Cynthia Spencer, Countess Spencer

Cynthia Ellinor Beatrix Spencer, Countess Spencer DCVO OBE (born Lady Cynthia Hamilton; 16 August 1897 – 4 December 1972) was a British peeress and the paternal grandmother of Diana, Princess of Wales.

She was the daughter of James Hamilton, Marquess of Hamilton, later 3rd Duke of Abercorn (30 November 1869 – 12 September 1953) and Lady Rosalind Cecilia Caroline Bingham (26 February 1869 – 18 January 1958). Her maternal grandparents were Charles Bingham, 4th Earl of Lucan and Lady Cecilia Catherine Gordon-Lennox, a daughter of Charles Gordon-Lennox, 5th Duke of Richmond and Lady Caroline Paget.

Cynthia Hamilton married Viscount Althorp on 26 February 1919 at St. James's, Piccadilly, London.

They had two children:

• Lady Anne Spencer (born 4 August 1920) who married Christopher Balwin Hughes Wake-Walker, a Captain in the Royal Navy.
• Edward John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer (24 January 1924 – 29 March 1992).

Countess Spencer was appointed a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth in 1937. She continued in the role after Elizabeth became Queen Mother in 1952, and remained in post until her death.

She was the grandmother of Diana, Princess of Wales. Lady Spencer died at the Spencers' ancestral home, Althorp of a brain tumour, aged 75. She was little known outside court and local circles until, twenty years after her death, Andrew Morton wrote that the Princess of Wales "believes that her grandmother looks after her in the spirit world."

Titles and styles

• 16 August 1897 – 26 February 1919: Lady Cynthia Hamilton
• 26 February 1919 – 26 September 1922: Viscountess Althorp
• 26 September 1922 – 4 December 1972: The Right Honourable Cynthia Spencer, Countess Spencer

Honours

• 4 June 1943: Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE)
• 1 June 1953: Dame Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (DCVO)

• The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 36035. p. 2494. 4 June 1943.
• The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 39863. p. 2946. 1 June 1953.