Delve into the captivating tale of Lady Diana Frances Spencer’s family history, a narrative intertwined with nobility and a legacy worth exploring. From her descendants hailing from English nobility to unexplored connections with prominent figures like Sir Winston Churchill, her lineage paints a vivid picture of aristocracy and influence.
Lady Diana Frances Spencer's lineage can be traced back to a lineage rich in heritage and historical significance. Her family's close ties with Sir Winston Churchill, a towering figure in British history, add a layer of intrigue to her already fascinating ancestry.
Lady Diana's lineage holds tales of grandeur, drama, and societal impact that shaped her life and the history of the British aristocracy. Understanding her family history provides a nuanced perspective on her character and the influences that moulded her into the iconic figure she became.
Exploring Lady Diana Frances Spencer's family history is akin to embarking on a journey through time, unravelling mysteries, and discovering connections that bridge the past with the present. It serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of one of the most enigmatic figures of our time.
As we delve into the annals of history, visual representations offer a glimpse into the past that words alone cannot capture. Let these images transport you to a bygone era, where the echoes of the past resonate with the present.
Through the corridors of time, Lady Diana Frances Spencer's family history stands as a testament to the enduring power of lineage and legacy. Join us in unravelling the tapestry of her ancestry and discovering the stories that shaped her remarkable journey.
Diana's funeral took place in Westminster Abbey on 6 September 1997. The previous day, Queen Elizabeth II paid tribute to her former daughter-in-law in a live television broadcast:
“Since last Sunday's dreadful news we have seen, throughout Britain and around the world, an overwhelming expression of sadness at Diana's death. .... I want to pay tribute to Diana myself. She was an exceptional and gifted human being. In good times and bad, she never lost her capacity to smile, laugh, or inspire others with her warmth and kindness. I admired and respected her - for her energy and commitment to others, and especially for her devotion to her two boys. ... No-one who knew Diana would ever forget her. Millions of others who never met her, but felt they knew her, will remember her. I for one believe there are lessons to be drawn from her life and the extraordinary and moving reaction to her death. I share in your determination to cherish her memory.”
The sudden and unexpected death of a very popular royal figure brought statements from senior figures worldwide and many tributes from members of the public. In reaction to the death, people left public offerings of flowers, candles, cards and personal messages.
By 10 September, the pile of flowers outside Kensington Gardens was five feet deep in places and the bottom layer had started to compost.
The same day, Fabio Piras, a Sardinian tourist, was given a one-week prison sentence for having taken a teddy bear that a member of the public had put down among the flowers at St James's Palace as a tribute to Diana (this was later reduced to a £100 fine, a reduction that led to him being punched in the face by a member of the public when he left the court.)
The next day, Maria Rigociova, a 54-year-old secondary school teacher, and Agnesa Sihelska, a 50-year-old communications technician, were each given a 28-day jail sentence for having taken eleven teddy bears and many flowers from the pile outside St. James' Palace under Slovakian funeral customs.
This was later reduced to a fine (of £200 each) after they spent two nights in jail.
The reaction to Diana's death was criticised at the time as being "hysterical", "credulous" and "irrational", criticisms that were repeated on the 10th anniversary, when Jonathan Freedland expressed the opinion that "It has become an embarrassing memory, like a mawkish, self-pitying teenage entry in a diary... we cringe to think about it."
Diana's funeral saw a widespread outpouring of grief at her passing. All members of the royal family attended it.
Her sons, William and Harry, walked behind her casket with their father, Prince Charles, and grandfather, Prince Philip, and Diana's brother, Earl Spencer.
During the service, Elton John sang a new version of "Candle In The Wind", his hit song initially dedicated to Marilyn Monroe.
The title of the remake version was changed to "Candle in the Wind 1997" and the lyrics refer to Diana.
The burial occurred privately, later the same day.
The Prince of Wales, Diana's sons, her mother, siblings, a close friend, and a clergyman were present.
Diana's body was clothed in a black long-sleeved dress designed by Catherine Walker, which she had chosen some weeks before. A set of rosary beads was placed in her hands, a gift she had received from Mother Teresa, who died the same week as Diana.
Her grave is on an island within the grounds of Althorp Park, the Spencer family home.
The original plan was for Diana to be buried in the Spencer family vault at the local church in nearby Great Brington, but her younger brother, Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, said that he was concerned about public safety and security and the onslaught of visitors that might overwhelm Great Brington.
He decided that he wanted his older sister to be buried where her grave could be easily cared for and visited in privacy by her sons and other relations.
The island is in an ornamental lake called The Round Oval within Althorp Park's gardens. A path with thirty-six oak trees, marking each year of her life, leads to the Oval.
Four black swans swim in the lake. There are water lilies in the water, which, in addition to white roses, were Diana's favourite flowers.
On the southern verge of the Round Oval sits the Summerhouse, previously in the gardens of Admiralty House, London, and now adapted to serve as a memorial to Diana. An ancient arboretum stands nearby, which contains trees planted by Prince William of Wales and Prince Henry of Wales, other members of her family, and Diana herself.
Diana Frances Spencer Lady (1961 - 1997)
15th cousin
Edward John Spencer (1924 - 1992)
father of Diana Frances Spencer Lady
Albert Edward John Spencer (1892 - 1975)
father of Edward John Spencer
Charles Robert Spencer (1857 - 1922)
father of Albert Edward John Spencer
Frederick Spencer 4th Earl Spencer Vice-Admiral KG CB PC Spencer (1798 - 1857)
father of Charles Robert Spencer
George John Viscount Althorp 2nd Earl Spencer (1758 - 1834)
father of Frederick Spencer 4th Earl Spencer Vice-Admiral KG CB PC Spencer
John Spencer (1734 - 1783)
father of George John Viscount Althorp 2nd Earl Spencer
John Spencer (1708 - 1746)
father of John Spencer
Charles 3rd Earl of Sunderland Spencer (1675 - 1722)
father of John Spencer
Robert 2nd Earl of Sunderland Spencer Sir (1640 - 1702)
father of Charles 3rd Earl of Sunderland Spencer
Henry of Sunderland Spencer Earl (1620 - 1643)
father of Robert 2nd Earl of Sunderland Spencer Sir
Penelope Wriothesley (1598 - 1667)
mother of Henry of Sunderland Spencer Earl
Elizabeth Vernon (1572 - 1655)
mother of Penelope Wriothesley
John of Hodnet Vernon (1546 - 1592)
father of Elizabeth Vernon
George Vernon (1520 - 1553)
father of John of Hodnet Vernon
Humphrey Vernon (1463 - 1542)
father of George Vernon
Henry Vernon Sir (1445 - 1515)
father of Humphrey Vernon
Elizabeth Vernon (1477 - 1563)
daughter of Henry Vernon Sir
Reginald Corbet Sir (1506 - 1566)
son of Elizabeth Vernon
Anne Corbet (1550 - 1600)
daughter of Reginald Corbet Sir
RICHARD MYTTON (1578 - 1640)
son of Anne Corbet
SARAH MYTTON (1604 - 1677)
daughter of RICHARD MYTTON
WALTER 2nd Bt ACTON Sir (1620 - 1665)
son of SARAH MYTTON
ROBERT ACTON Snr (1655 - 1695)
son of WALTER 2nd Bt ACTON Sir
ROBERT ACTON jnr (1686 - 1721)
son of ROBERT ACTON Snr
CHARLES ACTON (1717 - 1761)
son of ROBERT ACTON jnr
JOHN ACTON (1744 - 1823)
son of CHARLES ACTON
SARAH ACTON (1766 - 1841)
daughter of JOHN ACTON
WILLIAM ROBERT BOND (1801 - 1876)
son of SARAH ACTON
JAMES ROBERT BOND (1831 - 1884)
son of WILLIAM ROBERT BOND
HARRY V BOND (1864 - 1950)
son of JAMES ROBERT BOND
CYRIL LEONARD BOND (1904 - 1983)
son of HARRY V BOND
Lady Diana Frances Spencer's family has connections with Sir Winston Churchill, they are 6th cousins.
Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill Sir 1874-1965
6th cousin
Randolph Henry Spencer Churchill Lord 1849-1895 Father of Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill Sir
John Winston 7th Duke of Marlborough Spencer Churchill 1822-1883 Father of Randolph Henry Spencer Churchill Lord
George Marlborough Spencer Churchill 1793-1857 Father of John Winston 7th Duke of Marlborough Spencer Churchill
George Charles 5th Duke Marlborough Spencer Churchill 1766-1840 Father of George Marlborough Spencer Churchill
GEORGE 4th Duke Marlborough SPENCER CHURCHILL 1739-1817 Father of George Charles 5th Duke Marlborough Spencer Churchill
Charles 3rd Duke of Marlborough Spencer Sir 1706-1758 Father of GEORGE 4th Duke Marlborough SPENCER CHURCHILL
Charles 3rd Earl of Sunderland Spencer 1675-1722 Father of Charles 3rd Duke of Marlborough Spencer Sir
John Spencer 1708-1746 Son of Charles 3rd Earl of Sunderland Spencer
George John Viscount Althorp 2nd Earl Spencer 1758-1834 Son of John Spencer
Frederick Spencer 4th Earl Spencer Vice-Admiral KG CB PC Spencer 1798-1857 Son of George John Viscount Althorp 2nd Earl Spencer
Charles Robert Spencer 1857-1922 Son of Frederick Spencer 4th Earl Spencer Vice-Admiral KG CB PC Spencer
Albert Edward John Spencer 1892-1975 Son of Charles Robert Spencer
Edward John Spencer 1924-1992 Son of Albert Edward John Spencer
Diana Frances Spencer Lady daughter of Edward John Spencer
Princess Diana's Hidden Ancestral Secret Revealed
By ABC News
June 14, 2013, 10:38 PM
LONDON, June 14, 2013— -- Once upon a time, a woman from India named Eliza Kewark was shunned by her family because of her race.
The father of her child referred to her as the "housekeeper" and the "purported mother" of their daughter, Katharine.
Katharine was sent off without her mother to England, and that's where this story might have ended. But Katherine gave birth to Jane, who gave birth to Ruth, who had another Ruth, who had Frances, who had Diana.
As in Princess Diana.
Which means that Great Britain will, one day, have a monarch with Indian blood, and the Commonwealth will be led by a king with a clear genetic link to its most populous nation.
Eliza Kewark is Prince William's great-great-great-great-great-grandmother. She has long been described as Armenian, but Kewark was at least half-Indian, the genetic ancestry testing company BritainsDNA announced today.
BritainsDNA says it is confident of Kewark's lineage because it traced Williams' mitochondrial DNA, or mtDNA, which is passed down from mother to child. BritainsDNA took saliva samples from two unnamed members of the royal family and traced it back seven generations to Kewark, who was born around 1790.
Kewark's mtDNA is so rare, BritainsDNA said, that it has only been found in 14 other people, all but one of whom was Indian (the other one was Nepali).
"It is therefore likely that Prince William has not only inherited a small proportion of Indian DNA from Eliza Kewark but her heirs will also carry it," BritainsDNA said today.
According to the biography "The Real Diana," by Lady Colin Campbell, Kewark's background was known but kept quiet by a family that was full of Europeans descended from royalty.
"Eliza Kewark was a dark-skinned native of Bombay who had lived, without benefit of matrimony, with her great-great-grandfather Theodore Forbes while he worked for the East India Company," "The Real Diana" reads.
"Unsavory as the taint of illegitimacy was, even at that distance in time, it was nothing compared with the stigma of what was then known as 'colored blood.' Had it been generally known that Ruth [Diana's great-grandmother] and her children were part-Indian, they might never have made good marriages.
"Eliza's true race was therefore expunged from the family tree and she reemerged as an Armenian. This fiction was maintained even when Diana married the Prince of Wales."
But times have changed and, today, and the family of Diana, who died in a car accident in 1997, celebrated their Indian heritage.
Mary Roach, Princess Diana's maternal-aunt, told The Times, "I always assumed that I was part-Armenian so I am delighted that I also have an Indian background."
There is a plethora of research material available on the subject of Diana and Winston Churchill, and their relationship to one another.
Indeed the novice family researcher may be overwhelmed by the amount of factual information available.
Recommended further reading:
Diana, Her True Story - in Her Own Words, by Andrew Morton.
The Real Diana, by Lady Colin Campbell.
Princess Diana, by Liam Dale.
Copyright © Noel Bond. Researched and written by Noel Bond, No written part of this Blog may be reproduced in any form, by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author.
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