Prince Harry and Meghan Markle probably won’t look back on 2023 as their favorite year, but with a fresh slate ahead, the couple is reportedly making some personal moves to give them as much family support as possible. Even though the royal family feud is still lingering, the dynamic duo has found an incredibly ally in Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland.
The 67-year-old grandmother has helped Harry and Meghan navigate through “tough times” and is now making a big move, according to the Express. She is reportedly uprooting her Los Angeles life to move into their Montecito, California estate to be closer to her two grandchildren, Prince Archie, 4, and Princess Lilibet, 2. “2023 was a tough year for both Harry and Meghan and Doria has been there for them,” an insider told the U.K. outlet. “Doria looks fighting fit but she’s nearly 70 and gets tired of the car rides from her home to see her daughter and grandchildren.”
The long drive between LA and Montecito was also a factor in the decision, per the source, who added, “She now spends more time there than in her own house.” After the cancellation of their Spotify deal and the blowback from Harry’s memoir, Spare, Ragland came and saved the day for both of them. “Doria has really been Meghan’s rock over the past year. Not only has she been there for her daughter but has enjoyed helping to look after the grandchildren,” they continued. “Harry adores her as well and loves having her there.”
The Sussexes’ property is also large enough that Ragland doesn’t feel like she’s interfering in the family’s private life either. “There are times when [Harry] needs alone time, so Doria heads over to the guesthouse to make herself scarce when needed,” the insider said. He looks to her as a mother figure after the loss of his mom, Princess Diana at the age of 12. “Harry appreciates the warmth and kindness that Doria brings to the family,” the source noted. “He doesn’t get that from his side of the family and thinks it important that the children are close with their grandmother.”
Harry’s closeness with his mother-in-law goes back to 2017 when he called her “amazing” during the couple’s engagement interview. That relationship was reinforced in the Netflix docuseries, Harry & Meghan, where Ragland broke her silence by praising her son-in-law. “He was 6’1, a handsome man with red hair, really great manners. He was just really nice. And they looked really happy together. Yeah, like he was the one,” she said. With most of the royal family still shunning the Sussexes, it’s nice to see how Harry and Meghan have created their own stateside family to share their trials and tribulations with.
Click here to see Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s complete relationship timeline.
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