Why It's Not a Snub that Meghan Markle's Mom Didn't Spend Christmas With the Royal Family
Over the past few weeks, rumors have circulated suggesting that Meghan Markle's mother, Doria Ragland, might join the royals for Christmas and New Year's in Sandringham.
It sounds like a logical idea. Meghan is several months pregnant, and would probably love to visit with her mother over the holidays. Furthermore, Harry is no doubt a fan of his mother-in-law, even calling her "amazing" in a sit-down interview, and Prince Charles appears to be fond of Ragland as well.
But this morning, as the royals made their annual walk to St Mary Magdelene church, she wasn't there, and according to multiple royal experts, it's unlikely that she was ever planning to be.
Earlier this month, we spoke with Duncan Larcombe about the possibility that Ragland might be invited to Sandringham. He didn't think it would happen for a minute.
"I don’t think there’s any truth in that story," he said.
"The blood that runs through the royals' veins is the blood of tradition. They represent everything that is traditional. And the Queen’s Christmas Sandringham gathering has always been for immediate family and immediate family only. For example, Carole and Michael Middleton have never been invited to join the royals for Christmas at Sandringham. Going back to Princess Diana, her mother, even when she was a widow, was never invited." he explained.
"And that wouldn’t be a snub to her. It’s just they are sticklers for tradition in the royal family."
Victoria Murphy, too, said she thought Ragland wouldn't be in attendance. "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," she told Yahoo U.K.'s Royal Box. "I know it was suggested that she was going to go, but that was never confirmed."
The Duchess of Sussex continues to break tradition in the royal family, but consider this proof that something things are still sacrosanct.
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