Why Meghan's mum Doria Ragland was never going to Sandringham for Christmas
This year marks Meghan Markle‘s first Christmas at Sandringham as a member of the Royal Family.
Last year we saw the Queen deviate from tradition and invite the former actress when she and Prince Harry were engaged – not married.
Although the Duchess of Sussex is estranged from her father Thomas Markle and her half-siblings, she is incredibly close to her LA-based mother Doria Ragland.
Ms Ragland was the only member of her family at the wedding in May and the Royal Family appear to have welcomed her with open arms.
So much so, that there have been reports that the Queen has invited Meghan’s mum to join them at Sandringham this year – but it’s unclear whether this is actually true.
“My understanding is that she’s not going.
“I don’t think that’s because they weren’t able to or anything like that, I just think it’s not usual for in-laws to go,” royal correspondent Victoria Murphy tells Yahoo UK‘s The Royal Box.
“I know it was suggested that she was going to go, but that was never confirmed.”
![Doria Ragland and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the charity cookbook launch in September [Photo: Getty]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/_jhnv03zAufVRxAnBB_58A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/f60e6a71e7ef897df00fbf3c5c47bc5e)
While Doria is said to have visited her daughter in the UK under the radar and even supported her at the launch of Meghan’s charity cookbook in September, royal biographer Duncan Larcombe says there “wasn’t a shred of truth,” about her going to the Queen’s Norfolk estate.
He says: “That would have been such a break, such an enormous break from royal tradition.
“That doesn’t mean she wouldn’t be welcome and she is very welcome within the royal fold, but Sandringham’s something special.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to attend the annual Christmas Day service at the Church of St Mary Magdalene, along with the Cambridges, the Queen, Charles and Camilla.
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Navigating life as a new mum: Is it a good idea for a family member to stay?
Doria Ragland reacts to Meghan and Harry’s baby news
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