The appearance of Doria Ragland, mother of Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, in the official royal photo with the latter's new-born son has generated a lot of buzz online. Many are calling it a proof of the age of multicultural Britain.
In a new post on their official Instagram account, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex posed with 'Baby Sussex' and revealed the name of their first born child. The seventh in line to the throne has been named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.
But what stands out in the picture is that it has Doria and the Queen of England in the same frame, smiling down lovingly at Archie (which means “genuine”, “bold” and “brave”, in case you are wondering), held by an elated Meghan.
“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are pleased to have announced they have named their first born child: Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor,” the caption read. Meghan’s pregnancy was first announced in October 2018.
“This afternoon Their Royal Highnesses introduced Her Majesty The Queen to her eighth great-grandchild, at Windsor Castle. The Duke of Edinburgh and the Duchess’ mother were also present for this special occasion.”
It was Doria’s appearance as the royal baby’s grandmother that captured the attention of many, with some likening it to when Michelle Obama broke new grounds as America’s first First Lady of colour.
“The presence of the mother is significantly important as it reminds the public and the royal family that there is black in the Union Jack,” Patrick Vernon OBE, a prominent campaigner during the UK’s Windrush scandal, told HuffPost calling it “modernity”.
“Britain is a multicultural and secular society - and Meghan and Harry reflect a new modernity to the royal family."
“When people write the history books in the future...historians cannot erase us from the history of Britain again. Like all black mothers, she’ll play an important role in nurturing and giving her grandson a sense of identity and empowerment,” he added.
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Talking further about Doria, 62, is a yoga instructor who was born in Ohio, United States, Olivette Otele, who recently became the UK’s first black female history professor, said, “Meghan Markle mentioned her mother when she talked about her baby being introduced to the Queen; she didn’t have to. Her African-American mother was among the women who she said inspired her and that child will most likely have a loving grand mother around in many ways - as well as one who understands the struggle, history, resilience and power of people of African descent.”
Adhering the cultural significance Sunday Times journalist Grant Tucker tweeted, “When the Queen ascended to the throne the last remnants of the British Empire were still brutalising many on the African continent. 65 years later that same woman looks down upon her great-grandson, alongside his African-American grandmother. Such an historic photograph.”
Reacting to the photograph, writer Kathleen Newman-Bremang tweeted, “Doria in colour! No one else matters!”
US reporter Robbin Simmons wrote, “Baby Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor meets the Queen & Duke...aka the Great Grandparents. Grandmother Doria Ragland they’re looking on. Can’t help but think of Princess Diana at these moments.”
They introduced their two-day-old son to the world in a photo call at St George’s Hall, Windsor Castle, with Meghan declaring: “It’s magic, it’s pretty amazing. I have the two best guys in the world so I’m really happy.”
The prince added: “I’m so incredibly proud of my wife. And as every father and parent would say, your baby is absolutely amazing. But this little thing is absolutely to-die-for so I’m absolutely over the moon.”
Britain’s Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle got married in May 2018.
Picture Credit: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex / Instagram
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