When cameras caught the look of pure happiness and pride on the face of Duchess Meghan’s mother at her royal wedding to Prince Harry, it’s safe to say our hearts melted.
From that point on, Doria Ragland became known as our Queen of Hearts.
There’s no mistaking the 62-year-old for the powerhouse she is: just look at how incredibly poised and caring her only daughter Meghan is – that kind of person can only have been raised by the best.
The mother and daughter duo have certainly already left a strong impression on the royal family. Earlier in September, Doria attended the launch of Meghan’s charity cookbook at Kensington Palace – an unprecedented move given non-royal family members traditionally don’t join royals on official engagements.
Aside from testing royal rules, the moment alone is enough to realise just how much Doria means to Meghan.
Now, rumours are circulating that the royal mum might be moving to London to be closer to her daughter, and how could we blame her?
Ragland has clearly been an incredible pillar of strength, stability and support to Duchess Meghan, and it’s entirely understandable she would want to be by her daughter’s side as she embarks on this new royal chapter.
In light of this, we decided to explore who the new Duchess’s inspiring mother is, what she stands for and how she has got to where she is.
Keep scrolling for all things pertaining to our new Queen of Hearts, Doria Ragland.
She’s a “free spirited role model” according to Meghan
It’s no secret Doria and her daughter are close, and the Duchess of Sussex has discussed her mum’s kind nature in past interviews.
Meghan previously said of her mum: “For me to watch this level of lifelong sensitivity to nurturing and caregiving, but at the same time my mum has always been a free spirit.”
“She’s got dreadlocks and a nose ring. She just ran the LA Marathon. We can just have so much fun together, and yet, I’ll still find so much solace in her support.”
She raised Meghan to give back
Taking to her former blog, The Tig, the Duchess wrote of her parents: “Both my parents came from little, so they made a choice to give a lot… performing quiet acts of grace – be it a hug, a smile, or a pat on the back to show ones in need that they would be alright.”
“This is what I grew up seeing, so that is what I grew up being,” she wrote.
She has an adorable nickname for Meghan
Meghan also revealed on The Tig that Ragland calls her ‘Flower’. The blog post discussed Doria’s influence on Meghan to be a global citizen: “I must have been about 10 years old when we visited the slums of Jamaica. I had never seen poverty at that level and it registered in my glazed brown eyes. ‘Don’t look scared, Flower,'” she said. “‘Be aware, but don’t be afraid’,” the Duchess wrote.
Doria was a make-up artist back in the day
According to Refinery29, Ragland trained to be a make-up artist, which coincidentally was how she met Meghan’s father Thomas. The pair were working on the set of General Hospital where Thomas was working as a lighting technician and cinematographer.
She worked as a social worker at a mental health clinic in LA
Meghan has said of her mum: “She works specifically with the geriatric community.” If her kind-hearted nature is anything to go by, working in this field is a great fit for Doria.
She’s got some serious style game
This gallery alone should be enough to prove the Duchess of Sussex’s mum is winning in the style stakes. From her soft green outfit at the royal wedding to this chic beige ensemble she wore to Meghan’s charity cookbook launch at Kensington Palace. Safe to assume we’ll be taking fashion cues from this muse for years to come!
She’s a serious yogi
Doria has also been a yoga instructor, and her love for the practice has been passed onto her daughter. Meghan previously told Women’s Health that yoga was in her blood: “I love an intense vinyasa class – and even better if its blasting hip-hop and done in a dark room with candlelight,” she told the publication.
Her favourite part of the royal wedding was meeting Queen Elizabeth II
A source revealed to Us Weekly that Doria’s highlight from the big day was meeting the Queen: “It would have been extremely intimidating for anyone, but Meghan and Harry really did a marvelous job of preparing her [with] what to expect,” the source said.
Prince Harry is a big fan
The ginger Prince has been outspoken on his “amazing” mother-in-law in the past. In the royal couple’s engagement interview, Harry gushed about Doria, saying they had spent a lot of time getting to know each other. “Her mum’s amazing,” he said.
She has friends in high places
When Oprah attended the wedding of Meghan and Harry back in May, rumours about the talk show queen’s relationship with Doria were rife. Murmurs of a sit-down interview between the two are still circling, but Oprah has given some more insight herself in an interview with Entertainment Tonight. Oprah revealed that Meghan’s mum had come to her house where they had discussed doing yoga together. Oprah also provided her with a basket of kumquats!
As for the interview between the pair? Oprah neither confirmed nor denied, saying: “For all of the people who said I am getting her gifts and I’m trying to bribe her for an interview – they were kumquats. If kumquats can get you an interview, I’m all for it!”
She gets along well with Prince Charles
At the royal wedding in May, Prince Charles and Doria seemed to get along swimmingly, with the future King chatting away to the bride’s mother after the ceremony. Charles also led Doria and his wife Camilla down the stairs outside the chapel, linking arms with both ladies.
