She’s known about her daughter’s engagement for ‘several weeks,’ but Meghan Markle’s mother Doria Ragland spent the weekend preparing for the announcement in a decidedly low-key fashion.
The 61-year-old yoga instructor was photographed exclusively by DailyMail.com at her green-painted home in Los Angeles’s Windsor Hills neighborhood dressed down as she watered her plants.
But on Monday morning, after news of the engagement broke, a security detail could be seen outside the home.
The solo guard said that he was unable to answer questions as broadcasters including local television and the BBC arrived.
Low-key living: Meghan Markle’s mom Doria Ragland spent the weekend preparing for her daughter’s announcement in a decidedly low-key fashion outside her Los Angeles home
The 61-year-old yoga instructor has openly approved of her daughter’s relationship with the British Royal, but has otherwise remained out of the spotlight
Ms Ragland seemed calm and in good spirits following her daughter’s bombshell announcement
Proud mom: Earlier on Monday, the mother of one (pictured entering her car over the weekend) made a joint statement with Meghan’s father saying they ‘are incredibly happy for Meghan and Harry’
Mom on the go: Doria was dressed in black and shielded her eyes with dark shades as she left her home this weekend. Meghan is the only child of Doria Ragland and Thomas Markle
The mother-of-one, along with her ex-husband Thomas Markle, 73, has already released an official statement via Kensington Palace, in which she said she was ‘incredibly happy for Meghan and Harry’.
It continued: ‘Our daughter has always been a kind and loving person. To see her union with Harry, who shares the same qualities, is a source of great joy for both parents.
‘We wish them a lifetime of happiness and are very excited for their future.’
Meghan is the only child of Doria Ragland and Thomas Markle, although the latter has two older children with his first wife Roslyn Loveless, now 72: Samantha Grant, 53, and Thomas Jr, 51.
Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com from her home in Albuquerque this morning, Roslyn said of the engagement: ‘That’s absolutely wonderful news.
‘I’m really happy for them and I hope they’ll be happy together and have a great life.’ Of the spring wedding date, Roslyn added: ‘That will be so nice.’
Once news broke about Prince Harry and Meghan’s royal engagement, a security detail was spotted outside her home on Monday
The security guard, dressed in a black button shirt and jeans, handed out the statement already issued by Kensington Palace on behalf of Doria Ragland and Thomas Markle
Asked how she thinks Meghan will cope with the transition from actress to princess, the mother-of-two added: ‘Meghan is very well educated.
‘She’s worked in a professional, public life forever. She’s been in the TV industry forever. She’s very well educated and she’s had a lot of exposure to the public. She’s going to be just fine.’
News of the engagement was announced by Clarence House earlier this morning, with Prince Charles saying he was ‘delighted’ to reveal that Harry, 33, and Meghan, 36, will be married next year.
This afternoon, the happy couple made their first official appearance together – standing side-by-side for a photo call in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace.
The garden was chosen because of its connection to Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana, who had adored it.
Royal Engagement: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle finally announced their engagement after weeks of fevered speculation on Monday. The royal couple made their first public appearance hours after breaking the news in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace
The princess-to-be showed off her ring, which was designed by Harry, using diamonds from his late mother’s collection. The wedding is expected to take place in spring 2018, with May considered the likeliest date for the nuptials
Doria Ragland and Meghan Markle were seen together at the Invictus Games closing ceremonyInvictus Games in Toronto on September 30
Meghan’s engagement ring also has a connection with Diana and was designed by Harry, using two diamonds from the late princess’ personal collection.
Speaking during the photo call, Harry said he is ‘thrilled’ to be marrying the Suits actress and ‘knew she was the one’ from ‘the first day we met’.
A shyly smiling Meghan, dressed in a cream trench coat and black dress, added that she was ‘so happy’.
The Queen is also understood to have given her blessing to the upcoming nuptials and is said to be ‘delighted’ by the news.
Earlier today, Harry’s older brother William and his wife the Duchess of Cambridge released a statement of their own that read:
‘We are very excited for Harry and Meghan. It has been wonderful getting to know Meghan and to see how happy she and Harry are together.’
The wedding is expected to take place in spring 2018, with May considered the likeliest date for the nuptials.