Granny Doria
While it may be a while before Harry’s side of the family meet little Lili, at least granny Doria can lavish love and attention upon the tot
New grandmothers all dote on their new arrivals and there’s no doubt that for Doria Ragland, Meghan Markle’s mum, baby Lili will be a delight.
The baby, a sister for little Archie, two, is Doria’s second grandchild, and likely her last after Meghan, her only child, declared she and Harry didn’t want more than two children.
What better reason could glamorous Doria have to lavish love and attention upon her only granddaughter?
With Harry’s relationship with his family still under strain and Meghan estranged from her dad and half-siblings, Doria must be of utmost importance to the new parents.
Meghan’s relationship with her father, Thomas, fell apart under the glare of the global spotlight in the run-up to her wedding in 2018, but Doria has remained steadfast, discreet and devoted. The only member of Meghan’s family to attend the wedding, she has never spoken publicly about her daughter.
A make-up artist turned yoga instructor and social worker, Doria gets on well with Harry, who has paid tribute to his ‘amazing’ mother-in-law.
Indeed, it has even been suggested that ‘Lili’, the name the baby will go by is not just short for the Queen’s nickname Lilibet, but is also a nod to ‘Flower’ – Doria’s pet name for Meghan.
A long-time resident of California, Doria lives in the View Park-Windsor Hills area of Los Angeles, an hour-anda-half’s drive from the couple’s Montecito mansion – so it will be fairly easy for her to keep a watchful eye on Lili and, of course, big brother Archie.
Certainly, Meghan has supreme confidence in her beloved mum’s ability, saying once, ‘For me to watch this level of lifelong sensitivity to nurturing and care-giving, but at the same time my mum has always been a free spirit. We can just have so much fun together, and yet, I’ll still find so much solace in her support.’
When Archie was born in 2019, Doria moved into Frogmore
Cottage to help with the new arrival. And what’s the betting that Doria will be staying over to lend a hand with Lili? After all, there is plenty of room in the mansion, with nine bedrooms and 16 bathrooms!
Harry has spoken about his love of the outdoor Californian lifestyle before, saying how he cherishes trips to the beach and bike rides with Archie.
And there’s no doubt that Doria – who passed on her love of yoga to Meghan – will be a hands-on granny, ready for rough and tumble with the kids in the outdoors, as well as lavishing them with love.
‘I’ll find so much solace in her support’