Meghan Markle shot to fame as an American actress on Suits, then created a huge buzz when she married Prince Harry and became the Duchess of Sussex. Doria Ragland, Markle’s mother, is also quite intriguing to the world with her newfound connection to the royal family, having rubbed shoulders with the Queen herself. So here are a few facts worth knowing about Prince Harry’s mysterious mother-in-law.
She is 62 years old
It is hard to believe with Ragland’s shapely figure and youthful face, but she was indeed born on the 2nd of September 1956. Her mother was a nurse and her father was an antique dealer. Both welcomed Doria with open arms into their small family and moved to Los Angeles from their house in Cleveland while Doria was still a baby.
She was a make-up artist
It seems that Meghan Markle was born into show-business as her parents met on a television show set. Doria was a trained make-up artist and landed a gig doing make-up for the show General Hospital and this is how she met Meghan’s father, Thomas Markle. He was working on lights and cinematography on the same set and the two hit it off.
She is a bonafide yogi
This is how Doria keeps her body looking so youthful and strong. She works as a yoga instructor in community centers and gyms and is even yoga-buddies with Oprah. Meghan was also introduced to yoga through classes as a child with her mother.
She has three half-siblings
Although her parents divorced, Doria’s father went on to marry another woman. Her father, Alvin, had one more child with his second wife, Ava. Their child is one of Doria’s half brothers. Her mother also had two more children – one half-sister and one half-brother of Doria. However, none of these siblings attended Meghan’s wedding.
She is also a social worker
Doria is a woman of many talents – and social work is one of them. In 2011, she earned a bachelor’s degree in social work and works specifically with the geriatric community. Ragland worked at a non-profit mental health clinic. This definitely aligns with her free-spirited and kind nature that Markle praises her for.
She helped plan the wedding
Even though the wedding was of royal proportions – literally – Markle still involved Doria. The two share a close friendship even as mother and daughter, so Markle naturally met with her mother the day before the wedding to show Doria sketches of the wedding dress.
Prince Harry is a huge fan of her
He described Ragland as amazing after spending a lot of time with her before his engagement to Meghan. The Prince even asked her for permission to propose to Meghan after inviting both Doria and Meghan to the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games.
She is very involved in her grandchild’s life
Doria was there for the birth of her grandson and was overjoyed. Meghan even visited her before giving birth. The two were seen in Doria’s hometown of Los Angeles after Meghan had her baby shower in New York.
She loves the Queen
Doria’s favorite part of the royal wedding was supposedly meeting Queen Elizabeth II. The day before the wedding, the Queen, Prince Charles, and the Duchess of Cornwall all met with Doria for tea in true British fashion. Doria is close to Prince Charles as they get to bond over their now-married children.
