The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have spent the past six and a half years building a real life for themselves in California. They have a large chicken coop – Archie’s Chick Inn – and dogs, Pula and Mamma Mia. They have a giant pool, a tennis court and eleventy billion bathrooms. They have a tea house. They are regulars at swanky dinner parties. Meghan built a successful business in California. She’s invested in several California-based businesses. Harry still works for BetterUp. And most importantly, they’re close to Meghan’s mom Doria Ragland. Doria still maintains a home in LA, but I’ve always felt like she spends a lot of time in Montecito with her grandkids. What will happen with Doria??? And the chickens? But mostly Doria?
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are headed back across the pond temporarily … but they’re leaving at least one important family member behind.
Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ … Meghan’s mom — Doria Ragland — isn’t making the move with the couple despite her close relationship with her daughter and her son-in-law.
We’re told Doria maintains a home near Los Angeles, and she has a life she’s not ready to leave behind. Our sources say she will see the family … though it’s unclear where.
Our sources say Doria’s active in the local yoga community … and she has quite a few friends here as well.
Meghan and Harry’s big move will change the family dynamic … Doria often drove up to Montecito to visit them and her grandkids … and she even had her own quarters in the massive home.
Worth noting … our source says Meghan and Harry’s move back to the UK is a temporary decision. When asked if it’s just for 6 months or a year, our source said it’s really more of a day-by-day decision.
This, more than anything else, tells me that the Sussexes are probably not going to stay much longer than a year in the UK. Maybe after the Birmingham Invictus Games next summer, they’ll maintain a third home in the UK, but Meghan isn’t going to stay away from Doria for much longer than a year. That’s her mama. Doria is Archie and Lili’s only living grandmother, you know? But I’m glad Doria won’t be there in person to witness this foolishness. I’d love to know her real thoughts on all of this.
Photos courtesy of Netflix, Avalon Red, Cover Images, Meghan’s Instagram.
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- Meghan Markle and her mother, Doria Ragland, arriving at Cliveden House Hotel on the National Trust’s Cliveden Estate to spend the night before her wedding to Prince Harry.,Image: 515239971, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR SEVEN DAYS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251 Madrid: +34 91 533 4289, Model Release: no, Credit line: – / Avalon
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- Meghan Markle and her mother, Doria Ragland, arriving at Cliveden House Hotel on the National Trust’s Cliveden Estate to spend the night before her wedding to Prince Harry.,Image: 515240003, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR SEVEN DAYS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251 Madrid: +34 91 533 4289, Model Release: no, Credit line: – / Avalon
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- Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (C) arrives with her mother, Doria Ragland (L) and Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex to host an event to mark the launch of a cookbook with recipes from a group of women affected by the Grenfell Tower fire at Kensington Palace in London on September 20, 2018.,Image: 534009123, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR SEVEN DAYS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251 Madrid: +34 91 533 4289, Model Release: no, Credit line: – / Avalon
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- Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (C) arrives with her mother, Doria Ragland (L) and Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex to host an event to mark the launch of a cookbook with recipes from a group of women affected by the Grenfell Tower fire at Kensington Palace in London on September 20, 2018.,Image: 534009147, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR SEVEN DAYS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251 Madrid: +34 91 533 4289, Model Release: no, Credit line: – / Avalon
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- Malibu, CA – Kim Kardashian enjoys dinner at Nobu with friends and family in Malibu, CA. Kim showed off her sexy curves in an off-the-shoulder top and snug jeans as she is joined by mom Kris Jenner, Corey Gamble, and self-proclaimed “Foodgod” Jonathan Cheban. Kanye was also at the outing but left sooner in a separate ride. No signs of sisters Khloe or Kourtney! Pictured: Kim Kardashian BACKGRID USA 27 FEBRUARY 2019 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- MANDATORY CREDIT: Chris Allerton – copyright SussexRoyal NEWS EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO COMMERCIAL USE. NO MERCHANDISING, ADVERTISING, SOUVENIRS, MEMORABILIA or COLOURABLY SIMILAR. NOT FOR USE AFTER FRIDAY JUNE 7, 2019, WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM ROYAL COMMUNICATIONS AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE. This photograph is provided to you strictly on condition that these conditions and restrictions will apply (and that you will pass these on) to any organisation to whom you supply it. There shall be no commercial use whatsoever of the photographs (including by way of example only) any use in merchandising, advertising or any other non-news editorial use. The photograph must not be digitally enhanced, manipulated or modified in any manner or form and must include all of the individuals in the photograph when published. All other requests for use should be directed to the Buckingham Palace Press Office in writing. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are joined by her mother, Doria Ragland, as they show their new son, born Monday and named as Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, to the Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle.
I support Ms. Doria remaining in California. As mentioned she has a good life there and after a certain age all the moving takes a toll. I continue to wish the Sussex family well and I continue to believe, this is a UK base for this couple and after Invictus 2027, they will spend extended (Summers) time in Europe, including the UK, with their home base being Monticeto, California
Doria is no CarolE. Not only does she have grace and charm (unlike another MIL), she ADDS to her daughter’s/SIL’s lives. She doesn’t run or micromanage their lives.
I’m sure there will be a *lot* of face timing between Salty Isle and home, especially as the kids settle in (I’m sure they’d be excited to share school news with Granny!), as well as it helping to alleviate homesickness, reports will be needed on Chick Inn as well!
I’m still convinced Charles’ health is on decline. And instead of constantly flying back and forth for visits and Invictus, missing out on moments with the kids you can never get back… IMO, this is why they’ll be there as long as Charles is living.
I have often believed that as much as Doria loves and supports her daughter and son in law , if she is anything like me she probably does a lot of head scratching and reminds herself not my business, not my business but I am sure she can’t stand one member of the Windsor clan and if left up to her, she won’t want any of them any where near her daughter or grandchildren. The Spencer’s on the other hand. She must really like. But yeah, f those Windsors
That’s a really big support network that Meghan will have to leave in US. Her Mom, those friends who come over to play Majhong with her, Oprah… I know they’ll be in touch but it’s not the same.
I keep thinking of her Mom’s words in their documentary, when they were going through the worst of the abuse, she asked Meghan is it worth it?
I really wish them well with this move, hopefully things will work out for them
If we knew why they were going then opinions could be formed. Harry’s never ever said he’s homesick. Like he’s 5. Never. I know who does spout that regularly. So we still know nothing and everyone has an opinion.
Thankfully both Harry and Meghan are investors. He’s been hooked in with high power investor and vc groups for years. They’re both making bank. This move isn’t because they’re broke or he’s crying in the cupboard because he misses daddy. Sounds strategic.
These are rich people without 9-5 jobs, they can hop on a plane any time they like. Of course it’s not the same as living a drive away but they can meet at weekends if they want to.
Way too many commenters thought Doria would pack up her life to go with Meghan and I called her not leaving. Why would she? Watch her daughter have to deal with the insane press she’s about to get and the daily interviews calling for her head? I don’t know if this will work or not, but am definitely baffled again by this choice. And it does sound like Harry is homesick and wants to return to the UK stories which have been going on since last year were true.
I wonder if Doria isn’t happy with this move. It boggles my mind that Harry is taking his family back to the same enviornment that led to Meghan’s self-unaliving ideations, and one that— JUST LAST MONTH—was too dangerous for her and the kids to visit without their movements being cloaked in secrecy.
If she was my mom, she’d be upset and disappointed but wouldn’t say anything since Meghan and Harry are adults who can make (poor) decisions on their own and she’ll be there for any support they might need, but she won’t uproot her life and peace to do so.
“Harry is taking his family back to the same enviornment that led to Meghan’s self-unaliving ideations”
No. He doesn’t. They don’t go back to the Palace. The courtiers and palace aides have no sway over them. There is no role to play, no protocol to follow.
They move on their own terms, as private citizens into a private property, not on any Crown Estate/Royal ground. They are independent and free.
I learned today that the Spencers have several houses on Althorp grounds, and Aunt Jane has several properties in the villages surrounding Althorp. Which would provide the Sussexes with a nice, secure haven. They said (or leaked to People Magazine) the move is temporary. My take is they will stay for a year and go back to Montecito before the school year starts in 2027. Archie will have one year in an English school, Lili in pre-school, and then they will go to an international school in California. They can visit each summer, split their time between California and England as Eugenie and Jack split their time between Portugal and England. They don’t move back into the viper’s nest for good to work for the Palace. They just build another base, connecting with Harry’s roots.
I’m talking about the collective environment—the media, the public, and being in close proximity to the very family that bullied Meghan and fed her to the sharks. Yes, they are going back under different circumstances, as private citizens, but the same players remain.
I’m not so sure Meghan and Harry want to be chopping and changing every couple of years with their kids’ education. I suspect if they’ve chosen a British education, they’re going to give it a good shot, not just a year. Of course if it doesn’t work out it’s another thing.
Why would Doria need to relocate to the UK, when she can just visit? Obviously not as often as before, but she can easily spend several weeks at a time with the family in the UK. And I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s part of the deal.
As for everything Meghan is trading-off with this move, Jennie Bond said on the BBC that she was “taking one for the team” and that the UK wasn’t exactly Meghan’s world-favourite place to be. This probably rings true for most people. In some ways it’s the quid pro quo of Harry leaving his country to move to California to protect Meghan.
Feels like a sign of a healthy marriage that they should be commended for… though I’m not holding my breath on that front, certainly not from the British media! (except maybe Jennie Bond)
Who says they are chopping and changing? Plenty of families, rich or otherwise, travel and spend long periods in other countries for work – actors, high profile charity workers, international lawyers, company directors not the least. And Harry and Meghan both wear a lot of hats, several of them international. If those people’s arrangements are considered to be routine, why should it described as chopping and changing when the Sussexes do it?
I really think that people need to get things into perspective. Harry and Meghan are not doing anything that other people do not do. Many of their friends maintain homes in the UK, US and Europe. Heck, I’m no millionaire and I have a home in the EU as well as in the UK, and spend periods in the US and Caribbean, for business and pleasure. It’s not unusual.
They are part of what used to be called the jet set. And Doria doesn’t want that life. But the kids will miss having Grandma so close by and she will miss them.
All very true. But how many of these other people were constantly bullied in the press and other media AND within the structure of their family “Firm” — for reasons that most certainly include institutional racism— to the point of being suicidal? My personal perspective is focused on stuff like that. It’s not just that the Sussex family is relocating internationally— it’s that they’re relocating to the belly of the beast.
I’m not even suggesting that it’s a bad decision for the family, or that we — the concerned and interested public —somehow deserve more details about the reasons behind their decision. In the end, though, I guess I’m more parasocial than I realized. It’s been wonderful to watch the Sussex family escape the madness not of their own making, find direction and stability, and appear to flourish. I’m invested in hoping that they — particularly the kids — continue to grow surrounded by security and love and happiness, if only because I long to see that such a life is possible, especially for a multi-racial family that’s already been painfully seared by multiple spotlights .
For all the talk of Harry wanting to be closer to Charles because of concerns regarding his health and advanced age, the advanced age also applies to Doria and that’s why I don’t see this as a permanent move back to the UK (unless the midterms cause absolute havoc and Trump goes full dictator with the military backing him).
Residing here puts immediate pressure on RAVEC to complete the RMA for the Sussexes current security requirements, and I’d be very shocked if it was found there was no real need for 24/7 protection. Harry has checkmated them on this stalling tactic by moving back for at least a year. He, rightly, wants security in place for Invictus next July, plus actually living here will remove some of the hysteria about the possibility of Meghan and the children coming back because it’s now a moot point, they’re already here.
Archewell can function whether Meghan and Harry reside here or in the US, there was actually a fairly honest piece in The Hollywood Reporter saying that and, shockingly, pointing out that “Cookie Queens” is the highest grossing non celebrity documentary of 2026 with a gross sitting at $588,257 and has secured a deal with a streaming service – not Netflix.
I see it as a year long relocation, although Charles health could influence the timeframe. They could be returning to Montecito this time next year.
There may also be residence requirements for Meghan to maintain her UK diplomatic visa, if she’s still got one. But there are rumours that both Meghan and Harry will be working on/launching new projects while in the UK.
They would more than likely have got advice from some of their friends who also have children and spend time in the UK and the US for months at a time, and how to manage the children’s education under such circumstances.
Yesterday, I was literary wondering about Archie’s Chick Inn and the chickens. They can set up a new coop in the UK, for sure, but I feel sad that Archie and Lil will have to miss Phill and Jill and the other chicks.
They can keep chickens in England – and maybe Doria is moving into their home while they are away. We know so little about the reasons behind all of this, I think we need to be kinder, less like the British Press and let’s not speculate in a way that is worrying. Meghan is a grown up, Harry loves her, they have made this decision together – whatever the reasons – and if it doesn’t work out they will go back. The kids are young, moving around the world is good for them, broadening horizons.
I, too, was wondering about the chickens! lol. I think Oprah might have a flock. Maybe she can invite the Sussex chickens to stay with hers. How big a deal would relocating be for their other pets — if they go? Would they have to quarantine?
To move a dog from the US to Great Britain, you must microchip your dog with an ISO-compliant 15-digit chip, give a rabies vaccination (with a 21-day wait), provide tapeworm treatment 24–120 hours before entry, and obtain a USDA-endorsed Great Britain pet health certificate. No quarantine.
They very likely will use a private plane to relocate. Easier with the children, dogs, luggage.
I was thinking about the chicken, too (Archie will miss them), but I doubt Meghan and the children keep the coop that spotless as seen on TV. One of the gardeners/ground keepers will take care of them. They won’t leave their estate stand empty, a minimum of staff will look after it.
Thanks for the information @Lurker. Good to know that no quarantine would be needed for the dogs.
Doriaforever❤️
I am firmly in the “ moving back is idiotic” camp and I suspect Doria is making sure she will be waiting here when they need to move again. I’m not buying that this is for Invictus or for dying Charles who could never make ten minutes in his schedule for his kids or grandkids and no, the “ men in gray” weren’t the problem.
I know we don’t know the whole story and I am certainly not them, so I’m going to wish them well but I’m not as admiring of them for this as I was for their past choices. ( not that they care! 🤣)
You don’t know any of the story – none of us do. So to stop supporting them because you don’t agree with a decision they have made which they believe is right for them is… disappointing to me. I thought we were better than that.
No I don’t. None of us do. But. I do have a good deal of life experience and I long ago learned to avoid drama and toxic situations. I thought Harry and Meghan had made their minds up about that long ago. And many members of my own family have moved between countries, but they weren’t under the same scrutiny. As I said, I wish them well and have been a long time supporter. I am going to continue to wish them well, and hope that their lives go as they hope.
Are you aware that there are many British-American families which move between both countries each year due to work obligations, without anyone finding it strange or reading more into it than necessary? At the end of the day, they’ve both got international work obligations, why should they permanently avoid the UK as a result, if they have got everything they wanted, the most important being security?
Well, one reason is Meghan’s very abusive treatment at the hands of both the media and the royals. That is something other families who move back and forth are not dealing with. Many of us are concerned for their well being. And we still have no idea how security is being handled.
@Brassy Rebel, I share your concerns, and I admire your succinctness!
Doria has her own business in the Senior Care Management field, called Loving Kindness, for over six years now. Like her daughter, she has two degrees: a bachelors degree in Psychology and a masters degree in Social Work. Before starting her Care Management business she worked for about 20 years as a licensed clinical therapist. The tabloids will never till you all this, because they don’t want to highlight the stark difference between Meghan’s highly educated and accomplished mother, and air hostess ma Middleton. They will focus on Doria ones being a yoga instructor (which she is very proud of, btw).
I don’t think that soon to be 70 yo Doria (Sept. 2nd) is ready to give up her company yet. She is also well connected in Hollywood (she used to be the Yoga teacher for many (now) celebrities, like Kris Jenner, back in the days), and she is known in many communities in California for doing charity work, for many years. This king of connectivity she won’t be able to rebuild in the UK.
Wow, I didn’t know about Ms. Doria’s company, though I was aware of her qualifications. It is wonderful that she is running a business! Entrepreneurship seems to run in that family. Lili and Archie have some strong role models to emulate when their turn comes.
Like you, I too was irked that the UK media kept describing her as a yoga teacher when her qualifications and experiences were so much more – not that there’s anything wrong with being a yoga teacher, but they seemed to deliberately go out of their way to downplay her level of education.
Link here to Doria’s company website:
https://www.lovingkindnessseniorcare.com
No evidence of this, but I do wonder if this is so Harry can be more involved with Invictus leading up to the Birmingham games. There has to be some pressure there to be more seen and active with England’s teams leading up to next year given its on his home turf. Especially since the royals are constantly implying it should be theirs and he should step back
If he’s based in the UK this year; that makes it easier. The benefit of being closer to family for a year seems like a side benefit more than anything else. The kids are young enough a year abroad will be fine and not disrupt much.
Harry’s birth family would be the ones he would be seeing. Harry said his family are: Meghan, Archie and Lili. He told this to a few reporters during various interviews. Harry had to call a counselor about various issues involving William and Charles. It was not sunshine and roses according to Spare
His extended family is more than just the Windsors though. You’ve got the Spencers too and he seems pretty close to them as well.
By the way, I don’t hear anybody talking about the implications of this move for their Production Company, Archewell Productions, and more importantly, for their Netflix deal, which is their biggest money maker, of which, a guess, they’ve been able to fund the big bills of their expensive lifestyle so far.
They have like six Netflix projects/movies, etc., in the works – they can’t afford to only be involved from afar, esp. if they executive produce some of the projects. They (Meghan in particular) need to stay involved/present to be noticed, and to continue to be seen as respectable Hollywood producer.
Hopefully they’ll make an announcement soon about their Netflix deal and the ongoing productions.
I’m sure they will work with their production company via zoom and when they have to they’ll fly over.
Being an executive producer does not require a lot of on set time though.
An executive producer is mostly responsible for securing rights (like Meet Me at the Lake House), budget, investors, finding distribution as opposed to a producer, who is more involved in the day to day.
I would have thought Doria might go over to UK with them to help them settle in. I’m with Kaiser, I think Harry and Meghan may not live in the UK for more than a year. I think they in the UK until the 30th anniversary of Diana’s death passes and I think they will the house in the UK as base for future visits.
Do you know who I also wonder what they think about this ? Tyler Perry . He probably says you guys do what you have to but boy oh boy . Wonder what Meghan will do without her margan group also . It’s a lot . She really must be the most supportive spouse because lord .
It’s insulting and degrading how the media and others try and limit who Doria is and keep
Making her out to be the help for her daughter, SIL and grandchildren. Lots of people move away from their families and still maintain healthy, loving and supportive relationships. She managed to have that with Meghan, Harry and Archie at the beginning of Harry and Meghan’s relationship and marriage. Meghan lived in Canada prior to meeting Harry and Meghan spoke about annual trips she and her mom would have during that time. Doria is an accomplished woman who has had a life of her own for decades and it’s insulting that she’s always reduced to needing to move to live with her daughter and her family. None of us know anything about how or why they Sussexes are moving but as a squaddie said somewhere else, Harry and Meghan know more of the how and why they are moving and no one is going to love and want to protect them and their family more than they do. So trust that they will do what is best for them and their best interest is how I will continue to look at this. Along with my support I will always send my prayers.
I think I just wanted Doria to go with them because I missed my Mom horribly when I Iived in England.
I used to long to just meet her for a cup of tea. We talked all the time but it was not the same.
Doria didn’t relocate when Meghan married Harry. Meghan moved to the UK for good and started the immigration process and Doria didn’t move..:
I don’t see how Meghan can’t be without her mama. It’s such a reach I felt odd reading this
Doria has a good head on her shoulders and raised a fierce, independent, capable woman in Meghan. I’m sure Doria will always be there for advice and support. That can be through Zoom, phone calls, texts, etc.
I cannot blame Doria for not wanting to live in racist, delusional England. Of course, we have that here, too, but I’m sure where she lives in California is an amenable and inclusive place.