Think about the most famous wedding of the decade. Windsor Castle. The Givenchy gown. The gospel choir. Now, think about the one person who wasn't there to walk the bride down the aisle. It’s been years since the world watched Prince Charles step in for Thomas Markle, and yet, the drama surrounding Meghan Markle father and mother still dominates headlines like it’s day one.
People love a binary. We want a hero and a villain. In the Sussex saga, Doria Ragland is usually the zen yoga-teaching hero, and Thomas is the tabloid-entangled villain. But the reality? Honestly, it’s a lot more human and a lot more messy than that.
The Hollywood Meet-Cute and the Early Years
Before the lawsuits and the "Megxit" of it all, there was just a lighting director and a makeup artist on the set of General Hospital. It was the late 70s. Thomas Markle was a big deal in the industry—an Emmy winner who knew how to make actors look perfect under the hot lights. Doria was a temp, a free spirit with a nose ring and a Masters in social work in her future.
They married in 1979. Meghan arrived in 1981.
Most people don't realize that for a long time, the relationship between Meghan Markle father and mother was actually quite functional despite their divorce in 1987. Meghan has written about the "two houses" life—staying with her mom during the week and her dad on weekends. Thomas was the one who paid for the private schools. He was the one who sat in the back of the theater during her school plays, tweaking the lighting so his daughter would shine. He was "the most hardworking father you can imagine," she once wrote on her blog, The Tig.
Doria Ragland: The "Silent" Pillar
Doria is the outlier in the circus. While the Markle side of the family—including Meghan's half-siblings, Samantha and Thomas Jr.—spent years talking to anyone with a microphone, Doria stayed quiet.
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She just... stayed.
She moved into the Windsor suite before the wedding. She sat alone in the quire of St George’s Chapel, looking incredibly dignified while the world stared at her. Even now, in 2026, she remains the only member of Meghan’s original family who has a key to the Montecito mansion.
What Doria actually does:
- The Yoga Connection: She’s a long-time instructor and has been seen hitting classes with Meghan.
- The Caretaker Role: During the birth of Archie and Lilibet, she was the primary support system, reportedly living with the couple for months.
- Business Ventures: She’s been involved in senior care management (specifically Loving Kindness Senior Care Management).
But even that "perfect" image has seen some cracks lately. Rumors have swirled in early 2026 about Doria no longer living full-time at the Montecito estate. Is there a rift? Or is she just a 69-year-old woman who wants her own space? The press loves to speculate, but Doria hasn't given them a single quote to work with.
Thomas Markle: The Disintegration of a Relationship
If Doria is the silence, Thomas is the noise. It’s hard to overstate how quickly things fell apart.
One day, Thomas is getting fitted for a suit in Mexico. The next, it’s revealed the photos were staged with a paparazzo. Then came the heart attacks. Then the missed wedding.
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The core of the issue with Meghan Markle father and mother isn't just a missed event; it’s a fundamental breach of trust. When Meghan and Harry begged him to stop talking to the press, he did the opposite. He gave interviews to Good Morning Britain. He released snippets of a private letter Meghan wrote him.
He recently made headlines again in late 2025. After a serious health scare in the Philippines involving a leg amputation and intensive care, Thomas once again expressed his desire to see his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet, before he dies. It’s a tragic situation. You’ve got a father who feels "ghosted" and a daughter who feels "betrayed."
There’s no easy fix for that.
Why the Contrast Between Them Matters
The difference in how Thomas and Doria handled the spotlight tells you everything about why the family looks the way it does today.
- Privacy vs. Publicity: Doria treated her daughter’s fame as a private family matter. Thomas treated it as a public negotiation.
- Emotional Support: Meghan has explicitly stated she "lost" her father. In contrast, she describes her mother as her "best friend."
- The Grandchildren Factor: This is the saddest part. Thomas has never met Harry, let alone his grandkids. Doria is a constant presence in their lives.
What Most People Get Wrong
There's a narrative that Thomas was always a "bad" dad. That’s just not true based on Meghan’s own past accounts. He was a doting, present father for much of her life. The tragedy isn't that he was a monster; it's that a seemingly solid relationship couldn't survive the intense pressure of the British tabloid machine.
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On the flip side, some critics paint Doria as "calculating" for her silence. Honestly, that feels like a reach. If she were calculating, she’d have a book deal by now. She seems to just want to live her life in Los Angeles, walk her dogs, and be a grandma.
Actionable Insights for the Future
If you’re following this saga, don't expect a Christmas reunion anytime soon. The bridges aren't just burned; the foundations are gone.
If you want to understand the dynamic of Meghan Markle father and mother, look at the boundaries. Meghan is a big believer in "protecting her peace." For her, that means keeping Doria close and Thomas at a distance.
Next Steps for Observers:
- Watch the legal space: Samantha Markle’s ongoing legal battles often bring up new details about Thomas and Doria’s past.
- Monitor health updates: Thomas’s health remains precarious in 2026, which is often the only thing that prompts a (private) response from the Duchess.
- Look for Doria’s public appearances: She’s started appearing at more high-profile charity events lately, suggesting she’s becoming more comfortable with her own platform.
The story of the Markles and the Raglands is a cautionary tale about what happens when a private family is forced into a global spotlight. It’s not a fairy tale. It’s a tragedy of errors, missed calls, and the high price of royalty.