Royals

Why Australia has fallen in love with Princess Diana’s niece, Lady Kitty Spencer

In 1985 Princess Diana came to Australia and celebrated the Melbourne Cup. 30 years later her niece, Lady Kitty Spencer, attended the event.
Lady Kitty Spencer

It didn’t matter that Lady Kitty Spencer was dressed in a stunning Alex Perry dress, that she was adorned with Swarovski crystals or even that she had a place in the prestigious Emirates Tent at this year’s Melbourne Cup, because her dignified elegance, reminiscent of her late Aunt’s, is what won everyone over.

Arriving by helicopter, the 24-year-old daughter of Princess Diana’s brother Earl Spencer stunned as a guest of Emirates and the Victoria Racing Club.

“It’s my first time in Australia,’ she told the Daily Mail. “It’s absolutely incredible, I can’t believe this whole thing is put together every year.”

Prince William’s cousin loves our country so much that she’s changed her travel itinerary. Instead of leaving tonight like she first planned, Kitty has extended her trip another week.

“It’s such a lovely tradition, you come here and see the effort people make and the fun that people are having, I love all the colour – there are so many bold hats and accessories,” she said about the race that stops the nation.

Kitty’s glowing review of the Melbourne Cup isn’t given lightly either – she has attended the prestigious Royal Ascot in England.

Princess Diana at the Melbourne Cup in 1985 (L) & Lady Kitty Spencer at the race this year (R)

“I have attended Royal Ascot in the past, but have been told the Emirates Melbourne Cup is even more fashion focused, and draws an enormous audience on-course,” the former psychology student said in a press release before she visited Down Under.

Lady Kitty at Victoria’s Zoo Healesville Sanctuary.

Lady Kitty embodied exactly what it means to be one of the members of Britain’s high society as she charmed her way through the tent on race day.

Despite her blue blood, $200 million fortune and royal ties, the eldest daughter of the 9th Earl Spencer has given back on her trip to our sunburnt country as she stopped by Healesville Sanctuary, a not-for-profit conservation organisation dedicated to fighting wildlife extinction, to see first-hand the incredible work they’re doing.

Related stories