Inside the life of Princess Diana’s glam niece as she turns 34 – from marrying a millionaire to being the face of D&G
LADY Kitty Spencer might be known for being Princess Diana’s niece, but that’s not the most interesting thing about her.
The 34-year-old model, who made her public debut at Prince William and Kate Middleton’s 2011 wedding, is married to a fashion tycoon who’s 32 years her senior.
Unlike other members of the Royal Family, she chose to forge a life for herself outside of the spotlight.
Alongside her modelling career, where she has worked with the likes of Dolce & Gabbana and Bulgari, she has been a devoted advocate for homeless charity Centrepoint.
We take a look at Lady Kitty’s fascinating life…
Who is Lady Kitty Spencer and how old is she?
Born December 28, 1990, Kitty Eleanor Spencer recently celebrated her 34th birthday.
She is the daughter of the former British model, Victoria Aitken, and nobleman, Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer and younger brother of Princess Diana.
Lady Kitty spent most of her childhood in South Africa as part of her father’s bid to keep her out of the spotlight following the death of her aunt in 1997.
She studied psychology and English literature in South Africa, before turning her attention to art history and Italian in Florence.
The academic returned to the UK in her twenties to complete a Masters degree in Luxury Brand Management at Regents University.
She also undertook a consultancy placement at newspaper The Financial Times as part of the qualification.
A rich modelling career
Lady Kitty landed her first modelling gig at just one-year-old when she appeared on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar UK alongside her mum.
Like mother, like daughter, she pursued modelling and kicked her career off by signing with Storm Model Management in 2015.
She later made her runway debut in 2017 with Dolce & Gabbana, and later became a global ambassador for the Italian fashion house in 2021.
Lady Kitty was also named an ambassador for fellow Italian designer Bulgari in 2018.
According to Storm, she “is in demand as an international fashion and beauty icon and has worked with many of the world’s most prestigious brands”.
Among her other deals are Ralph Lauren, Zimmerman, Alberta Ferretti and Aquazurra.
Married to a multi-millionaire business tycoon
Lady Kitty tied the knot with Michael Lewis, 66, in a lavish Italian ceremony in front of high-society guests at the Villa Aldobrandini, Rome in July 2021.
They met through mutual friends in 2018, and are said to have bonded on their shared ties to South Africa and interest in fashion, despite their 32 year age gap.
They announced their engagement in January 2020.
Michael is believed to be worth £80 million thanks to his career as a director, chairman and shareholder in a number of firms.
Most notably, he has been the chairman of Foschini Group since 2015, which has more than 3,000 stores in its portfolio.
Lady Kitty surprised fans in March 2024 when she revealed on Instagram that the pair had welcomed a baby some months prior, who we now know to be a little girl named Athena.
‘I was so young’
Lady Kitty has spoken about her relationship with Princess Diana.
In an interview with Vanity Fair in 2016, she said: ‘I was so young [when Diana was alive].
“There are only a few memories, but special memories and happy memories, and I’m so lucky to have those.”
There are only a few memories, but special memories and happy memories, and I’m so lucky to have those
Lady Kitty Spencer
In 2014, Lady Kitty addressed fans and media drawing comparisons between her and her late aunty.
She said: “I suppose people will always try to make comparisons.
“But, gosh, if you think that, then I am really happy.”
Comparisons come from Lady Kitty following in Diana’s footsteps as a philanthropist, most notably as an ambassador for the youth homeless charity Centre Point.
She is a trustee and patron for the charity Give Us Time, which helps members of the military rehabilitate into society and reconnect with their families.
Everything you need to know about Princess Diana's final years
After years of separation, Prince Charles and Princess Diana divorced in 1996.
In 1997, Princess Diana spent her summer in the south of France and Italy. During August, she visited Sarajevo, Bosnia, to highlight the fight against landmines.
By the end of the month, the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al-Fayed travelled to Paris together.
It was revealed that Princess Diana stayed longer than planned in Paris due to a row over her land mine campaign.
Travelling in a black Mercedes Benz, Princess Diana was involved in a car crash in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel on August 31, 1997.
The Princess of Wales died at the age of 36.
Her funeral was held on September 6, 1997. As her coffin made the journey from Kensington Palace to Westminister Abbey, Prince William and Prince Harry walked behind their late mother.
Princess Diana’s mother, Frances Shand Kydd, and sisters, Jane Fellowes and Sarah McCorquodale, also attended the funeral.
The Princess of Wales was buried at her childhood home – Althorp House
If it wasn’t for her tragic death, Princess Diana would have been 62 today.