Meghan Markle Moves 5,000km Away From Mum Doria — But What She Plans to Do Next Has Everyone Talking
Meghan Markle is planning to see her mum – who remains in California – “regularly” despite moving across the Atlantic to the UK last week, a source has suggested.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have returned to Harry’s homeland, touching down in Birmingham on Wednesday for an “extended period”.
The family are believed to be setting up camp in the Cotswolds, where it is understood Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, have been enrolled in a local prep school.
Harry is said to be keen to take on a “full-time dad” role, with reports suggesting he could be ready to settle back in the UK for up to 15 years.
As for Meghan, she is anticipated to adopt a more “come and go” approach, returning to California regularly, where she runs her lifestyle brand As Ever.
The couple’s retention of their £11million Montecito mansion – despite annual costs potentially surpassing $600,000 while in the UK – indicates their desire to be a more “international” family.
The move, of course, brings Harry closer to his estranged family. He has met his father, King Charles, just a handful of times since sensationally quitting royal duties and upping sticks to the US.
But the shoe is on the other foot for Meghan, who is now moving 5,000km away from her mother, Doria Ragland, after she celebrated her 70th birthday on Wednesday.
Meghan Markle is planning to see her mum – who remains in California – ‘regularly’ despite moving across the Atlantic to the UK last week
| PA
However, a source told People: “Meghan plans to see her mom regularly. They’re incredibly close.”
For the past six years, Ms Ragland has served as the family’s emotional anchor and a constant figure in their daily lives.
The devoted grandmother currently resides in a bungalow in an affluent neighbourhood on the outskirts of Los Angeles, situated less than two hours’ drive from the Sussexes’ Montecito estate
In the absence of his own mother, Harry has grown very close to his mother-in-law
| GETTY
In the absence of his own mother, Harry has grown very close to his mother-in-law.
He previously called Ms Ragland “amazing” during a BBC interview announcing his engagement.
Archie and Lilibet’s grandmother is understood to have been present during the Sussexes’ final days in Montecito, during which they are said to have hosted some of their closest friends so the children could enjoy “special time”.
“It wasn’t a goodbye forever. It was much more, ‘We’ll be back, but this is what we’re doing right now’,” a source explained.
The initial indications are that the family will travel to and from California regularly, though Meghan more so.
They are anticipated to spend Christmas on the West Coast – avoiding awkward rumours of a royal reunion – and could make use of school holidays to travel back to Montecito.
Ms Ragland is expected to keep her California home as a base while travelling regularly to visit the family in Britain.
According to TMZ insiders, she will remain close to the couple’s American property, where she reportedly has a dedicated “granny flat” within the Montecito mansion. Her wide circle of friends in California provides further reason to stay rooted there.
