Meghan Markle may have built a new life in the English countryside, but the latest family crisis has left her wishing she could be somewhere else, with the person she has always turned to for comfort: her mother, Doria Ragland. As painful allegations involving her estranged father continue to emerge, Meghan is reportedly leaning heavily on the people closest to her, but the distance between England and Los Angeles has made an already difficult time even harder.

According to PEOPLE, Meghan has been deeply affected by the allegations against Thomas Markle Sr., particularly because of the relationship they once shared. Although father and daughter have been estranged for years, the news has brought back memories of a time when she trusted him and considered him an important part of her life.

“She is devastated. This is her dad, someone she grew up trusting and was very close to for many years,” a source close to Meghan told the magazine. “The allegations are devastating for her. There’s a lot of sadness.”

The insider added that Meghan is managing to cope with the help of those around her. “She’s holding up. She has a lot of friends and family to lean on,” the source said.

But there is one person whose presence Meghan is said to miss more than ever, and that is Doria. With her mother living in Los Angeles while Meghan is now based in England, the two have had to rely on frequent conversations rather than being able to spend time together in person.

The Distance From Doria Is Being Felt More Than Ever

Meghan and Doria have long been described as close, and the latest reports suggest their relationship has become an important source of strength during the family ordeal. According to PEOPLE, the Duchess has been speaking regularly with her mother, who has also been dealing with the situation from across the Atlantic.

“Meghan and her mother are very close,” an insider told the magazine. “They’re supporting each other.”

The source also offered a glimpse of just how much Meghan wishes her mother were nearby. “She misses her mom since moving to England, and this makes her miss her even more,” the insider said. “They’ve been speaking a lot. Being able to talk to her mom helps, even though she wishes they could be together.”

That last detail says a great deal about what Meghan may be finding hardest at the moment. Having friends and family to call is one thing, but being able to sit with her mother, talk face to face and draw comfort from her presence is something she cannot easily replace while they are living on opposite sides of the Atlantic.

Play

Doria Has Also Been Helping Investigators

The situation has placed Doria in a difficult position of her own. PEOPLE reports that she has already assisted the FBI as investigators examine the allegations involving Thomas Markle Sr. According to the magazine, authorities showed her redacted versions of suspected child sexual abuse images, and she helped identify her former husband as the man pictured.

Doria was married to Thomas Sr. from 1979 to 1987 and, according to PEOPLE, has now helped investigators identify him in connection with the material they are examining. The investigation is ongoing, and the allegations have yet to be established in court.

A source close to Meghan also told PEOPLE that the Duchess is prepared to cooperate with authorities. For now, however, her attention is said to be firmly on her family, particularly Archie and Lilibet.

“The children are such a comfort to her right now,” a source told the magazine.

The children are clearly an important part of the support Meghan has around her, but the reports also suggest that this is a moment when she would like the comfort of her own mother close by. Whatever else is happening within the Markle family, the relationship between Meghan and Doria appears to remain a source of reassurance for both women.

For Meghan, living in England may be the life she has chosen with Prince Harry and their children, but this latest crisis has brought the distance from Los Angeles into sharper focus. She can speak to Doria whenever she needs to, yet the wish to have her mother beside her is reportedly stronger than ever.