Is Doria Ragland a pivotal figure in both Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's lives?

Although King Charles, Camilla Queen Consort, Prince William and Kate Middleton were reportedly invited to Lilibet’s christening, they did not attend. In the absence of Prince Harry’s close family attending, Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland was obviously at the christening in the capacity of Lilibet’s grandmother, but also to offer her support as Meghan’s mother and Prince Harry’s mother-in-law.

Without question, Doria Ragland has played a pivotal role in her daughter Meghan’s life and it would seem now has a strong influence on Prince Harry, as well. During their engagement interview in 2017, Meghan spoke about not only her friends meeting Harry, but her mum too. Harry also offered his thoughts on Doria and said: "Her mum’s amazing."

At Harry and Meghan’s wedding on Saturday 19 May 2018, Doria looked incredibly chic in a pale green Oscar de la Renta coat and dress. She stayed with Meghan the night before at Cliveden House and was with her daughter every step of the way as she made her way to the wedding ceremony in a Rolls-Royce Phantom 1V.

It was not until the Netflix documentary Harry and Meghan came out, however, that the public really got to hear from Doria herself. She explained how she felt about everything that had happened to the royal couple, from how Doria  felt when they first met to her feelings of fear when she herself was being photographed everywhere she went. "He was just really nice and they looked really happy together," Doria recounted her first impressions of Prince Harry. 

Doria also recalled how she didn’t feel safe herself when she went about her daily business. "I felt unsafe a lot," she said. "I can’t just go walk my dogs. I can’t just go to work. There was always someone there waiting for me."

Although Prince Harry and Meghan Markle originally had a nanny Lorren Khumalo for their son Archie, the couple are not believed to have one at present. Doria Ragland appears to be very much a hands-on grandmother to both Archie and Lilibet and is a regular visitor to their Montecito home. 

As Archie and Lilibet grow up, Doria is expected to continue to have a big involvement in not only their lives, but in the lives of Meghan and Harry too.