It’s been more than two years since Meghan Markle moved to California after she and Prince Harry announced they were stepping down as senior members of the royal family. Although she doesn’t have any family in Santa Barbara, the duchess is now just a short car ride away from her mom, Doria Ragland.
So, who is Meghan Markle’s mother? Here, seven things you probably didn’t know about Ragland.
Ragland earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern California. She currently works as a licensed social worker who specializes in geriatric patients. Although she previously worked for Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services in Culver City, California, she resigned shortly after Markle’s May 2018 wedding. Surprise, surprise.
When she’s not using her degree, Ragland has a side hustle as a yoga instructor. She previously taught classes in the Los Angeles area, though she’s been keeping a low profile for the past few years.
Ragland introduced Meghan to yoga at an early age. “Yoga is my thing,” the duchess told Best Health. “My mom is a yoga instructor, and I started doing mommy-and-me yoga with her when I was 7.”
Some call her “the Duchess of Sussex.” Meghan’s mother, on the other hand, calls her “Flower.” In an interview with Best Health Magazine, the duchess revealed the unique moniker, saying, “I was very resistant [to yoga] as a kid, but she said, ‘Flower, you will find your practice—just give it time.’”
Ragland currently resides in the Crenshaw area of Los Angeles in a house she inherited from her father in 2011. Although she isn’t married, she lives with her two dogs, who are probably thrilled to be on the same continent as Prince Harry and Meghan’s pups…for once.
The duchess is the only child of Ragland and Thomas Markle. Although Thomas has a son, Thomas Jr., and a daughter, Samantha, from a previous relationship, Ragland has no other biological children.
Prior to Harry and Meghan’s wedding in May 2018, Ragland had tea with Queen Elizabeth, King Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles. The get-together took place at King Charles’s residence, Clarence House. *Raises pinkie*
The pair became friends shortly after Meghan and Harry started dating. The relationship originated when Doria and Oprah bonded over their mutual love of yoga.
“She’s great at yoga, so I said, ‘Bring your yoga mat and your sneaks in case we just want to do yoga on the lawn,’” Winfrey told Entertainment Tonight.
