Princess Diana's Nieces Inherited the Best Fashion Heirlooms From the Spencer Family Archive

Princess Diana's nieces may be contemporary British socialites, but the most important pieces in their collection are decidedly un-modern. Speaking in a new interview with Tatler, Lady Kitty Spencer and her twin sisters, Amelia and Eliza, shared that they have been lucky enough to inherit special pieces of "fashion history" thanks to the Spencer family archive.

In particular, Kitty's treasure trove of accessories so far includes handbags that belonged to their great-aunt and great-grandmother and a gold purse from Lady Anne Spencer, sister of the 8th Earl, who was an officer in the Wrens in World War II. She also owns a 1920s chainmail bag that belonged to Anne’s mother, Cynthia, wife of the 7th Earl, daughter of the Duke of Abercorn, and Lady of the Bedchamber to the Queen Mother for 35 years.

Suffice to say, it's a collection that inspires a certain degree of reverence.

"I’ll definitely give them to my daughter one day," Kitty said. "[They are] so special to pass on. It’s lucky to have our family history so accessible to us, so we can understand where we came from."

Kitty, Eliza, and Amelia are the daughters of Aitken and her ex-husband, Earl Charles Spencer, a.k.a. Princess Diana's younger brother. They were raised in Cape Town, South Africa and currently reside in London. Kitty, the eldest, works alongside Prince William in her role as an ambassador for the charity Centrepoint, which Princess Diana also worked with.

"I think she put the name out there," she said, referring to her aunt's involvement. "Centrepoint has been a cherished charity that my family and I have supported for many years. I’m extremely proud of my cousin Prince William for all he does and continues to do to support Centrepoint and the vital work they provide to homeless young people."

Following in Diana's footsteps, all three sisters were raised by their mother to be open about their mental health. "I’ve seen a therapist for the last 17 years," Eliza shared. "I think everyone should have someone to speak to that’s outside of their inner circle. It’s a privilege to be able to have someone to help you and support you and guide you."

Aside from her charity work and her life as a British socialite, Kitty is plenty busy raising her daughter, Athena, who was born in 2023. As for the twins? They don't have any children of their own (yet), but they did just find out that they're identical twins. ("We always knew," they said.) The pair made headlines most recently for stepping out at the 2024 Fashion Awards in matching black gowns highly reminiscent of Princess Diana's iconic revenge dress. Eliza, for her part, also hinted that a future wedding with her partner of nine years, Channing, is "definitely on the cards."

The Spencer family tree dates back to the 15th century and includes former Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill among its members. And though Kitty is the eldest child of her generation of Spencers, she will not inherit the family's Althorp Estate. Instead, due to primogeniture laws, the property will go to their younger brother, Louis.

"It’s a lot," their father, Charles, told The Telegraph. "I would be totally relaxed about Kitty inheriting it, but...if I chose Kitty, it would be against all the tradition that goes with Althorp.”

Read the original article on InStyle