Queen ‘invites Meghan Markle’s mum Doria to spend Christmas with Royal Family in offer never extended to Kate Middleton’s relatives’
MEGHAN Markle's mum could be spending Christmas Day with the Royal Family after claims the Queen extended the invite to her new in-law.
Just months on from the Royal Wedding, Doria Ragland has reportedly been asked to Sandringham, Her Majesty's country estate in Norfolk.
A senior royal source said the offer was a "very thoughtful gesture" - and an unusual one.
Kate Middleton's family has previously been invited to the Christmas morning church service, but have preferred to celebrate the day at the Cambridges' home in Anmer Hall.
Speaking to the , the source said: “It’s a mark of the Queen’s respect for Meghan and an acknowledgement that she doesn’t have any other relations in this country – unlike Kate who has the support of a very close family.”
Doria Ragland's calm, warm demeanour appears to have impressed the Palace, after she was seen chatting away to her in-laws at the Royal Wedding.
She is known to be very close to Meghan, 37, and is said to even be planning a return to London to help with her new grandchild in the New Year.
The 62-year-old from Cleveland, Ohio, has been described by the Duchess of Sussex as a "free-spirited clinical therapist" who often took her travelling to remote places when she was younger.
Doria said she was thrilled at the Meghan's pregnancy, saying she was "very happy about this lovely news and is looking forward to welcoming her first grandchild."
Her relationship with the Royal Family marks a strong contrast to that with Meghan's dad, Thomas Markle.
The 74-year-old former lighting director has courted controversy over multiple interviews he has given over Meghan and the Royal Family.
He was due to walk his daughter down the aisle, but pulled out after revealing he had suffered a heart problem.
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In July he told The Sun On Sunday how he believed his daughter was masking the pressure of being part of the Royal Family.
He also expressed a fear he could die soon and that it was the longest he and Meghan had gone without speaking.
Buckingham Palace told The Sun Online they were unable to comment on private matters concerning the Royal Family.
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