Meghan Markle ‘may buy a large pad in a secluded LA location so mum Doria can play a major part in Baby Archie’s life’
A ROYAL source has claimed Meghan Markle may be keen to buy a large home in LA so she can “keep in touch with her US roots.”
The Duchess of Sussex, 38, grew up in the swanky Californian city and her yoga-instructor mum Doria Ragland, 62, still resides there.
The insider told Fabulous Digital that Meghan Markle would be keen to snap up a property close to Doria – particularly so she can spend time with her new grandson Archie.
The source said: “They [the Duke and Duchess of Sussex] are keen for Doria to play a major part in Archie’s life, particularly as Thomas Markle is frozen out.
“Meghan would, in an ideal world, like to buy a large house in a secluded location in LA so she can keep her US traditions going.”
They added that the royal couple may wait a while before snapping up a property, due to their continuing work on their Windsor home.
The source continued: “After bad press during the lavish US baby shower, now might not be the time, particularly in the light of UK taxpayers picking up the tab for Frogmore Cottage's £2.4 million renovations.”
Meghan was criticised for having an extravagant party prior to the birth of Archie, which is estimated to cost around £300,000.
The baby shower was held in the most expensive suite in New York and was attended by a host of A-list friends such as Amal Clooney and Serena Williams.
Doria flew over from LA to help with Archie’s birth, and she was even given a special mention in the birth announcement given by Buckingham Palace.
It said: “The Duchess's mother, Doria Ragland, who is overjoyed by the arrival of her first grandchild, is with their Royal Highnesses at Frogmore Cottage.”
At the time, royal watchers said this was an indication of the significant role Doria would play in Archie’s life.
Doria has her own room at Frogmore Cottage and insiders have claimed she will be a “frequent visitor” – although Meghan is yet to take Archie to see her in LA.
If Meghan does snap up a home in LA, it won’t be the first house she has owned in the area.
Before meeting her prince, Meghan had a stylish four-bedroom house in Los Angeles with her ex-husband Trevor Engelson, close to the heart of Hollywood.
The colonial-style house in Hancock Park, located in the residential area of Greater Wilshire, has just gone on the market for $1.8million or £1.5million.
The Duchess of Sussex owned the spacious home while she was married to producer Trevor between 2011 and 2013, TMZ reports.
But eventually they split and she moved to Toronto to star as paralegal Rachel Zane in Suits.
The LA pad boasts three bathrooms with more than 2,000 sq ft of space and an open floor plan.
For the sunshine-filled California days there’s even a grassy garden and an al fresco dining area.
When Meghan moved to Canada, she lived in a three-bedroom, two bathroom townhouse in Toronto which eventually sold for $1.6 million (£953,289).
Meghan is said to have grown up in a section of LA known as Ladera Heights with her mum, in a home estimated to cost $800,000 or £663,632.
But perhaps she could opt for a location like Bel Air – where Beyonce and Jennifer Aniston have resided – or Silver Lake, like Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling.
And if she wanted to keep up with the Kardashians she could go for the Calabasas or Hidden Hills area, and her pal Priyanka Chopra lives near to Beverly Hills.
Meghan and Harry moved into their new home, Frogmore Cottage, in April, a month before baby Archie Harrison was born.
Their refurb of the royal residence has so far cost taxpayers a whopping £2.4million, but is likely to cost nearly £3million once it’s finished.
Their five-bedroom property — a gift from the Queen — is said to have required a “substantial overhaul” before they were able to move in, including new heating, wiring and utilities.
But the public also coughed up for the kitchen, bathrooms and even fitted wardrobes and storage, as well as a renowned interior designer.
However, officials said the couple did pay for their own “fixtures and fittings”.
Previously a different source told the Sun: “Meghan definitely wants a place in Los Angeles — she loves the city, the lifestyle and climate.
“Ultimately, she is a California girl and can breathe easier there. Hollywood is in her DNA and I think it is where she has always wanted to keep a solid footing.
“Spending time there would also allow her some freedom and independence from both the Palace and the Press — and more control over her life and the people around her.
“She is a duchess in the UK, but could be a queen in LA.”
Buckingham Palace declined to comment.
We shared how Meghan and Harry will be known as the Earl and Countess of Dumbarton when they ‘visit Scotland this summer’.
And the frugal Queen uses bedsheets from the Royal Yacht Britannia that was decommissioned in 1997.