The bond between Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and her mother, Doria Ragland, has long been a subject of fascination for royal watchers. While the two women have often presented a united front, recent reports suggest that tensions have been brewing behind the scenes, threatening to tear their once-close relationship apart.

At the heart of the alleged rift is the controversial naming of Meghan and Prince Harry’s second child, Lili but Lily Diana Mountbatten-Windsor. According to sources, Doria was reportedly not consulted about the decision to name her granddaughter after the Queen’s childhood nickname – a move that has been seen by some as a bold and potentially disrespectful assertion of Meghan’s independence.

“Doria feels like she’s been pushed out,” an insider told a popular celebrity news outlet. “She’s been an integral part of Meghan’s life for so long, and not being included in such a big family decision has really hurt her.”

The tensions, it seems, have been building for some time. Longtime royal observers have noted a shift in the dynamic between Meghan and Doria, with the once-close mother-daughter duo appearing increasingly distant in recent public appearances. Some have pointed to Meghan’s growing sense of independence and control as a potential source of the strain, as the Duchess has taken on a more prominent role in the public eye.

“Meghan is a very strong-willed woman, and I think that’s part of what has caused the rift with Doria,” says royal commentator Emily Andrews. “She’s used to calling the shots, and I think Doria’s desire to be more involved in her grandchildren’s lives has clashed with Meghan’s need for autonomy.”

This desire for control is not a new phenomenon for Meghan. Even before her marriage to Prince Harry, the Duchess was known for her determined and independent nature – traits that served her well in her successful acting career but may have put a strain on her relationship with her mother.

“Meghan has always been very much her own person,” says longtime friend and former co-star Abigail Spencer. “She’s not one to shy away from a challenge or to let others dictate how she lives her life. That’s admirable in many ways, but it can also make it difficult for her to compromise or to share the spotlight, even with her own family.”

The reported tension between Meghan and Doria stands in stark contrast to the Duchess’s public persona as a devoted and doting mother. In the past, Meghan has spoken lovingly of her mother, describing her as a free-spirited clinical therapist and crediting Doria with instilling in her a strong sense of self-worth and confidence. But behind the carefully curated image, it seems that the relationship has become increasingly fraught, with Doria allegedly feeling sidelined and disrespected by her daughter’s choices.

“Doria was really hoping to play a more active role in her grandchildren’s lives,” the insider said. “But Meghan has kept her at arm’s length, and I think that’s been really hard for her to accept.”

The reported rift has only served to fuel the ongoing feud between Meghan and the rest of the royal family, with some speculating that the Duchess’s perceived snubbing of her own mother could be seen as a reflection of her broader issues with the House of Windsor.

“There’s a sense that Meghan has a real problem with authority and with deferring to others, whether that’s her own mother or the Queen,” says royal biographer Ingrid Seward. “And that’s something that’s caused a lot of tension, not just within her own family but within the royal family as well.”

As the Sussexes continue to navigate their new life outside the confines of the British monarchy, the state of Meghan’s relationship with Doria remains a closely guarded secret. Both women have remained tight-lipped about the reports, with neither offering any public comment on the matter.

But for those who have followed Meghan’s journey from Hollywood actress to royal rebel, the alleged rift with her mother is yet another chapter in a saga that has captivated the world.

“Meghan and Doria have always had a very special bond,” says longtime friend Priyanka Chopra. “To see that relationship potentially unravel in the public eye is heartbreaking. But if anyone can weather this storm, it’s these two strong, resilient women.”

Only time will tell whether Meghan and Doria can mend the rift and reclaim the closeness that once defined their relationship. For now, the world can only watch and wonder as the drama of the royal family continues to unfold.