CAROLE and DORIA:

How the royal matriarchs measure up

At first glance, Carole Middleton, impeccably attired and discreetly dutiful, would seem to have little in common with Doria Ragland, a funky ex-hippy-chick from LA. But a closer look at the 60-something mothers-inlaw suggests surprising similarities. 1 Both are from humble backgrounds. Born in a council flat, Carole worked as a shop girl and air hostess before marrying a young businessman who became a multi-millionaire. Doria’s ancestors worked on a slave plantation, and her childhood was spent moving around as her parents struggled to find work. 2 They both know what it’s like to be sneered at. Snobs have mocked Carole’s airs. Doria has experienced shameful racism. 3 They’re serious about staying in shape. Carole swims, plays tennis and has regular spa treatments, while Doria is a devotee of yoga and running, and follows a California “wellness” guru. 4 Both are behind their daughters. While it may not be strictly true Carole sent Kate to a Scottish university in the hope she’d meet Prince William, there’s no doubting her ambition for her children, or readiness to splash out on their education. Doria, too, paid for Meghan to attend one of Hollywood’s most exclusive schools. 5 They both have embarrassing relatives. Doria’s ex-stepchildren, Samantha Grant and Thomas Markle, have been in the press, bad-mouthing Meghan and landing in trouble. Carole’s brother Gary Goldsmith was fined and described by a judge as a “lout” last November for punching his wife in a street brawl.