‘Meghan will feel comforted when Doria moves in after the baby’
As it’s revealed that the Duchess of Sussex is expecting her first baby, royal correspondent Jennie Bond tells Closer that Meghan’s mum will play a key role, and that the nursery is already underway
She’s been the Duchess of Sussex’s rock throughout her whirlwind rise from Hollywood actress to celebrated royal. And now, following the announcement that Meghan and Prince Harry are expecting their first baby, Doria Ragland will reportedly be making the move across the pond to the UK to support her pregnant daughter ahead of their new arrival next spring.
Meghan’s mother Doria, a yoga teacher from Los Angeles, was thrust into the spotlight after her daughter fell in love with Prince Harry, 34, and despite the distance between them when the actress, 37, moved to London, she has been supporting her through a challenging year.
Now, royal correspondent Jennie Bond tells Closer that when Doria, 62, reportedly moves to the UK early next year, it’s likely she will live on the royal grounds at Kensington Palace to remain close to the couple, who are currently on a 16-day tour of Australia.
PREPARATIONS
Jennie says, “There are very strong rumours that Doria will move to the UK, and I think Harry and Meghan would gladly welcome her into their home. She is likely to temporarily live on the royal grounds at Kensington Palace to be close-by after the baby is born. As Meghan’s family and friends are mostly all over the US, I’m sure Doria’s presence will be a much-needed comfort for her.”
The royal baby – which is due next spring – will be Harry and Meghan’s first child and seventh in line to the throne.
And Jennie says that Meghan will be well-looked after in the royal household during her pregnancy, and the royal nursery at their 21-room cottage will have already been set up.
She adds, “Meghan will have help, advice, guidance and support at the click of her fingers. She will have medical help on hand at all times and whenever she needs it, and I’m sure she’ll have doctors come to their cottage regularly for check-ups. There may be extra security on her now, too.
“The nursery will be made ready for them. With 21 rooms, they would have had quite a lot of choice. I’m sure those plans will already be in place as the decorators have already been in recently. With William and Kate right next door, the kids will be growing up together and the child will have the perfect playmates.”
After the couple announced their joy in a royal statement that mentioned Harry’s grandmother the Queen and Doria being over the moon at the news, Meghan’s estranged step-sister Samantha Markle was quick to publicly bring up their family feud.
Samantha said, “I hope my dad is included, and at a proper time. If he is excluded, I won’t be happy. It is in the best interests of the baby.”
Meghan has reportedly not spoken to Samantha in over ten years, while her father Thomas, 74, hit the headlines in May, when it was revealed he staged paparazzi shots for money and pulled out of the couple’s wedding just days before he was supposed to walk Meghan down the aisle.
BRINGING PERSPECTIVE
But Jennie tells Closer that she believes the birth of a royal baby will bring the family together and that Thomas is likely to make a trip to the UK once the baby is born.
She says, “The grandparents aren’t usually mentioned at all at the announcement of a royal baby, so Samantha doesn’t have a right to rant about that. A joyful occasion like this can bring a sense of perspective to things that have gone on before, and there will be a royal christening, so I expect we’ll see him come over to visit the child.
“I think we may see him over here once the baby is born – Meghan or the Palace would have to be heartless not to let him come. His visit would be very carefully controlled by officials and the Palace would have to help out a lot to give him protection from the paparazzi.”
❛SHE’LL HAVE HELP, ADVICE, GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT AT THE CLICK OF HER FINGERS❜