‘Meg’s mom’ is Duchess’s secret ingredient
Doria Ragland makes surprise appearance at Grenfell recipe book event at Kensington Palace
SHE has been her rock since childhood, by her side at Windsor Castle to watch her marry into the Royal family in May and making visits to support her ever since.
So when the Duchess of Sussex launched her first solo project to the world yesterday, there was only one place Doria Ragland could be: right by her side.
Ms Ragland, who has flown from Los Angeles to stay for a short break at Kensington Palace, was the unexpected guest at a lunch celebrating her daughter’s new cookbook, as she spoke movingly to the cooks of the Grenfell Tower community about the power of women.
Embracing each of them with a warm hug, she told of her “head over heels” pride in her daughter’s work, and promised the women of the Hubb Community Kitchen she would make every one of their recipes.
The Duchess was also supported by her proud husband, who deliberately hung back to make small talk with guests to allow her and the Hubb women to celebrate their work in the spotlight.
In a three-minute speech to guests without notes, the Duchess spoke of the “tremendous labour of love” required to produce the cookbook, which has been kept secret for months, as well as how the multicultural centre made her feel welcome.
She told guests from the Almanaar Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre: “I had just recently moved to London and I felt so immediately embraced by the women in the kitchen; your warmth, and your kindness, and also to be able to be in this city and to see how in this one small room how multicultural it was.
“On a personal level I feel so proud to live in a city that can have so much diversity. There are 12 countries represented in this one group of women, which is pretty outstanding.”
The book, called Together, was launched at a lunch in Perk’s Field at Kensington Palace, in a marquee decorated with flowers in vases and keepsake menus. Arriving by car, Ms Ragland surprised guests after stepping out of the front seat, greeting a welcoming party with the words: “Hi, I’m Meg’s mom.” Baroness Gail Rebuck, chairman of Penguin Random House, the publisher, told Ms Ragland she must feel “very proud” of the Duchess and her work on the cookbook. “Head over heels,” she replied.
The Duchess embraced her friends at the kitchen warmly with three kisses, visibly excited at the success of the project so far.
The trio, who at one point stood with their arms around one another in a line, made their way around four food stations, with the Duchess helping with food preparation while her mother and husband quizzed cooks on their ingredients. After a short speech, the Royal couple and Ms Ragland sat down to enjoy a spread of dishes including coconut chicken curry, aubergine masala and caramelised plum upside-down cake.
Standing with a small group of Hubb kitchen cooks as she said goodbye, Ms Ragland also gave an insight into where the Duchess’ own beliefs have come from. “The power of women,” she told them. “We make things happen. We’re curious, we say yes, we show up. I’m inspired.”
Zahira Ghaswala, Hubb’s coordinator, said afterwards that she was feeling “very emotional”, adding that the refurbished kitchen will open for seven days as of next week.
See recipes from the book in The Daily Telegraph’s Saturday section tomorrow