Doria Ragland Joins Daughter Meghan Markle for Special Cookbook Launch
It's the first time they've made an appearance together since the wedding.


This morning, Meghan Markle celebrated her charity cookbook launch and had a special guest: her mother, Doria Ragland (opens in new tab). The mother and daughter are attending a lunch at Kensington Palace to promote Meghan's new charity cookbook, Together: Our Community Cookbook, with the rest of the women from the Hubb Community Kitchen in support of those affected by the Grenfell Tower fires last year.
Both of the women are seen tasting food and chatting with the other women. It was reported earlier this week (opens in new tab) that Doria was on her way to London to visit her daughter, though it was originally predicted she was planning on making the move to the U.K. Clearly it was to attend this special event with Meghan who's wearing a gorgeous blue Smythe coat (opens in new tab), a black turtleneck top by Tuxe, a Misha Nonoo skirt, and Sarah Flint pumps.
The Duchess announced the cookbook as her first royal initiative only a few days ago, and she's already received praise from royal fans and close friends (opens in new tab). The lunch is setup with gorgeous flowers across the tables, and Meghan is seen interacting (and serving food (opens in new tab)!) with the women. Harry also joined Doria and Meghan at the event, though he's letting Meghan and her mom have the spotlight.
And here are the scenes at Kensington Palace today for the launch of Together: Our Community Cookbook, in aid of the #Grenfell Hubb Community Kitchen, foreword by the Duchess of Sussex pic.twitter.com/TzH9D9SaOjSeptember 20, 2018
A closer look at the marquee that has been set up for guests in the grounds of Kensington Palace... #CookTogether pic.twitter.com/eUPsPn39jLSeptember 20, 2018
What a nice touch that Doria turned up today for her daughter #proudmum pic.twitter.com/WUAg7CQXEySeptember 20, 2018
If you wanted an image which best describes how Meghan, Duchess of Sussex is changing the face of the British Royal Family, I say this one does it ... pic.twitter.com/dQRLsPOO2iSeptember 20, 2018
It makes sense that Meghan would bring her mom to the launch. In the cookbook's emotional foreword (opens in new tab), the Duchess talks about her relationship with food growing up and how "during my time at university in Chicago I would wait with bated breath to return to L.A. for the winter break and have a bowl of my mother's gumbo."
Meghan even gave a speech about the cookbook's "tremendous labor of love" as Prince Harry stood to the side admiring his wife as she thanked everyone who made the book possible.
Watch the speech below:
Meghan speak for 3 mins without notes as she thanks the women of #hubbcommunitykitchen for ‘her first project’ pic.twitter.com/wismMJDg9WSeptember 20, 2018
More of the speech The Duchess of Sussex about the #Grenfell cookbook. ‘It’s been a tremendous labour of love’ she said. Prince Harry looked on - proudly... pic.twitter.com/0h8SnPeta9September 20, 2018
You can purchase Together: Our Community Cookbook here (opens in new tab).
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Rachel Epstein is an editor at Marie Claire, where she writes and edits culture, politics, and lifestyle stories ranging from op-eds to profiles to ambitious packages. She also manages the site’s virtual book club, #ReadWithMC. Offline, she’s likely watching a Heat game, finding a new coffee shop, or analyzing your cousin's birth chart—in no particular order.
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