Us Weekly: Meghan Markle's Mom Doria Ragland's Help with Newborn Lilibet Is a 'Major Bonus'

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have roped in the help of grandmother Doria Ragland since the birth of their second child, Lilibet, earlier this June.

The arrival of Lilibet isn't the Duke of Duchess's first run with a newborn. Hence they know the importance of external help as they navigate the first few months with their second child.

Between the two children, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have their hands full and need all the help they can get. Markle's mother, Doria Ragland, has jumped in to help the parents with Lili and two-year-old Archie.

A BIG HELP

An insider revealed that the Sussex children's maternal grandmother has stepped up to the plate, lending a helping hand to Markle and Prince Harry during this adjustment period with baby Lili. The insider said:

"The most special thing she’s provided is her time. She’s been helping out at the house and her hands-on support is a major bonus.”

This isn't the first time that Ragland has come to her daughter's aid; she traveled to England to help Markle transition into motherhood when Archie arrived in 2019.

MONTECITO HOME

Now that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have settled in Montecito, California, it is much easier for Ragland to come by and help out around the house because she lives in the same area.

Being an important part of the Duchess of Sussex's life came with its own set of burdens for Ragland.

The insider also shared that both Markle and Prince Harry enjoy having the doting grandmother around and are immensely grateful to have the extra pair of hands to help carry the responsibility of caring for their children.

ALSO HONORING DORIA

Prince Harry and Markle explicitly honored the British side of their family when naming their daughter Lilibet Diana as a tribute to Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana, but the name also includes a special nod to Ragland.

Although the tribute to Ragland may be subtle, it remains special. The couple shared that they plan to call their daughter Lili, which points toward the moniker Ragland gave Markle, 'Flower.' The mother and daughter are very close as a friend shared:

"[Markle] definitely gets a lot of her strength from her mother."

OPRAH TO THE RESCUE

Being an important part of the Duchess of Sussex's life came with its own set of burdens for Ragland, who also struggled with an increased focus from the media when Markle started dating Prince Harry.

The new biography about the royal couple covers Ragland's struggle with the press, sharing that she found an unlikely friend in the midst of it. Ragland and Oprah Winfrey found each other amid the media frenzy.

Oprah could truly sympathize with Ragland about the challenges of life in the public eye, and the two found common ground, which allowed them to build a friendship.

Attending the same church, Agape International Spiritual Center in Los Angeles and Oprah reached out to Markle's mother to offer some support and advice as she faced the determined media.