Fransys Shand Kydd Princess Diana's mother Country: Great Britain

Biography of Frances Shand-Kidd

Frances Shand-Kidd, formerly known as Viscountess Spencer, is the mother of Princess Diana, also known as Lady Diana. Frances was born as Frances Ruth Roche on January 20, 1936, in Sandringham, Norfolk, England. She grew up in an aristocratic family closely associated with the British monarchy. Her mother, Lady Ruth, was a close friend and lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth, spending time together drinking tea and embroidering.

Frances received a refined upbringing, learning domestic skills, knitting, and etiquette, as well as reading English novels. Her family often attended receptions and breakfasts with King George V and Queen Elizabeth. It was during one of these events in 1953 that Frances's parents found a suitable match for her in Edward John Spencer, the Viscount Althorp. Edward, known as John, was not only wealthy but also charming, and the couple married soon after.

Their first child, Sarah, was born in 1955, followed by Jane in 1957. However, John desired a son and was disappointed when their third child, Diana Frances, was born in 1961. Frances went through several medical examinations to understand why she kept giving birth to daughters, and in 1964, she finally gave birth to a son named Charles Edward Maurice. However, the joy was short-lived as Charles had lung problems and passed away after only ten hours.

The strained marriage between Frances and John deteriorated further, and in 1967, they announced their divorce. John filed a lawsuit to gain custody of their children, and Frances moved to London to be closer to her lover, Peter Shand-Kidd. They began a passionate affair, and Frances's relationship with her children suffered as a result. Diana, at a young age, would often comfort her crying brother and try to take care of him, as their mother was often absent.

In 1967, the court granted custody of the children to John, and Frances was allowed to see them a few times a week and during summer vacations. Her relationship with her mother, Lady Ruth, also became strained, as Lady Ruth testified against Frances in court, believing the children were better off with their father. Lady Ruth wanted to protect her grandchildren, not realizing the true extent of the conflicts within the Spencer household.

Frances remained silent about the personal problems within her family, following an unspoken code of honor. She rarely communicated with her mother, and their relationship remained strained for nine years. However, Lady Ruth continued to care for her grandchildren, ensuring they were taken care of in the absence of a female presence in their home.

Frances later married Peter Shand-Kidd and lived a secluded life in her estate in Scotland. She focused on her hobbies, such as gardening, playing bridge with respectable neighbors, and embroidering. Her life was structured and scheduled, filled with lunches, walks, and evening conversations by the fireplace. Whether she reminisced about the past or thought about her grandchildren, it remains unknown.

Frances Shand-Kidd's life was far from happy and cannot serve as an example for others. It was filled with bitterness, wounded pride, and unresolved conflicts. Her desire for financial independence and passion led her to make choices that ultimately impacted her relationship with her children. Despite the challenges, she remained a respected and aristocratic English lady, adhering to her own standards of conduct.

Frances Shand-Kidd passed away on June 3, 2004, at the age of 68. Her life, filled with ups and downs, remains a complex story woven together through accounts, memories, and family photographs. Only God knows the true extent of her journey, but one thing is certain: her fate was not one of happiness and cannot serve as a model for others.