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As Meghan Markle’s sole representative of her bloodline – her mother Doria Ragland – sat alone in the pews of Windsor Castle, the world watched on. In this extraordinary moment, Ragland, 61, was the epitome of grace as she watched her daughter enter the Royal family. On the opposite side of the aisle was an empty seat, the one where Prince Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, would have sat.
In Oscar de la Renta, no doubt a gift from her daughter much the same as the day before’s Burberry, Ragland was understandably emotional. Her hands were neatly placed in her lap as she nodded her head and gently smiled. It was obvious where Markle got her beauty and poise from. The pair share an incredibly close bond.
Walking outside with the Prince Of Wales, Charles, Ragland stood at the steps of Windsor Castle and waved goodbye to her daughter who was now in the Royal Chariot for a spin around Windsor. Ragland has never given an interview to the media – some are predicting she will with Oprah – and thus so many questions surfaced: Who was this beautiful woman?
Ragland, a social worker and yoga teacher, was born in 1956 in Ohio. In her earlier years, she worked as a make-up artist on a film set where she met and later married Markle’s father, set lighting director Thomas, in 1979. They divorced nine years later. Ragland currently still resides in Los Angeles. It is beleived her daughter helped fund Ragland’s yoga degree, her “lifelong dream”.
So what will the mother of the newest Duchess do next? In the past, The Queen has invited new members of the Royal Family to social events (Kate Middleton’s parents, Carole and Michael, have attended numerous Royal festivities). Ragland did not attend Prince Charles’ 70th birthday overnight.
Many Royal watchers have predicted Ragland will return to her quiet life in Los Angeles and travel back-and-forth to the U.K. to visit her daughter. She will remain a firm support to Markle as she navigates her life.