The Duchess of Sussex has referred to her mom as her 'best friend.'
Meghan Markle's baby is gaining a wonderful maternal grandmother!
Ahead of the arrival of Meghan's first child with Prince Harry, ET is looking at the best moments the Duchess of Sussex has shared with her own mom, Doria Ragland. From meeting Harry to Doria's plans to spend time in the U.K. after the birth of her grandchild, keep reading for the best moments of this mother-daughter pair.
Meghan gushed about her mom in a 2017 interview
Months before her November 2017 engagement to Prince Harry, Meghan penned an article for Glamour, naming 10 women who have changed her life, one of whom was her mom.
"My mom's a yoga instructor, but she does social work, as well, and she works specifically with the geriatric community," Meghan wrote. "For me to watch this level of life-long sensitivity to nurturing and caregiving, but at the same time, my mom has always been a free spirit. She's got dreadlocks and a nose ring. She just ran the L.A. Marathon."
"We can just have so much fun together, and yet, I'll still find so much solace in her support," she continued. "That duality coexists the same way it would in a best friend."
Doria and Meghan attend the Invictus Games with Prince Harry
During Meghan and Harry's first public appearance together in September 2017, Doria stood in the stands with her daughter while Harry congratulated the athletes for their hard work throughout the Toronto-based event.
The mother-daughter duo appeared glowing and happy at the occasion, with Doria sporting a long-sleeve shirt, jeans and glasses, while Meghan opted for a light-colored coat and an all-black outfit.
The mother-daughter duo planned Meghan's wedding together
Following her engagement to Harry, Meghan jetted off to Los Angeles in April 2018 to chat with her mom about her then-upcoming nuptials. "She was in L.A. to visit her mother, share wedding plans and show her mom designs of her dress," a source told ET at the time.
Doria later came out to London to continue "to help Meghan with wedding planning" and "meet some of Harry's relatives for the first time," the source added.
Meghan's mom got her first peek at her daughter's final wedding dress when she arrived in the U.K. ahead of the wedding.
Doria arrives ahead of Meghan's wedding
Prior to the nuptials, a source told ET that Doria arrived in the U.K. early in order "to help Meghan relax in the last days before she becomes a [royal]."
Additionally, just days before the royal wedding, Doria met Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Queen Elizabeth.
"Ms. Ragland felt incredibly welcomed and thoroughly enjoyed it," a source told ET at the time.
The mother-daughter duo was glowing following the royal family meet and greet, when Meghan and Doria arrived at Cliveden House Hotel, where they spent the night before Meghan's wedding.
Doria attends the royal wedding
On May 19, Doria proudly arrived at St. George's Chapel with Meghan in a Rolls-Royce. Sporting a Wedgewood green wool crepe dress and coat ensemble with ivory floral thread embroidery and a Regan box clutch, Doria had tears in her eyes as she made her way to her seat.
Doria apparently impressed the royal family at the wedding, with a source telling ET that "Doria’s quiet dignity and grace at the royal wedding has earned her enormous respect from Meghan’s new in-laws."
Harry, the source added, is "enormously fond" of his mother-in-law.
Doria supports her daughter during her first speech as the Duchess of Sussex
In September, Doria attended a party at Kensington Palace that Meghan and Harry threw in honor of the duchess' charitable cookbook, Together: Our Community Cookbook.
For the occasion, Meghan sported a black Tuxe top, Misha Nonoo skirt, matching Sarah Flint heels and a bright blue Smyth peacoat. Meanwhile, Doria, who was adorably overheard introducing herself as "Meg's mom," stunned in tan pants and a coordinating top and scarf.
Doria watched on proudly as Meghan gave a speech about what togetherness means to her.
Doria is expected to have a prominent role in her grandchild's life
Following the news of Meghan's pregnancy, Kensington Palace released a statement on behalf of Doria, where she gushed over her excitement regarding her future grandchild.
"Ms. Ragland is very happy about this lovely news, and she looks forward to welcoming her first grandchild," the statement read.
"They plan to spend a considerable amount of time in their Cotswold home and Doria will have a prominent role in their family as the children’s grandmother," a source told ET back in November.
Earlier this month, the duke and duchess moved into their new home, Frogmore Cottage, and reportedly plan to welcome Doria for visits often.
A source told ET that, while Doria is not expected to relocate to London now, the new property affords them the space for Doria to spend extended visits here as she gets to know her first grandchild.
Watch the video below for more on the preparations for Baby Sussex.
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