As Prince Harry flew solo on his visit to Africa this week, the rumourmill was awash with whispers as to why pregnant Duchess Meghan chose to stay put in London.
The reasons for this could be endless – some touted potential risks of the Zika virus in the country, which is known to be dangerous for pregnant women.
Another theory had us believe that it was in fact because Meghan’s mum, Doria Ragland, was flying to visit her.
Is Doria going to visit her pregnant daughter in London while her husband is away? (Image: Getty)
But this doesn’t necessarily seem to be the case.
Prince Harry’s tour in Zambia has long been on the Princes’ schedule, meanwhile it is understood Meghan was never expected to attend.
There is no doubt Meghan is super busy preparing for the birth of her first child, a sure factor in her choosing not to attend – and who better to help than her mum, Doria?
But while it makes sense that the LA-based yoga instructor would fly to London to visit her daughter while Prince Harry is away, the rumour was recently quashed by royal reporter Omid Scobie whose sources confirmed she was actually still in the US.
Omid took to his Twitter account writing: “Contrary to reports that Doria Ragland is in the UK with Duchess Meghan (while Prince Harry visits Zambia), sources confirm that she is actually in Los Angeles.”
WATCH: Doria Ragland: facts to know about Duchess Meghan’s mum:
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But that’s not to say Meghan won’t be seeing her mum anytime soon. It is expected Doria will fly to meet her daughter ahead of Christmas, and may even go so far as to join in the Queen’s Christmas Day lunch at Sandringham.
If Doria is indeed going to be in attendance at the high-brow lunch, there are a couple of odd traditions she can expect – namely being weighed.
Yep, you read that right – according to royal commentator Ingrid Seward, members of the royal family weigh themselves before and after Christmas dinner because of a tradition that dates back to King Edward VII’s time when he was concerned his guests were not eating enough!
Guests are also expected to enter the room where they dine in order of seniority, according to Business Insider.
It is also understood the family make like many others and wear paper hats – apart from the Queen herself!
Doria will be joining in some quriky traditions with the British royals on Christmas Day. (Image: Getty)
Harry’s trip overseas also coincides with an announcement from Kensington Palace stating that he and Meghan will be moving to a new home – Frogmore Cottage, a 10-bedroom home in Windsor.
The new home includes 10-bedrooms, a new nursery and space for a gym and yoga studio. It is rumoured Doria may even move into the home to help the growing family.
A source told The Sunday Mirror that Doria would be staying with the couple for “quite long periods”.
“Frogmore Cottage isn’t massive but it’s certainly big enough for Doria to have a separate area there.”
