Who Is Princess Diana’s Mother? Plus More Facts About the Royal’s Family and Upbringing!
Think you know everything about the late Princess Diana? Think again!
Following the Sunday, May 7 premiere of ABC’s new special The Last 100 Days of Diana, many royal fans have posed questions about Diana’s relationship with her mother, extended family, and upbringing.
Scroll down to see interesting facts about Diana!
Who is Diana’s mother?
Diana’s mother was Frances Shand Kydd. Frances was born in England in January 1936 and later married Diana’s father, John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer, at age 18 in June 1984 at London’s Westminster Abbey.
Frances’ mother, Ruth Roche, Baroness Fermoy, was a confidante and lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth — later the Queen Mother — so Diana’s family has been close with the royals for decades.
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In 1967, Frances left her husband to instead be with Peter Shand Kydd, an heir to a wallpaper fortune. They were then married from 1969 until 1990. Frances sadly died at age 68 in June 2004 after suffering from brain cancer and Parkinson’s disease.
Diana with her mother, Frances, in 1989. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
Does Diana have siblings?
Yes, Diana’s parents had five children: Lady Sarah McCorquodale, 62, Jane Fellowes, Baroness Fellowes, 60, The Honourable John Spencer (who sadly died 10 hours after his January 1960 birth), the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, 52.
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Where did she grow up?
Diana was born in Norfolk, England in July 1961. She was raised in Park House — which the her parents leased from Queen Elizabeth II — on the royal family’s Sandringham estate. During her parents’ separation, Diana went to live with her mother in London but when her father later gained custody, she moved to Althorp in Northampton, England.
Diana (far right) with her father and siblings in 1970. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
How did Diana meet Prince Charles?
Diana first met Charles in November 1977 while he was dating her older sister, Lady Sarah. During the summer of 1980, Diana watched Charles play in a polo match at which time he reportedly began thinking of her as a potential bride. In November 1980, Diana was invited to meet Charles’ family. After subsequently courting in London, Charles proposed to Diana in February 1981.
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What was Diana’s relationship with her mother like?
Throughout her life, Diana was often compared to her mother, Frances, because they were both inexperienced young women who were thrust into the spotlight when they married older men with higher social stature.
Though Diana and Frances were thought to have a very strong relationship — Diana reportedly once referred to her mother as her “best chum” — rumors later surfaced that Diana and Frances did not speak for months leading up to the royal’s August 1997 death.
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