Princess Diana’s nieces—Lady Kitty Spencer and twins Amelia and Eliza—are carving out a unique path for the Spencer family, blending their heritage with modern influences. In a recent Tatler interview, the sisters shared their connection to the Spencer family archive, which holds significant pieces of fashion history.
Kitty’s collection includes heirlooms like handbags from their great-aunt and great-grandmother, a gold purse once owned by Lady Anne Spencer, and a 1920s chainmail bag belonging to Anne’s mother, Cynthia, wife of the 7th Earl Spencer and Lady of the Bedchamber to the Queen Mother for 35 years.
“I’ll definitely pass them on to my daughter one day,” Kitty said. “It’s so special to have our family history accessible, helping us understand where we came from.”
The daughters of Earl Charles Spencer, Princess Diana’s younger brother, and Victoria Aitken, the sisters were raised in Cape Town, South Africa, and now live in London. Kitty, the eldest, continues Diana’s charitable legacy as an ambassador for Centrepoint, a charity supporting homeless youth.
“Centrepoint has been a cherished cause for my family for years,” Kitty said. “I’m incredibly proud of my cousin, Prince William, for his ongoing dedication to its vital work.”
The sisters also embrace openness about mental health, a value instilled by their mother. “I’ve been seeing a therapist for 17 years,” Eliza revealed. “It’s a privilege to have someone outside your circle to support and guide you.”
While Kitty balances her charity work with raising her daughter, Athena, born in 2023, the twins are making their own mark. They recently made headlines at the 2024 Fashion Awards, donning matching black gowns reminiscent of Princess Diana’s iconic revenge dress. Eliza also hinted at a possible wedding with her longtime partner, Channing.
The Spencer family’s storied history dates back to the 15th century and includes notable figures like Sir Winston Churchill. However, the family estate, Althorp, will not pass to Kitty as the eldest child but to her younger brother, Louis, due to primogeniture laws.
“It’s a lot,” their father, Charles Spencer, explained. “I would be fine with Kitty inheriting, but choosing her would go against the traditions tied to Althorp.”
The Spencer sisters continue to honor their heritage while shaping a modern legacy of their own in fashion, philanthropy, and family values.
