It’s no secret we’re quite fond of the new Duchess of Sussex, Meghan (née Markle). But if there’s anyone we especially adore, it’s her mother, Doria Ragland, she of the pierced nose, perfectly-coiffed locs, teacher of yoga poses and admirable poise amidst family drama during her daughter’s nuptials last spring.
Apparently, we’re not Ragland’s only admirers. According to Vanity Fair, her grace and discretion has also won the approval of Queen Elizabeth II, who had tea with Ragland prior to the royal wedding in May, and has now reportedly extended an invitation for Prince Harry’s mother-in-law to spend this year’s holidays with the royal family at her estate, Sandringham House in Norfolk, England.
This report comes just weeks after Meghan and Harry announced they are expecting their first child , which no doubt influenced the Queen’s decision. If Ragland, who has been reported to be moving to London to be closer to her daughter (and soon, grandchild) accepts the invite (and why wouldn’t she?), it would mark a first in royal protocol, as even Kate Middleton’s family hasn’t been invited to stay at Sandringham (though they have joined the royal family for Christmas Day services, and typically stay at Prince William and Kate’s nearby home).
Kensington Palace has yet to issue an official statement, but a royal source told Vanity Fair:
“The Queen was very impressed by Mrs. Ragland when they met. ... The Queen knows that Meghan’s family situation is complicated and that the easiest way for Meghan and Harry to be together and with Doria, which is what they want, is for them all to join her at Sandringham where there is plenty of space. It’s not the norm but then things seem to have changed quite a lot recently.”
As for what Christmas dinner will be like with the British royal family, there’s no word on whether they’ll be incorporating a few of the new duchess’ avowed favorites, which she discussed during the debut of Together: Our Community Cookbook, which she helped co-create with the women affected by the tragic 2017 Grenfell Tower Fire.
“One of my own favorite meals is collard greens, black-eyed peas [and] cornbread —a meal I would look forward to throughout my childhood” Meghan said, as reported by Hello magazine. “During my time at university in Chicago I would wait with bated breath to return to LA for the winter break and have a bowl of my mother’s gumbo.”