Often have we heard that no bride wants to share the spotlight on her wedding day; however, Meghan Markle had no choice once the world met her mother Doria Ragland.
Markle has proven to be a class act, holding up quite well under global scrutiny. It was during her mother's arrival to England that we learned the source of the new duchess’s calm and collective nature. As the public finally gained a chance to gawk at Prince Harry’s future mother-in-law, we couldn't help but gush over the 61-year-old.
Unknown: Can we take a moment to honor this beautiful, strong womam (Meghan Markle’s Mom, Doria Ragland) who sat alone, wistfully alone, a million miles from home -in a situation so foreign to her own life- w/ grace, dignity, poise, honor & deep love for the child she raised? pic.twitter.com/09BWaJRAQX
— Venton Blandin (@VentonBlandinTV) May 20, 2018
Meghan Markle's mom Doria Ragland is one of the best things about this royal wedding. ???? [AP] pic.twitter.com/wbwVYrGblC
— Abby Hamblin (@abbyhamblin) May 18, 2018
2018.
The look of a mom but also an American black mother who just witnessed her daughter become Duchess of Sussex. ???? So happy for Doria Ragland. #HarryandMeghan
#MeghanMarkle
The world will change even if there are those who don't want it to. ❤ pic.twitter.com/8U1QbbW7Hb— nicki ???? (@nickiknowsnada) May 19, 2018
Here are a few things you may not have known about her:
1. She's a social worker.
Ragland works specifically with the geriatric community. She reportedly still works at Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services in Culver City, California. She also accomplished her "lifelong dream" of licensure in 2015 from the University of Southern California.
2. She's a dedicated yogi who keeps to herself.
“She has been coming regularly for the past year,” an employee at her yoga studio in California told PEOPLE. “She seems very serious about her yoga practice. It’s clear that she isn’t at the studio to socialize. Still, she is very kind and pleasant. She always smiles.”
Ragland's neighbor says she's a nice, but reserved woman.
"She seems to live a quiet life,” a neighbor tells PEOPLE. “She is friendly, but doesn’t really seem to be close friends with any neighbors.”
3. Meghan is her only daughter.
#MyHeart ????❤️ ❤️ A mother’s love.. A mother’s strength!! I cried!! All alone but still gracious and full of love in her eyes!!! We appreciate you #DoriaRangland Big up to all the moms who do it all for their kiddos!! #RoyalWedding
#MothersLove
#meghanmarkle
#LoveIs
pic.twitter.com/2KrymAYnVy— Su Zie ✨???????? (@suzannapomade) May 19, 2018
Ragland split from Meghan's father when her daughter was young. According to an archived blog post, Ragland has often lovingly referred to her daughter as "Flower."
4. Harry loves her just as much as we do.
During the couple's first interview with the BBC, Prince Harry simply said, "Her mum’s amazing!"
5. She's a free spirit and Al Green lover.
In the same blog post that Markle speaks of her mother calling her flower, she said a lot about her mom's character, as well.
"Dreadlocks. Nose ring. Yoga instructor. Social worker. Free spirit. Lover of potato chips & lemon tarts. And if the DJ cues Al Green’s soul classic ‘Call Me,’ just forget it,” Markle wrote. “She will swivel her hips into the sweetest little dance you’ve ever seen, swaying her head and snapping her fingers to the beat like she’s been dancing since the womb. And you will smile. You won’t be able to help it. You will look at her and you will feel joy. I’m talking about my mom."
Wow. We certainly get it; she’s pretty bomb.