Doria Ragland has been regarded as the top contender to walk her daughter down the aisle in the absence of her ex-husband, Thomas Markle.
Cameras have captured Meghan Markle’s mother leaving Los Angeles as she departs for England to attend her daughter’s wedding.
Doria Ragland, 61, wore a chic T-shirt under a blazer as she headed to a waiting car. In her hand was a garment bag from Burberry.
Doria arrived at Los Angeles International Airport through an entrance reserved for VIPs and she waited for her flight in a private lounge.
Her trip across the pond, arranged by the royal family, was first class all the way.
Ten hours later, she landed at Heathrow Airport and was driven off in a Jaguar owned by the royal family. A palace aide assigned to Meghan Markle climbed in the backseat with her.
Doria is staying at the luxury Hotel Cliveden House, where her daughter will join her.
Now that Meghan Markle's mom has arrived, she will meet Queen Elizabeth. It's a chance for Doria and her daughter to show their special bond and a more positive side of the Markle family.
Inside Edition Royal Wedding Correspondent Amanda Holden says Doria is “going to be having tea with the queen and set the record straight."
Doria is the top contender to walk her daughter down the aisle on Saturday, replacing Meghan's father, Thomas Markle, who says he's undergoing heart surgery in California Wednesday to "clear blockage, repair damage and put a stent where it is needed."
"I’m just too ill to walk Meghan down the aisle," reads a front page headline on The Daily Mirror.
Thomas Markle has flip-flopped three times about whether he will attend the wedding. Meghan is believed to have begged him to come, sending this text, "I love you."
Meghan's half-sister, Samantha Grant, shared with Inside Edition a text that she got from her dad, who lives across the border in Mexico.
"I'm okay going back to the hospital on the U.S. side I will be fine love you," the text read.
History will be made in Windsor Saturday when the "Suits" actress marries Prince Harry. The bridal party has just been announced. There will be six flower girls and four pageboys.
Leading the pack will be Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
Two Americans will also serve as flower girls, Meghan’s goddaughters, Remi and Rylan Litt, along with the children of Meghan’s best friend Jessica Mulroney.
Meghan Markle has not chosen adult bridesmaids and instead has opted for children to be part of the bridal party.
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