Duchess Meghan’s mom Doria Ragland has finally arrived in England

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Two Sundays ago, I was vibing on the idea that the Duchess of Sussex would give birth any day now. My prediction was any time last week. Obviously, that didn’t happen. So I guess it will happen in the next week? Meghan made it through all of the most notable possible shared birthdays – Hitler’s on the 20th, the Queen’s on the 21st – and now some are wondering if she’ll give birth on Prince Louis’s birthday, the 23rd (tomorrow). I don’t know. I don’t have any vibe anymore. But I do think it will happen soonish, because Doria in England now:

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry‘s royal baby is almost here! The Duchess of Sussex’s mom, Doria Ragland, has arrived in the U.K. from Los Angeles ahead of the birth of her first grandchild, Entertainment Tonight reports.

[From People]

I’m so glad Doria is there now, especially given all the shenanigans that happened over the weekend with the story about William and Buckingham Palace looking for ways to send the Sussexes out of the country. Meghan doesn’t even need to focus on that right now – she just needs to focus on the last days of her pregnancy and the baby.

People Magazine also did a story about the royal nanny hunt and they managed not to fear-monger or outrage-monger about the possibility of a “manny” or an American nanny.

“The Duchess of Sussex is up to date on all the different options, she knows what she’s doing, she’s done her research and she knows exactly what she is looking for,” Sarajane Ambrose, founder of Imperial Nannies, a leading childcare agency in London who has experience of placing nannies with royal families, tells PEOPLE.

With just weeks to go until Meghan and Prince Harry welcome their new baby, the royal couple who have recently moved into Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, will already have hired a maternity nurse, says Ambrose, who has in the past worked with members of the British royal family as well as European royals. “They are specialists at looking after newborns and will teach the mother all about the care of her individual baby – they will then hand over to a nanny at a certain point, usually around the 3-month point.”

As for what sort of nanny the couple will hire, Ambrose won’t comment on whether they are using an agency such as hers, but she says the sort of childcare needed will be of the highest calibre.

“He or she has to be professional, discreet, do a very good job and be prepared to not speak to anybody about her experiences there, they will be on their toes the whole time and it can be isolating too,” she says. “There was a trend for male nannies a few years ago, but it’s really the personality match that’s important,” says Ambrose, who says male nannies or “mannies” as they are known, count for only 10 percent of the candidates on her books.

Whether or not Meghan chooses an American nanny or “manny,” Ambrose, who founded her agency 24 years ago, says British nannies are hugely popular in both her London (Kensington) and Bath offices. “Lots of Americans want a British nanny, maybe it’s the manners or just to offer them something different.”

[From People]

Yeah. All of these nanny stories are really jumping the gun, especially since she’s probably just going to have a baby nurse for the first few months and then she’ll make a choice about a nanny.

The Kardashian clan enjoy family dinner at Nobu but there is no sign of Khloe!

Photos courtesy of Backgrid, WENN, Avalon Red.

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76 Responses to “Duchess Meghan’s mom Doria Ragland has finally arrived in England”

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  1. Mads says:

    Thank heavens for that; Meghan finally has a friendly face and some loving support in addition to Harry at her side.

  2. Becks1 says:

    I became convinced she had the baby yesterday (or was in labor) because Jessica Mulroney posted a picture from their wedding that struck me as kind of random. So maybe baby is on its way!

    • Alissa says:

      I really want it to be tomorrow, because 1) it’s my birthday and 2) I think it would be amusing for her baby to have the same birthday as Louis!

  3. Peg says:

    Wanna bet Meghan is not going to have a night nurse for the first few months.

    • crogirl says:

      Why wouldn’t she have a night nurse? No shame in having one if you can afford it

      • Meg says:

        I’m not a parent but if u can afford it no shame whatsoever to get a night nurse. You’re recouperating from labor u get ur sleep.

    • Kcat says:

      Why wouldn’t she? I would have taken any expert help if it would have been an option. I didn’t get a solid night’s sleep for 8 years because of back-to-back pregnancies and nursing.

    • ByTheSea says:

      If I’d had the means, I definitely would’ve had a night nurse, if only to bring the baby over to breastfeed and then change him and put him back in his crib. Being up for most of the night is brutal on the body; I felt like death warmed over.

    • Dee says:

      I bet a million dollars that she won’t hand the baby over to a night nurse. Not that it’s “shameful” as someone suggested, but because she is clearly a very hands-on, touchy, lovey person, and an older mom. She’s not going to let that little one out of her sight, she’ll be so delighted with it! Bet you anything she will be an attachment parents, co-sleeps with it, and night nurses, etc. I was the same way, so maybe projecting! Can’t wait for this baby!!

      • Peg says:

        Thank you, that is why I said, Meghan and Harry are going to be all over baby Sussex, throw Doria in the mix as well.

      • HeyThere! says:

        DEE, I am the same way. I didn’t even want my husband to do stuff. LOL. When my brand new baby was doing any crying at all, i wanted to be there(more like needed to it was what I needed-hard to explain). A night nurse would have been good for me BUT I would have been standing right next to the nurse doing everything the entire time. It’s just who I am. No shame on anyone who can use one.

      • Monicack says:

        Still the judginess comes through. “Hand the baby over” does not have a positive or even neutral connotation. Every parent has the right to establish a care dynamic that is best for all involved. Despite the age of the mother the desire for and opportunity to receive extra help is not an indication of devotion or dedication to the new baby. Just saying.

      • Betsy says:

        Yeah, I’m with Monicack – those of us who put our babies to bed in their cribs and didn’t race to nurse all night long didn’t love our kids any less.

  4. Eeeeeeetrain says:

    Or maybe baby is here.

    • Bettyrose says:

      That’s my vibe. Harry joined TQ yesterday, which suggests new mum and baby are healthy & resting.

      • KidV says:

        Harry didn’t look exhausted enough for a new baby. He looked pretty damn good, actually.

    • Erinn says:

      I’m kind of hoping for that. I feel like there’s a good chance that she had the baby on the 20th/21st. Otherwise, I’d consider she might be set to be induced because she’s at the end of the waiting period and hasn’t gone yet. I could see Doria either hopping on a plane when she got the call that the labour started, or to be there right before – it could go either way.

      I just want some photos, honestly. I hope mom and baby either had – or will have – an easy go and quick recovery.

      • Sojaschnitzel says:

        I had a feeling aswell on the weekend that it’s suspiciously quiet and that the baby is maybe already there.

      • Lady D says:

        We don’t actually know for a fact that Doria is there. I find it strange there are no pictures at all of her. I’m assuming the media is massing as close as they can legally get to Frogmore these days?

      • bettyrose says:

        Lady D:

        Why wouldn’t Doria be there, though? We all know that Harry is very protective of Meg, so his spending hours away from her yesterday on/near her due date sends a strong message: Either 1. She’s already given birth and everyone is healthy or 2. Doria is there keeping an eye out. I lean towards both being true, because it’s hard for me to believe Harry would risk missing the birth (if London traffic is as severe as we’ve heard). I realizes TQ may not have many birthdays left, but somehow I doubt she’d want Harry to miss his baby’s birth.

  5. Peg says:

    Chris Ship from ITV news was complaining about the airplane noise on the long walk at Windsor, what a great deterrent.

    • Some chick says:

      Ooh, that’s a good point! I remember hearing about the airplane noise before, but it never occurred to me that it could possibly be used as a safety/privacy feature. Clever, if so!

  6. starryfish29 says:

    Meghan’s mom seems like such a sweetheart, I’m just as happy for her becoming a grandma as for Harry & Meghan becoming parents lol.

    • Susannah says:

      I agree Meghan’s her only child too and for this baby, Doria will be the only grandmother, so hopefully, it’ll be a really special relationship between grandmother and grandbaby.

  7. Tai says:

    All that silliness about sending H&M to Australia or Canada to be Governor Generals because William is threatened by their popularity in England. Don’t people writing these stories remember Charles will be king next not William? And how insulting to Canada and Australia. Those countries don’t just take in royal family members & give them a prestigious job because William is threatened. Actual citizens of those countries hold those positions, not people from out of country. And yes, I remember when Andrew & Fergie were popular the same idea was floated. It never happened and it won’t happen this time.

    • Dee says:

      We (canadians) would LOVE to have Meghan as Governor General! We have a really great astronaut now, and are vying for a seat on the Security Council. High profile and sensitive world leaders like Harry and Meghan would be treasured!

      • Sam Louise says:

        No, no we wouldn’t. Colonialism is over (or didn’t you get the memo?). A home-grown female astronaut is who we have right now. Only Canadian citizens are chosen. It’s 2019.

      • mazzie says:

        No, no we wouldn’t. We are a sovereign country and the Charter was repatriated here. The UK has no say in the running of our country and the Queen is merely a figurehead. Also, the tensions between the government (of any kind) and the First Nations people are tense. How you do think it’s going to be if they sent a Brit over? And an American? Nope.

      • Emby says:

        No we wouldn’t. It’s a vapid idea–I don’t want celebrities handling my government, thanks.

      • Jaded says:

        I would be incensed if we had a member of the BRF as GG. We are proud of our sovereign status and our current GG (Julie Payette – astronaut, multi-lingual, incredibly smart and passionate about Canada) is what a GG should be. Sorry not sorry but an English Prince and an American actress would be an insult.

      • TyrantDestroyed says:

        I truly like and feel honoured by Julie Payette representing Canadians as General Governor so I don’t understand your the point you tried to make.

      • Yvette says:

        To the Canadians. Is the Queen’s image still on your money? And if so, doesn’t it that sort of tell the tale?

      • Prairiegirl says:

        Yvette: she is. We’re a constitutional monarchy. Elizabeth II is Queen in Right of Canada and the Crown is divisible, much to the chagrin of the British Governments going back to the 1930s. Read up on it. We have had Canadians in the role of Governor General for the entirety of the post WWII period; we will not go back to members of the Royal Family going into that role. But thanks for playing.

    • Eliza says:

      Also these are appointed by the actual country, not the crown. So it’s not like the Queen can just pop them there. It would be a lot of favors and honestly look bad for everyone. I think the whole thing is just BS. And even when would they send them? Post partum? 2020? I think Harry and Meghan are extremely popular now, but I think they will lose their shine with time. Because no matter what, anyone who lives off taxpayers will do that in this environment (austerity/brexit). Cant publically flaunt millions you’ve essentially stolen from the people (both past and present – i say present bc they lie about how much it costs to support them or rather leave out security cost) without leaving a bad taste in people’s mouths.

  8. guest says:

    William probably Hope’s its soon. To take heat off his “send them africa” disaster.

  9. aquarius64 says:

    I am glad Doria is in the UK and thank God the Markles aren’t. I bet they were warned about showing up this time around.

  10. Rina says:

    Glad that Megan has her mom’s support. Happy for Meghan and Harry. And grandma, Doria.

  11. L84Tea says:

    All is right when Doria is around. That woman just radiates awesomeness.

    • RedWeatherTiger says:

      She does! I love her and am so glad Meghan has such a good Mom to help her through this challenging time. It’s challenging for ANY new Mom (and Dad)–especially so for Meghan.

  12. Charfromdarock says:

    Even from pictures, Ms. Ragland radiates warmth and calmness. I’m glad Meghan has her in her corner.

  13. Lisa says:

    Glad she has a friendly face to rely on right now.

  14. Seraphina says:

    I think baby may be expected this week and may come the first week of May. We wouldn’t want to steal any birthday attention away from the Cambridge babies. 🤣

    I too thought she may have been delivered over the weekend. And no shame in a night nurse. I had one with my second: my mom. And it was great!!!

  15. Weaver says:

    Pics or it didn’t happen. I swear every time In the past year that the media has claimed Doria was in the U.K. pics would emerge of her unbothered walking her dog in LA.

    • Peg says:

      And when she was hanging out in the Cotswolds over the Summer, they had no clue.
      Someone said Doria was in the UK a few weeks ago, and I thought that when Oprah was over there, she said to her friend Doria, ‘you want to pop over to England for a quick visit.’
      Of course Doria told her friend Opes, sure.
      They were no pictures of Doria leaving LA, and the press was staked at her home, so they know a Dogsitter is in the home and all her yoga classes are cancelled.

  16. Peg says:

    I had to laugh at the news yesterday, all commenting on a missing Meghan, no mention of Charles and Camilla whereabouts, funny Harry was there, but no it was meghan they were looking for.

  17. Mle428 says:

    Weren’t William and Kate married on 4/28? That would be a funny date to share.

  18. minx says:

    Come on, Polo Baby!

  19. line says:

    I think she gives birth early May in the week of 3 to 8

    • maxine ducamp says:

      Apparently, her make up artist, who’s been in London working with her posted on social media (Twitter? Instagram?) that he’d be back in NYC on May 5th. People are taking that as confirmation that she’ll have given birth by then.

      I do remember when the pregnancy was first announced and I believe stated that the baby was due in Spring 2019, a lot of people were certain that she was due in March. I remember thinking (and I think posting) that technically Spring is from mid-March thru mid-June, so I was thinking more along the lines of a May due date, maybe April at the earliest. We’ll find out soon enough, but I’m guessing sometime this week.

  20. HeyThere! says:

    I know I keep saying this, but until I hear otherwise I think that baby is here already!! LOL

    Okay so I enjoy history but I had zero idea that Hitler had a 4-20 birthday. I have an April birthday and soooo many of my friends/family have April birthdays!! April is VERY popular birth month. Lol. The ONLY reason I wouldn’t want a 4-20 birthday is because weed. ‘Happy 4-20, man!’ It’s annoying and I have never smoked that stuff so that is the only reason why 4-20 would be annoying. I was due right near a negative day and that’s all ANYONE could talk about!! It was the worst. Family and strangers ‘oh I hope that isn’t the kids birthday!’ ‘What a horrible birth date that would be!!’ (Geeee thanks people) I always said ‘life goes on I don’t care what day my baby is born!!’ People are so rude.

    • Some chick says:

      I have a friend who was born on the 11th of September. :-/

      Hitler and weed lining up is just funny. I’m sure he’d have hated it more than anyone!

  21. Jilly says:

    *Theory * I think the baby was born Friday or Saturday. That Doria was summond as soon as the baby was born and not before. If they weren’t sure of the date would she want her mother to wait around or be there for her once the baby was here? I say polo baby is here.

    • PlainJane says:

      @Jilly I am with you on this one. I think the baby was born on Friday or Saturday too. It was a full moon that night, and babies are notoriously born around full moons (source – several labor and delivery nurses).

      Hopefully we will find out soon!

    • LahdidahBaby says:

      Yes, I’ve had that feeling, too.

    • MsIam says:

      I don’t know about that. Harry wasn’t acting like a new dad on Sunday. I can’t see him jumping up to go to service if his first born child was just born the day before. Since Charles and Camilla weren’t there it couldn’t have been a mandatory thing. Plus, I think Meghan would want her mom there with her during labor.

    • starryfish29 says:

      Or maybe her mom would just want to be around to support her daughter in the nerve-racking days leading up to giving birth. Not sure she needs an excuse to spend time with her daughter nor that she would be “summoned” anywhere.
      The press was given very specific instructions that it would be announced once she has gone into labor and once she had delivered, no need to create an unnecessary dustup by lying about that.

  22. PrincessK says:

    I have given up, I thought that the baby would have come over a week ago by my calculations. It has got to be this week, surely?

  23. Rina says:

    I sincerely hope that Meghan, Harry, and Doria are enjoying their time together. The media has been brutal towards the Sussexes (especially Meghan).

    Let Meghan and Harry take their time to announce the arrival of their baby…release the information when they are comfortable. Cherish and savor sweet moments with their child. Sending good wishes and positive vibes to Meghan, Harry, and Polo baby!

    Doria’s presence must be comforting to Meghan and Harry. She radiates a sense of calm and peace.

  24. Wow2 says:

    Imagine the British press if she dares give birth on prince Lou’s bday? Hahaha they will lose it!!

    I know she has no choice in when she gives birth but the press would surely use it against her

    • starryfish29 says:

      They are freaking out about how posting Harry’s photography for earth day is a supposed attempt to upstage Louis. Those people are truly deranged.

    • Some chick says:

      I was really hoping it would be on Easter, just to see the Brit press freakout. Alas.

  25. Harryg says:

    Doria is beautiful.

    • Jane Does says:

      She is, isn’t she? Her face is so gentle looking. She looks like she must be the kindest mum.

  26. JRenee says:

    I’m glad Doria is there.
    I’m just waiting for the announcement 🙂

  27. SJR says:

    I’m glad Doria is with her.
    My Mom passed a decade before my pregnancy, and I missed her greatly, more than ever really.
    My beloved Auntie stepped right up and gave me lots of love and support, bless her.

    Hope all goes fine and Mom and baby are healthy. All the rest is just chatter.

    I would not marry into that BRF, nothing but nosy-parkers everywhere. And, now the paps and social media are worse than ever.

    Gotta love Princess Ann’s daughter (Zara? why can’t I think of her name?) and Mike Tyndall..they just keep rolling along. I think Anne did a great thing by not having her kids “royal”. All the perks with less press.
    Of course, William and Harry will always be the Heir & Spare. So many of us remember them as Diana’s little ones.

  28. How do you know Doria is in England? Sincerely asking.