Doria Ragland Will Stay in California as Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Prepare for UK Move

As Meghan Markle and Prince Harry prepare to relocate to the UK with their children later this month, one member of Meghan’s immediate family reportedly won’t be making the move with them.

Doria Ragland, Meghan’s mother, plans to remain in California, according to TMZ and Page Six. The 69-year-old social worker has an established life on the West Coast, including her connections within the local yoga community, and reportedly isn’t ready to leave behind her friends and routine.

Instead, Ragland is expected to continue living near the Sussexes’ $14.5 million Montecito estate in Santa Barbara County. She has regularly spent time with Meghan, Harry and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, and sources say she will continue visiting the family even after their move overseas.

The exact arrangements for those visits have not been disclosed.

Doria Ragland Is Staying Close to Her California Life

According to sources familiar with the situation, Ragland maintains a home near Los Angeles and has a life in California that she does not want to leave behind.

Her decision comes as Harry and Meghan prepare for what has been described as an extended stay in Britain. TMZ has reported that the couple’s relocation is considered temporary, with the Sussexes also keeping their Montecito property rather than selling it.

That means Ragland will remain relatively close to the California home where she has spent years maintaining a close relationship with her daughter and grandchildren.

She was also photographed in her Los Angeles neighborhood on Thursday, August 20, after news of the Sussexes’ UK plans emerged.

She Will Continue Seeing Archie and Lilibet

Although Ragland is not following Meghan and Harry to Britain, sources say she intends to remain involved in the family’s life.

Ragland has long been a consistent presence for Meghan and her children. She traveled to the UK when Archie was born in 2019 and also helped Meghan following Lilibet’s birth in 2021.

Over the years, she has joined Meghan and Harry for a number of family outings. More recently, she was seen with them during a Disneyland family celebration in California.

Ragland also appeared in Meghan’s Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, further highlighting the close role she has maintained in her daughter’s life.

The Sussexes Are Preparing for an Extended Stay in Britain

Harry and Meghan’s return to the UK marks a major change after the couple moved to California six years ago following their decision to step back from senior royal duties.

Page Six previously reported that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex plan to spend an “extended period” in the UK with Archie and Lilibet. The children are reportedly already enrolled in schools there and are expected to begin in the coming weeks.

The couple are expected to live in a non-royal residence as non-working members of the royal family while continuing their private ventures.

At the same time, they are reportedly keeping their Montecito home, reinforcing the idea that the move is not necessarily a permanent break from California.

King Charles Is Reportedly a Key Reason for the Move

Meghan Markle’s mom, Doria Ragland, reportedly plans to stay in California as her daughter and Prince Harry move to the UK. (Seen here: Markle and her mom at Disneyland.)Meghan/ Instagram

The Sussexes’ return has also been linked to Harry’s relationship with his father, King Charles III.

According to Page Six, the Palace was informed about the move, with an insider claiming that Charles was aware of the family’s plans before the announcement became public. Another source said the King “looks forward” to spending more time with Harry, Meghan and their children.

Charles has been dealing with cancer since announcing his diagnosis in February 2024, making the possibility of more time with his son and grandchildren particularly significant.

Harry’s relationship with his father has reportedly improved in recent months, although his relationship with his older brother, Prince William, remains strained.

A Complicated Family History

The Sussexes’ decision to return to Britain comes years after their departure from royal life became one of the most closely followed stories within the monarchy.

Harry and Meghan announced in January 2020 that they would step back from their roles as senior royals. They subsequently moved to California, where they established their family and pursued independent projects.

Their relationship with the royal family became increasingly complicated after their 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, during which Meghan discussed her experience as a working royal and alleged that concerns had been raised within the family about how dark Archie’s skin might be.

Prince William later said the royal family was “very much not a racist family,” while Queen Elizabeth II said the family was saddened by the allegations, particularly the comments concerning race.

Harry’s 2023 memoir, Spare, added further tension, including his claims about an alleged physical confrontation with William and his account of Charles’ reaction to his birth.

Despite the history, Harry’s relationship with Charles has reportedly been moving in a more positive direction.

Doria’s Decision Keeps One Part of the Sussex Family in California

For now, the Sussexes’ move will mean a physical separation between Meghan and her mother, although the distance may not be permanent.

Ragland is staying behind in California, where she has built a life and maintains close ties to her community. At the same time, she reportedly plans to keep visiting Meghan, Harry, Archie and Lilibet.

With Harry and Meghan retaining their Montecito home and describing their UK relocation as temporary, California is still expected to remain an important part of the family’s life.

For Ragland, that means remaining close to the life she has built — while continuing to find ways to stay connected to her daughter and grandchildren across the Atlantic.