Known for her extensive charity work, lasting fashion sense, and tumultuous marriage to Prince Charles (now King Charles III), Diana Frances Spencer was born on 1 July 1961 to parents John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer, and Frances Roche.

She was the fourth of five children and grew up near Sandringham Palace, even playing with the young princes Andrew and Edward. Princess Diana’s family tree tells a story of love, heartbreak, and war.

On her father’s side, Princess Diana’s ancestry boasts more than a few notable figures. The Earls of Spencer stretch all the way back to 1765 with John Spencer, 1st Earl Spencer. Ironically, he had a younger sister called Diana, who died aged only 8 years old.

John’s daughter Lady Georgiana Spencer (1757-1806) married William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire, and was featured in the popular film The Duchess starring Keira Knightley.

This makes Georgiana, who also suffered a dramatic marriage in the public eye, Diana’s 4x great-aunt.

Is Diana related to Winston Churchill?

The short answer is yes. Via the Spencer-Churchill line, Princess Diana is related to Winston Churchill, former British prime minister. Their common ancestors include Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl Spencer (1675-1722), and his wife Anne Churchill: Diana’s 7x great-grandparents, and Winston’s 5x great-grandparents. So, the connection goes back way back.

Diana’s royal roots

Diana is descended from not one, but two illegitimate children of King Charles II of England: Henry Fitzroy and Charles Lennox, via two of her great-grandmothers, Adelaide Seymour and Rosalind Bingham. This means that Diana’s royal family tree stretches back through the ages of both English and Scottish history.

The Princess of Wales is also connected to another famous female royal, Mary, Queen of Scots, whose own life was marked by tragedy, politics, and controversy. In addition, this royal connection means that Diana and her husband Prince Charles were very distant cousins, via several lines. In particular, they each descend from a daughter of Henry VII: Margaret, who married James IV of Scotland, and Mary, who married Charles Brandon.

Elsewhere in Princess Diana’s family tree, there are close links between the royal family. Diana’s grandfather Albert was a godson of Edward VII.

Charles Spencer, 6th Earl Spencer, was Diana’s great-grandfather. He was a Member of Parliament from 1880 to 1895 and from 1900-1905. As Vice-Chamberlain of the Household, he was responsible for delivering a daily report on House of Commons business to the reigning sovereign.

Diana’s ancestor Henry Spencer, 1st Earl of Sunderland, fought for the royals during the English Civil War. He was killed at the Battle of Newbury in 1643.