Following a difficult year for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Doria Ragland stepped up to help her daughter and son-in-law by moving to Montecito.
The Express can exclusively reveal that Meghan’s 67-year-old yoga teacher mum has taken up residence in the Sussexes’ guesthouse on the grounds of their Californian mansion to help the couple through “tough times” and to avoid a nearly three-hour car journey from her home in View Park-Windsor Hills in Los Angeles.
“2023 was a tough year for both Harry and Meghan and Doria has been there for them,” the source said. “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.
“It takes nearly three hours to drive one way, so it made sense for her to move into the guesthouse. She now spends more time there than in her own house.”
The source adds that during the past 12 months, Meghan has lent on her mother more and more during what has been a rather difficult year for both her and Prince Harry.
It’s been over a year now since they have done anything of note. Harry and Meghan’s self-titled Netflix documentary was released in December 2022. Since then, they’ve lost out on a lucrative $20 million Spotify deal with exec Bill Simmons calling them “grifters”.
Netflix also cancelled the development of Pearl; an animated series created by Meghan. After signing with talent agency WME in April last year, there are still no new projects in the pipeline, and the couple are noticeably struggling in Hollywood.
“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,” the source said.
“Harry adores her as well and loves having her there. There are times when he needs alone time, so Doria heads over to the guesthouse to make herself scarce when needed.”
Doria also spent the Christmas holidays with the Sussexes at their Montecito home following the family’s holiday to Costa Rica in mid-to-late December where they visited Zapotal, Nandayure and Guanacaste.
“Doria has basically become the mother of the household,” the source said. “Harry loves to be mothered so he finds Doria being there very refreshing.”
The source adds that the close relationship Harry has with Doria has come as a welcomed distraction from the troubles he has with his own family in the UK. The rift between the Sussexes and the Royal Family is growing ever wider and hopes are fading that Harry will be able to patch things up with his father, King Charles, and brother Prince William.
“Harry appreciates the warmth and kindness that Doria brings to the family,” the source said. “He doesn’t get that from his side of the family and thinks it important that the children are close with their grandmother.”
Prince Harry said in a recent High Court hearing over the decision to take away his police protection that he and his wife ‘felt forced’ to leave the Royal Family and his children can’t ‘feel at home’ in the UK due to their lack of security.
“Harry is keen to come back to the UK this year, but there needs to be a lot ironed out in terms of security arrangements and other logistics before that can happen,” the source said. “Harry wants to secure a house for the family in the countryside so that they can spend as much time as they want in England.”
The Sussexes have been contacted for comment.
