PHOTOSMeghan Markle & Mom Doria Ragland Aren’t ‘Very Close’
Jan. 31 2020, Published 3:06 p.m. ET
Meghan Markle and her mother Doria Ragland are not as close as many assumed. It was revealed that the former actress and yoga teacher are not planning to move closer to each other amid Meghan, 37, and Prince Harry’s exit from their royal duties.
“She’s not very close with her mom,” one source dished to Us Weekly. Another insider added that Doria, 63, “has no plans to relocate to Canada or anywhere for that matter” to be closer to the mother of one.
“She is currently giving private yoga lessons to a select few clients,” the second source added. “Doria would only see Meghan once or twice a year while filming Suits in Toronto. Meghan isn’t as close to her mom as is known.”
The yoga teacher did attend Meghan and Harry’s wedding in May 2018, along with baby Archie’s christening in July 2019. Doria was also with her daughter’s family during Thanksgiving and Christmas that year.
Meghan’s father, Thomas Markle, was noticeably missing from the nuptials. He didn’t walk his daughter down the aisle after he was caught staging pictures for the paparazzi.
Thomas, 75, has also spoken out about Meghan and Harry, 35, stepping down from their royal duties. “I think they've hurt the Queen. I think they've hurt the royals - and it just doesn't work to be going to another country and serving England,” he told Piers Morgan during an appearance on Good Morning Britain. “It's never going to work. I'm a little embarrassed and feeling very sorry for the Queen.” Doria has yet to publicly comment on the news.
Meghan and Prince Harry announced on January 8 that they were stepping back as senior members of the royal family. “After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution,” the couple wrote in a statement. “We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment.”
Less than a week later, on January 13, Queen Elizabeth II confirmed that Meghan and Harry would no longer be using their HRH titles, and would be spending more time in Canada.
“Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family. Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives,” Her Royal Highness said in a statement. “It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK.”
