Who is Meghan Markle's mother, and will she be walking her daughter down the aisle?

Here's everything we know so far...

Meghan Markle's mother
(Image credit: Rex)

Here's everything we know so far...

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to wed in a matter of days at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, and with the bride's father Thomas Markle now reportedly unable to attend, people have been wondering who will walk the bride down the aisle.

While father-in-law Prince Charles and brother-in-law Prince William are in the mix, it looks most likely that the job will fall to the woman who has been at the bride's side her whole life, Meghan Markle's mother, Doria Ragland.

Tim Rooke/REX

But who is Meghan Markle's mother?

Doria Ragland is a 61-year-old yoga instructor from LA, who Meghan lived with during her childhood, following her parents' divorce.

Meghan is Doria's only child, and the two are known to have a close relationship, with Doria accompanying Meghan on the red carpet on many occasions and even attending the Invictus Games with Meghan and Harry last year.

'My mom's a yoga instructor, but she does social work, as well, and she works specifically with the geriatric community,' Meghan wrote in an essay about the 10 women who changed her life for Glamour last year.

'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 dread locks and a nose ring. She just ran the LA marathon. We can just have so much fun together, and yet, I'll still find so much solace in her support. That duality coexists the same way it would in a best friend.'

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With the mother and daughter being so close, it's hardly surprising that Doria has a special role on the day, set to stay with Meghan in Windsor the night before the wedding and then ride in the car to the church with her. It would make sense therefore, if she continued up the aisle with her daughter on her arm.

Doria is thought to have arrived in the UK for the royal wedding, spotted on her way to Los Angeles Airport on Tuesday evening, carrying a Burberry garment bag.

She is now reportedly set to have tea with The Queen, Prince William and the Duchess of Cornwall ahead of her daughter's wedding, where she will be playing the role of mother and father of the bride.

We'll be tuning in to watch the nuptials on Saturday.

Jenny Proudfoot
Features Editor

Jenny Proudfoot is an award-winning journalist, specialising in lifestyle, culture, entertainment, international development and politics. She has worked at Marie Claire UK for seven years, rising from intern to Features Editor and is now the most published Marie Claire writer of all time. She was made a 30 under 30 award-winner last year and named a rising star in journalism by the Professional Publishers Association.