Doria Ragland was the only member of Meghan Markle’s side of the family to attend the royal wedding, but the mother of the bride did not mind sitting alone as she watched her daughter marry Prince Harry.
Pin this article for later! For more, follow Good Housekeeping on
Ragland, who wore a stunning pastel green Oscar de la Renta dress and coat (designed by creative directors Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia), took her seat in the second row of one of the side pews inside St. George’s Chapel, where Markle and Harry’s wedding took place Saturday.
Related: This is why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle won’t go on their honeymoon immediately after the wedding
Her seat was reportedly right across from Harry’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, who sat beside her husband, Prince Philip.
Cameras captured Ragland as she was overcome with emotion throughout the ceremony, particularly when Markle and Harry exchanged their vows.
On social media, people commended Markle’s mother for attending and sitting at the wedding alone. Ragland and Markle’s father, Thomas Markle Sr., divorced in 1987, and it was announced that he was unable to attend the wedding after suffering a heart attack earlier this week.
Related: Meghan Markle’s silk wedding dress by Givenchy is just perfect
“Beautifiully dressed Doria sitting alone in such a beautiful historical moment shows strength, & grace that must be an inspiration to Meghan,” one user wrote. “This is the reality of many single parents.”
“Kudos to #DoriaRagland for sitting there alone representing,” another said. “It can’t be easy with all that pressure and scrutiny.”
Royal expert Alastair Bruce spoke with Town and Country leading up to the nuptials, and explained how much input Markle and Harry have in deciding who gets invited and who sits where at the wedding.
Related: Where will Meghan Markle be in line to the throne?
“It’s very much a matter for the bride and the groom,” Bruce said, adding that the couple enlists the help of The Lord Chamberlain’s Office when deciding the seating chart. “They will assist him. They know the layout of St. George’s Chapel, and they will guide him.”
From: Good Housekeeping US
Photo: Getty Images/Gallo Images
ALSO READ:
Top 10 celebrity fashion looks at the Royal Wedding
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s titles have been announced
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reveal their bridesmaids and page boys
