Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland flies into London, reportedly ‘furious’ with Thomas Markle

MEGHAN Markle’s mum is reportedly barely on speaking terms with her father, furious that his kids have been “trashing” her.

MEGHAN Markle’s mother has touched down in London ahead of her daughter’s wedding day amid a family scandal dubbed the “Markle debacle” by UK media.

Doria Ragland, 61, touched down in London on Wednesday afternoon on a flight from Los Angeles and received the royal treatment upon arrival.

She was whisked to Heathrow’s VIP Windsor Suite used by the royals for speedy progress through immigration and met by Meghan’s personal assistant, Amy Pickerill.

Earlier, she had been spotted being picked up from her home in Los Angeles with a Burberry garment bag, suggesting she may opt to wear the British designer at the wedding.

Meghan Markle's Mother Doria is picked up and carries a Burberry garment bag on her way to LAX. Picture: Mega.

Her house in LA. Picture: Mega.

The social worker and yoga instructor has been a major source of support for Meghan in the days leading up to the wedding that have seen her family drawn into scandal over staged paparazzi shots.

With two days to go, it’s still unclear who will walk Meghan down the aisle. Her father, Thomas Markle, is set for heart surgery in the US on Wednesday, according to TMZ. Bookies have Ms Ragland as the favourite, although Prince Charles is also in the running.

Ms Ragland and her former husband were due to meet the royal family this week, including the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Camilla and Prince William and Kate.

Instead, the parents are said to be barely on speaking terms as fallout continues over the photographs and media appearances from Samantha Markle, Meghan’s half-sister.

Ms Ragland is said to be furious at her ex-husband Thomas Markle for the controversy — and for failing to stop his family from “trashing” their daughter ahead of her wedding to Prince Harry, The Sun reports.

Ms Ragland will stay with Meghan at luxury property Cliveden House on the night before the wedding and travel with her by car to the chapel.

Meghan Markle's mother Doria Ragland is reportedly furious at Thomas Markle. Picture: Snorlax/Rachpoot/ MEGA

A source close to the family said Doria’s relationship with Thomas had already been put under strain as his family continued to badmouth their daughter.

The source told The Sun Online: “Thomas and Doria are currently barely speaking to one another. He is trying to make peace after everything that has happened.

“Their relationship had been hanging by a thread for months before the staged photo scandals. He had told friends that he wanted to come with the peace gesture for an appeasement before the wedding and his daughter’s big day, but his recent actions have crushed that.”

The source added: “The couple were also at odds with one another because of his other children speaking out so disrespectfully about Meghan in the last year.

“She had asked him to have them not do so, but little changed.

“Their divorce was quite acrimonious, and they really lived very separate lives and would only connect when necessary.”

Meghan Markle, right, watches the closing ceremonies of the Invictus Games with her mother Doria Ragland in Toronto last year. Picture: Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP

Reclusive Thomas was recently pictured leaving potted plants out the front of Doria’s LA home in an apparent attempt to make peace.

Meghan’s estranged family certainly haven’t been shy at speaking out about the US actor ahead of the royal wedding.

Her half-brother Thomas Jr even wrote an open letter to Prince Harry, telling the 33-year-old royal to call off the upcoming nuptials, blasting it as a “fake fairy tale”.

Thomas’ letter, published in In Touch Weekly, warned: “As more time passes to your royal wedding it becomes very clear that this is the biggest mistake in royal history.”

Half-sister Samantha Markle has also not held back in discussing Meghan and was even labelled a “vulture” by Piers Morgan for continually criticising the actor.

Doria is said to be disappointed with Thomas Markle’s older children bad mouthing Meghan to the media. Picture: Rachpoot/MEGA

After Meghan wore a £56,000 (AUD $100,000) designer dress for her engagement photo, Samantha Markle, 52, said: “If you can spend (USD) $75,000 on a dress, you can spend $75,000 on your dad.”

Some family members are also expected to cash in on the Royal Wedding, with a Channel 4 documentary giving an insight into Prince Harry’s future in-laws.

Her family members were also pictured arriving in London, drafted in as “special correspondents” for Good Morning Britain for the big day.

But Meghan’s support system has also started to fly into the UK, with best pal Jessica Mulroney arriving at London Heathrow last night.

The support couldn’t come at a better time for Meghan, with the US actor having had to beg her dad to come to her wedding after TMZ revealed he would not be walking her down the aisle.

Samantha Markle has been critical of Meghan in multiple media appearances. Picture: ITV

The 73-year-old recluse had initially intended on being by his daughter’s side but pulled out after it was revealed he had staged photographs with paparazzi — later admitting they were “stupid” and “hammy”.

He soon changed his mind, telling TMZ: “I hate the idea of missing one of the greatest moments in history and walking my daughter down the aisle.”

But he again did an about-face, revealing that he needed urgent heart surgery and would not be able to fly to the UK for the wedding — or to meet his future son-in-law and the royal family.

Thomas later said that he believed Doria would be a good choice to walk Meghan down the aisle.

Parts of this story appeared on The Sun and has been republished here with permission.