Is Three Really A Crowd?

With Doria Ragland said to be moving in with Meghan and Harry, we investigate if living with your grown-up children is the best idea

- Sarah Holmes

Arguments over dirty dishes, heaving laundry baskets and boozy, late-night homecomings. Living with grown-up children can be challenging at the best of times. But when it’s you living under their roof, and by their rules, the role reversal can make it even trickier.

This spring, it’s thought Doria Ragland could be moving in with her daughter Meghan and son-in-law Prince Harry at Frogmore Cottage. With divorce rates among the over-55s rising, and one in four families relying on granny for budget-friendly childcare, she’s certainly not the first baby-boomer parent to take up residence in her offspring’s spare room (or spare wing, if you’re a royal).

But while it’s unlikely Doria, 62, will need to worry about domestic chores, it begs the question – just how will she adapt to becoming the guest in their home? Because, as this Woman reader reveals, the reality isn’t always rosy…

‘I FOUND MYSELF BACK IN MY OLD MUM ROLE’

Caroline Jennings, 50, lives in London with her daughter, Jess, 27, Jess’ partner, Rory, 25, and granddaughter, Halle, one. Pulling up a chair, head pounding from last night’s wine, I poured myself a cup of coffee and tried to avoid the disapproving stares across the table. When I first moved into my daughter Jess’ house that she shared with her partner Rory in 2016, people warned me the tables would be turned. I hadn’t realised they meant quite so literally.