Meghan Markle has not been able to see her mother Doria since returning to Los Angeles because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to reports.
Being close to her beloved mum is understood to have been a key factor in the Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry ’s decision to relocate from Canada to the US.
The couple, who have now officially finished their royal duties and no longer use their HRH titles, live just 10 miles away from Doria Ragland, 63.
However, they have reportedly been advised not to see each other as the virus sweeps across the US, where it has now killed 8,452 people in the nation.
Meghan and Harry are said to be strictly following social distancing guidelines, but are keeping touch with 11-month-old son Archie’s grandmother via WhatsApp and FaceTime.
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A royal source has told the The Sun that the situation has left Meghan “absolutely heartbroken”.
“After all, one of the main reasons she decided to live in LA was to be near her mum,” the source said.
“They’ve been WhatsApping and FaceTiming almost daily but obviously it’s not the same.”
Meghan and Harry boarded a private jet and flew to LA just before the US and Canada closed their borders to non-essential travel to stop the spread of Covid-19.
They have been living in Vancouver Island since making the bombshell announcement that they would be quitting the royal family in January, and returned to the UK for a farewell tour last month.
But now, the couple have packed their bags again and moved to California, which is believed to be their permanent base going forward.
The couple decided they “had to get out" before the borders closed for the foreseeable future, according to reports.
However it is expected that Doria, a former social worker, will be a significant part of Meghan and Harry’s lives once the pandemic eases.
The former social worker is said to “adore” her baby grandson Archie and is expected to spend extended periods of time with the family.
“Doria will definitely have a presence in their day-to-day life,” the source continued.
It is also understood that although the couple have moved to Hollywood, Meghan has no immediate plans to return to acting.
Instead, she will be focussing on charitable work while she and Harry have their sights set on the wealthy Pacific Palisades neighbourhood as a potential new home.
