George Boyle
Meghan Markle's mother, Doria Ragland, attended her daughter's wedding to Prince Harry in 2018. Markle's father, Thomas Markle, was set to walk his daughter down the aisle but withdrew following heart surgery. Doria Ragland was the only member of Meghan Markle's family to attend the royal wedding. She sat alone in the second row, across from Queen Elizabeth II. The mother of the bride reportedly did not mind sitting alone as she watched her daughter marry Prince Harry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meghan Markle's mother's name | Doria Ragland |
| Doria Ragland's attendance at the wedding | Yes |
| Doria Ragland's role at the wedding | Driving with her daughter to the wedding |
| Doria Ragland's seat at the wedding | Alone in the second row |
| Meghan Markle's father's name | Thomas Markle |
| Thomas Markle's attendance at the wedding | No |
| Reason for Thomas Markle's absence | Recovering from heart surgery |
| Person who walked Meghan Markle down the aisle | Prince Charles |
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What You'll Learn
Doria Ragland's role at the wedding
Meghan Markle's mother, Doria Ragland, played an important role in her daughter's wedding to Prince Harry. Ragland was the only member of Meghan Markle's family to attend the royal wedding.
On the morning of the wedding, Ragland rode in a car with her daughter from Cliveden House Hotel to Windsor Castle. The public was able to see the car as it made its way to the chapel. The car stopped at the castle, where Ragland got out and went to the chapel, while Meghan met up with her bridesmaids and page boys before heading to the west steps of the church. This differed from the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, where Kate arrived at Westminster Abbey by car with her father, who then walked her down the aisle.
Ragland wore a stunning dress and matching coat by Oscar de la Renta in a pale green hue, a meaningful colour chosen by Meghan. Ragland arrived at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle a few minutes before her daughter, who was then due to meet her bridal party. Ragland was seated alone in the second row, across from Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. She was overcome with emotion throughout the ceremony, particularly when Meghan and Harry exchanged their vows.
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Doria Ragland sits alone in the second row
Doria Ragland, the mother of Meghan Markle, was the only member of Meghan's family to attend her wedding to Prince Harry. Markle's father, Thomas Markle, was set to walk his daughter down the aisle, but he decided not to attend the wedding after it was revealed that he had staged several paparazzi photoshoots ahead of the big day. He also cited his recovery from a heart attack as a reason for his initial uncertainty about attending.
In the end, it was Prince Charles who walked Meghan down the aisle, joining her at the halfway mark to the altar. Doria Ragland still played an important role on the day. She drove with her daughter to St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, arriving a few minutes before Meghan. The mother of the bride sat alone in the second row, overcome with emotion as she watched her daughter marry Prince Harry.
The day before the wedding, Doria Ragland met with Queen Elizabeth for tea at Windsor Castle. She also spent the night before the wedding with her daughter at the nearby Cliveden House Hotel, a 17th-century mansion around 30 minutes' drive from Windsor. The pair travelled together to the castle, with Meghan meeting up with her bridesmaids and page boys before heading to the west steps of the church.
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Doria Ragland's royal wedding week in London
Doria Ragland, the mother of Meghan Markle, flew to London from Los Angeles, landing on Wednesday, ahead of her daughter's wedding on Saturday. She was photographed carrying a Burberry garment bag, which could have contained her wedding outfit.
On Friday, Doria met with Queen Elizabeth for tea at Windsor Castle. She stayed with her daughter at the Cliveden House Hotel the night before the wedding. On the Saturday morning, they travelled together in the Queen's Rolls-Royce Phantom to St George's Chapel, where the wedding ceremony was held.
Doria was the only member of Meghan's family to attend the wedding. She sat alone in the second row, across from Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. She was visibly emotional during the ceremony, particularly when Meghan and Harry exchanged their vows.
Doria Ragland played an important role in the wedding, driving with her daughter to the ceremony, although she did not walk her down the aisle.
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Meghan Markle's father, Thomas Markle, doesn't attend
Meghan Markle's father, Thomas Markle, did not attend her wedding to Prince Harry. Initially, it was announced that Thomas would walk his daughter down the aisle at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. However, he had to withdraw due to health reasons and public controversy.
Thomas Markle suffered a heart attack in the week leading up to the wedding and underwent heart surgery, which prevented him from travelling. Despite his initial determination to attend, Thomas ultimately decided not to go, expressing that he did not want to embarrass Meghan or the royal family.
The decision came amidst a media frenzy surrounding Thomas Markle. It was revealed that he had staged several photoshoots with a paparazzi agency ahead of the wedding, which generated backlash and negative publicity. Thomas acknowledged that the photos were "stupid and hammy" and chose to avoid further scrutiny by not attending the wedding.
In the absence of her father, Meghan Markle was supported by her mother, Doria Ragland, who played a significant role on the day. Doria arrived at the chapel a few minutes before her daughter and sat alone during the ceremony, capturing the emotions of many with her proud and joyful presence.
Doria Ragland was the only member of Meghan Markle's family to attend the wedding. Despite the absence of her father, Meghan was accompanied by her mother, who had been by her side in the days leading up to the wedding, including tea with Queen Elizabeth at Windsor Castle.
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Doria Ragland meets the Queen for the first time
Meghan Markle's mother, Doria Ragland, was the only member of Meghan's family to attend her wedding to Prince Harry. The mother of the bride travelled with her daughter in the Queen's Rolls-Royce Phantom from Cliveden House Hotel, where they had spent the night before the wedding, to Windsor Castle. Meghan and her mother arrived a few minutes before the bride made her grand appearance at St George's Chapel.
Doria Ragland met Queen Elizabeth for the first time on the day before the wedding, when they took tea at Windsor Castle. The Queen was accompanied by her husband, Prince Philip. Ragland also spent time with Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, in the days before the wedding.
Doria Ragland's attendance at the wedding had never been in question, but the bride's father, Thomas Markle, had been due to walk his daughter down the aisle. However, following heart surgery and a heart attack, he was unable to attend. It was rumoured that Ragland would take her ex-husband's place, but Meghan began the walk down the aisle solo, before being joined by Prince Charles.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Doria Ragland attended her daughter's wedding to Prince Harry.
No, Meghan Markle walked down the aisle solo. Prince Charles joined her at the halfway mark.
Doria Ragland was the only member of Meghan Markle's family to attend the wedding. Her father, Thomas Markle, was set to walk his daughter down the aisle but decided not to attend after his arrangement with a paparazzi to stage photoshoots was revealed.
