Who is Meghan Markle’s mother Doria Ragland and what has she said about Meghan's pregnancy?

Here is the lowdown on the woman who's delighted that Meghan and Harry are expecting her first grandchild…

Who is Doria Ragland?

Doria Ragland, 62, is a yoga instructor and social worker from Cleveland, Ohio.

She gave birth to Meghan in August 1981 and divorced Meghan's father Thomas when she was six-years-old.

Her Facebook page states she works in social work at Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services in California.

Meghan has described her mum as a "free-spirited clinical therapist" and is proud she took her travelling to remote – often impoverished – places when she was younger.

What has Doria Ragland said about Meghan's pregnancy?

The Palace announced the news of Meghan's pregnancy on October 15, 2018.

Doria said she was "very happy about this lovely news and is looking forward to welcoming her first grandchild."

It is thought that Harry and Meghan announced the news in private to the Royal Family at Princess Eugenie's wedding on Friday October 12.

When asked if Meghan's dad Thomas had been made aware of the news the Palace responded with "no comment."

Is Doria Ragland moving to the UK?

In August 2018 it was reported that Doria is planning to move to the UK in order to provide more support to her daughter.

The Express quoted an unnamed source from LA, who said: “She is getting ready to move to London. I think she will be going as soon as possible.

In September 2018 it was also claimed that Doria has already made secret visits to the UK and stayed at a secluded cottage in the Cotswolds.

A source told the Mail on Sunday: "The visit was totally under the radar… Doria supported Meghan throughout a lot of the ordeal with Thomas."

On September 18, 2018, Doria flew back to the UK to see her daughter and Prince Harry and join them at the Grenfell Community Hubb Kitchen where Meghan has contributed a foreword for a Grenfell charity cookbook.

According to a body language expert, Prince Harry's posture and gestures suggest that he feels shy and intimidated by his other half's mother.

Who designed Doria Ragland's Royal Wedding outfit?

The mother of the bride rode with Meghan in the car to the venue, where finally revealed her dress.

Meghan’s only relative at the wedding was her mum, after her father pulled out at the last minute.

Doria opted for an outfit by Oscar de la Renta, in a subtle pale pistachio green coat and day dress, with white floral embroidery along the bottom.

She paired it with a matching hat by Stephen Jones, and paired the look with Aquazzura heels.

What was life like for Doria and Meghan growing up?

Doria is African-American, while Meghan's father is Dutch-Irish, and their difference in skin tone led to the family receiving racial abuse when she was younger.

The star has since said that because her mother is black with dreadlocks, and she passes as Caucasian.

Throughout her childhood, she often came under fire growing up as people questioned whether her mother was, in fact, her biological mum.

Meghan recalled how her mother was mistaken for the nanny before adding in an interview: "I was home in LA on a college break when my mom was called the ‘N’ word. We were leaving a concert and she wasn’t pulling out of a parking space quickly enough for another driver."

Writing for Elle Magazine, she added: “Being biracial paints a blurred line that is equal parts staggering and illuminating.

“While my mixed heritage may have created a grey area surrounding my self-identification, keeping me with a foot on both sides of the fence, I have come to embrace that.

"To say who I am, to share where I’m from, to voice my pride in being a strong, confident mixed-race woman."

Where is Doria Ragland from?

The 61-year-old was born in Ohio, to parents who were a nurse and an antique dealer.

The family later moved to Los Angeles, where Doria attended Fairfax High School.

After school she would work as a make-up artist, which is how she met Meghan’s dad, Thomas, who was a lighting director.

Following their marriage in 1979, the family settled down in The Valley, LA.

Doria then worked as an air stewardess, with Meghan looked after by her father, but the couple divorced in 1987, when Meghan was six.

When did Doria meet Meghan's husband Prince Harry?

Prince Harry flew Doria out to Toronto to join Meghan and himself at the Invictus Games in October.

Royal experts said Harry’s decision to invite Meghan’s mum to join them at the closing ceremony of his Invictus Games was “hugely significant.”

They said that flying yoga instructor Doria Ragland 2,500 miles from LA to Toronto to be seen alongside them in the VIP box suggested an engagement announcement was imminent.

She watched them marry on May 19, fighting back the tears as they shared their first kiss.

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