Meghan Markle’s mother knows how to keep calm and carry on.
Doria Ragland, 61, was spotted yesterday outside of her Los Angeles home at around 6.30pm, coming back from a trip to the grocery store before taking her two dogs for a walk.
While the rest of the world is still catching its breath after the announcement of Meghan Markle’s engagement to Prince Harry last week, the social worker and yoga instructor enjoyed a calm evening away from the excitement.
Shopping: Meghan Markle’s mother Doria Ragland, 61, was spotted yesterday outside of her Los Angeles home coming back from a trip to the grocery store
Conversation: The social worker and yoga instructor stopped to chat with an unidentified man, who seemed to be on his way back from work and kept his jacket folded over his arm
Bundled up: The Los Angeles resident kept warm in a puff vest worn on top of a long-sleeved, pink T-shirt as she reached into her trunk to retrieve her groceries
Calm: Ragland acted like just another neighbor as she enjoyed a quiet evening away from the excitement that has followed the announcement of Meghan Markle’s engagement
She gave no sign that her daughter is officially on her way to become a member of the British royal family, and instead acted like just another resident of her LA neighborhood.
Keeping warm in a puff vest worn on top of a long-sleeved, pink T-shirt, she carried her groceries back from her car into her home.
The social worker also stopped to chat with an unidentified man, who seemed to be on his way back from work and kept his jacket folded over his arm.
Both of them smiled during the conversation, before Ragland continued with her activities.
Exchange: The social worker took time to stop for a chat before carrying on with her activities
Time for a walk: She changed into a more casual outfit, trading her beige pants for black ones, and adding a white sweater underneath the same vest
Outing: Ragland took her two dogs for a walk in her Los Angeles neighborhood
Trio: She and the two pets walked past a house that has been decorated for the holiday season
She changed into a more casual outfit, trading her beige pants for black ones, and adding a white sweater underneath the same vest.
Ragland also donned sneakers as she took her two dogs for a walk around the neighborhood.
The trio passed a house decorated for the holiday, with the entrance covered in festive lights.
Both dogs walked on leash during the outing, staying close to Ragland as they made their way on the sidewalk.
Meghan, 36, has previously opened up about her parents, who divorced when she was almost six years old.
Family: Meghan (pictured with her mother in an archive shot), 36, has previously opened up about her parents, who divorced when she was almost six years old
Meeting: Ragland was pictured talking to Prince Harry during the Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada, in September
Big news: Harry and Meghan (pictured in Nottingham, England last week) announced their engagement just 11 days ago
She recounted how her father Thomas Markle, a lighting director, and her mother met in the late seventies while Ragland worked temporarily at the same studio as him.
‘I like to think he was drawn to her sweet eyes and her Afro, plus their shared love of antiques,’ she wrote in an Elle UK essay, in which she reflected on her life as a biracial woman.
‘Whatever it was, they married and had me. They moved into a house in The Valley in LA, to a neighbourhood that was leafy and affordable. What it was not, however, was diverse. And there was my mom, caramel in complexion with her light-skinned baby in tow, being asked where my mother was since they assumed she was the nanny.’
The actress’ mother and father reacted to the news of her engagement in a joint statement saying they were ‘incredibly happy’ for Meghan and Harry.
‘Our daughter has always been a kind and loving person,’ they added. ‘To see her union with Harry, who shares the same qualities, is a source of great joy for us as parents. We wish them a lifetime of happiness and are very excited for their future together.’