allowed in the delivery room.
Same about not surprised if she wasn’t at the hospital. When we had our second and third my parents stayed with our older children. Obviously they have staff and I’m just guessing, but another option.
Doria was probably babysitting Archie while Meghan and Harry were in the hospital.
That was my thought. They would certainly want Doria to be with Archie at such a special time. I am certain that Doria is a common visitor to the Sussex home, given that she lives quite close, well close enough to drive over for the weekend.
And again, this is all speculative. No one knows what is going on. But I am certain that mother Doria is close by or staying with them during the first week or two. This must be so exciting and a very happy time for her!! For all of them!
Agree!! This is what grandparents to help!
Agreed. For my 1st, my parents were at the hospital waiting anxiously to see their first grandchild. With my 2nd, they babysat and waited by the phone.
My parents were at the hospital when I had my second (my oldest was at daycare) but around here COVID restrictions are still in place so you can only have one person in the room with you for labor and delivery – so even if Doria wanted to be there, she likely couldn’t because of that.
Ohmygod I’m SO very happy we keep getting reminded about the cost of Harry & Meghan’s house because it would keep me up at night if I didn’t know 🙄
The hospital DIDN’T LEAK THE NEWS!!!! Nobody knew till what? Sunday???
Doria strikes me as cool and classy and loving. She’s stayed above it all which I admire, because and I ain’t gonna lie, if that had been MY daughter and grandson those piss ants yapped about, well let’s just say I would have burned those bitches to ashes
As for Thomas Marble, learned his lesson (maybe) waaaaaay too late
Yeah, I agree this just a guess by the NY Post. Anytime, a piece has the word “told”, it’s speculation. Let’s also remember that the editor of the NY Post is some British guy who used to work for the Sun and a journalist has already quit because she was made to make up a story about Kamala Harris.
The name Lillie is in the Ragland family tree and she was very close to Doria’s father. In fact it’s been reported that the house that Doria lives in belonged to her Aunt Lillie and that she died when Meghan was 22. So Doria’s side of the family is included in the baby’s name and I think it was wise for Harry and Meghan to not include Doria’s name because that would only invite intrusions into her life and attacks on her character by the British press.
I suspect that Doris was in place a few days before the birth to take care of Archie and will now help out with both kids for a while. No one knows her moves because she’s low key and minds the business that pays her.
Whenever I see Doria Ragland I am struck by how beautiful and graceful she is. I remember something positive and interesting from the wedding, which I hope and can well imagine is true – the Queen really liked Doria, apparently. That was leaked. Have you ever, ever heard anything about the Queen and Carole Middleton, in all the years the Queen must have had the misfortune of knowing her? The Queen and Doria had a very brief time together, which leads me to conclude Doria must be one of those people who have natural graciousness.
I think the Queen probably did like Doria a lot – she’s classy, she wasn’t running to the press like other parents, she doesnt try at ALL to trade off her royal connections, she worked hard and supported herself and raised a good daughter – they come from different worlds but I can see the queen liking her. I still remember Charles walking out of the church with Camilla on one arm and Doria on the other.
And one lipreader (lol) from the service had it that William turned to Harry and said “we should stand when Doria walks in” and they stood up as she entered. So pretending that he did say that – it seems they all respected her. Or if they didnt, they at least faked it really well.
Again we’re back to – omg the positive PR the royals got from that wedding and supporting Meghan and Doria was huge!!! Why did they destroy it all within two years??
I agree, she has a natural charm and grace about her. People who are into yoga in a big way just seem to hold themselves so elegantly…beautiful posture and carriage. I’ve started doing something called “yin yoga” which is much less stressful on your body. I’ve been doing it to help with arthritic hips and lower back issues but the effect it’s had on my posture is noticeable.
All the rags are coming out with their “exclusive” info today to cover the fact that they knew nothing about the Lili’s birth. They’re all spinning to make it seem like they know something. The Sussexes made them all look like the clowns they are. I’m not buying any of it.
I’m having a quiet laugh over all the “What Lilibet Diana’s name REALLY means” articles. Go away, RR rats. You know nothing.
What kind of mother, mother in law and grandmother is Doria, how dare she not move in permanently with them or for half the year, cough, say hi Carole.lolol. Seriously though. Doria is an incredible lady. I have so much love and respect and admiration for this beautiful woman.
This!!!
This woman has been doing her own thing and living her life though all of Meghan’s adult life.
Is she just suppose to…..stop. She raised her daughter not to be dependent on her for every little thing and Doria, I feel, is not offended.
I often wonder what Diana sisters think of the keenbridges and Carole Jenner
They probably hold their noses every time CarolE’s name is mentioned and I doubt they have much regard for Keen Wisteria. The Spencer family has ties back to Charles 1st and is about as aristocratic as you can get – grasping parvenus like the Midds would be very much looked down upon.
Hmmm, not sure if I admire the Spencer’s just because of their completely dumb luck of being born into English aristocracy versus a family that created a business (how gauche). British classism is pretty insufferable.
1. I know that this stuff is fluid but my dad was a patient at Cottage Hospital about 8 weeks ago and was only allowed one visitor. (He’s fine now.)
2. Frankly, Santa Barbara is on the cusp of Angelenos being able to stop by. Is SB a suburb of LA? Absolutely not. There’s a whole county between them (Ventura.) But, it still is pretty damn close. Last week my brother and I dropped in on my dad unannounced. Granted, the man is 93 and wheelchair bound so we knew he’d be home–but still… Also, over the years we’ve hoofed it up there to help my parents grab stuff when they had to evacuate because of fire. No doubt Doria is up there quite a bit and SB is close enough that she could hightail it up there in case of emergency.
Has anyone noticed that Jane Fellowes (Harry’s auntie) is wearing a Panama hat to this event. It’s a cool idgaf vibe because the headwear is so stupidly fussy at these events. All that hate for Meg’s Panama hats whilst watching tennis, and Aunt Jane walks in looking chill af.
I think because of the weird precedent Carole Middle has set with official/unofficial press involvement, it’s seen as ODD that we don’t hear from or see Doria more. She’s an adult woman with an adult daughter who appears to happily have that relationship in private. That should be the norm. The fact that we all know Carole’s brother’s name, background, and thoughts on things is the abnormal side.
I think the moment Bad Dad’s value dropped is when he showed up at Oprah’s house giving her security the letter wanting an interview in March – and it has been crickets since. My guess is Oprah called Meghan and Harry and turned over the letter to them. TT gets a call from Meghan’s lawyers if he harrasses her in US media she’ll sue him for defamation and charge him with harassment. (The same goes for the Other Daughter and Junior.) I bet Bad Dad’s letter details how much he wants for the interview and that serves as evidence that Markle sees Meghan as a meal ticket. I believe this because Scammy has been silent about Lili’s birth and RRs think Bad Dad won’t see Lilli anytime soon. All the RRs have is the court case which the Fail is appealing. If that fails and DM has to pay millions in damages to Meghan the Markles are done.
I came here just to say that every time I see the name Lili Diana, my brain sees Lil’ Diana. It’s been 3 days and this is already driving me nuts. That’s all I’ve got!
My educated guess is that Doria has been staying with Harry and Meghan since before the birth so that she would be there to take care of Archie when they went to the hospital. Grandmothers also come to help with older children besides the baby so if mom or dad have been up all night they can catch a nap. I’m sure Doria has a wonderful relationship with Doria and loves her attention.