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Cape Town - Scathing public criticism from her father and sister are nothing new to the Duchess of Sussex – but even a royal figure needs the soothing comfort only a mother can offer.
Doria Ragland (62) secretly flew to her daughter’s side from the US after an ongoing spat between the royal family and Thomas Markle (74). The highly guarded visit took place in July, The Metro reports.
“Duchess Meghan’s mom, Doria Ragland, visited Prince Harry and her daughter for an extended stay at their Oxfordshire home this summer,” royal correspondent Omid Scobie told Harper’s Bazaar.
“Doria is said to enjoy a close relationship with Harry and continues to be a pillar of strength for Meghan.”
Ahead of the couple’s wedding in May, Thomas claimed he dropped a call between himself and Prince Harry after a heated argument. Harry had reportedly been furious about Thomas speaking to the press, Mail Online reports.
“I’m not mad at Harry. I’m not mad at Meghan,” Thomas said afterwards.
“I love them and I wish them well, but as for the rest . . . f*** it, I’m done.”
Her ex-husband’s tirade must have pushed Doria over the edge because she hopped on a plane from Los Angeles and made her way to her daughter’s side two months later.
According to a close friend of Doria, who also lives in LA, the former yoga instructor plans to move to the UK for good, The Express reports.
“I think she’ll be going as soon as possible,” the friend said. “She hasn’t been staying at her house for a while now. She’s only visited the house occasionally and when she’s there she has had a security guard with her.
“She’s fiercely loyal to Meghan and would never betray her like the rest of them.”
Doria’s pal says England’s scenery has also captured her heart. “She fell in love with England and told me when she got back that it’s somewhere she believes she too could happily live.”
Doria recently quit her job as a social worker for the Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services clinic in Culver City, California.
She’s been taking baby-care classes at the Cradle Company in nearby Pasadena, News.au reports.
“Meghan wants to avoid hiring staff once her first child arrives,” an insider told Daily Star.
“The thought of having her mom move in with them and take on the role of the baby nurse is the best possible solution to that.”
And it seems Doria is already halfway prepared.
“She already specialises in prenatal yoga,” the insider said. “She’s learnt everything from breastfeeding and lactation consultancy to basic baby care, CPR and first aid. The course also covers sleep training for later on, weaning and helping the new mother with her recovery.”
Sources: The Metro, Mail Online, The Express
