Georgiana Spencer

Who was Princess Diana’s ancestor, Georgiana Spencer? The vivacious society figure who inspired 'The Duchess' film

She was the charming and beautiful Georgian noblewoman immortalised by Keira Knightley in the 2008 film, The Duchess, and the great-great-great-great aunt of Diana, Princess of Wales. So, who exactly was the real Georgiana Spencer, the Duchess of Devonshire? Here’s everything you need to know.

Early life

Born in 1757 at Althorp House, Georgiana Spencer (nicknamed Gee) was the first child of John Spencer, who later became the 1st Earl Spencer, and his wife Georgiana, later, Countess Spencer. She had two younger siblings, Henrietta and George.

Her father was the great-grandson of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough and came from a wealthy English noble family. He built Spencer House, the family’s grand St James’ residence, where the family stayed when in London.

When her father assumed the title of Viscount Althorp in 1761, she became The Honourable Georgiana Spencer. In 1765, her father became Earl Spencer, and she Lady Georgiana Spencer.

Marriage to William Cavendish, the Duke of Devonshire

On her 17th birthday, Lady Georgiana Spencer married one of society’s most eligible bachelors, William Cavendish, the 5th Duke of Devonshire, who was eight years her senior.

While William came from one of the most powerful and wealthy society families, it’s thought that the match was not an entirely amicable one.

William was reportedly very reserved and not hugely affectionate nor did he enjoy socialising. Georgiana on the other hand embraced her new role as the Duchess of Devonshire and indulged in her love for fashion, inspiring the Georgian era’s trend for elaborate, tall hairstyles. She became known for her fashionable style, beauty and hostessing skills, loving nothing better than throwing fabulous parties and balls.

Among her closest acquaintances were some of the most influential figures of her time, including the Prince of Wales (later King George IV); Marie Antoinette of France and Charles Grey (later Earl Grey and British Prime Minister). Newspapers chronicled her every appearance and activity.

Meanwhile, her husband would be notably absent at gatherings, often preferring to spend nights at his gentleman’s club, Brooks's, playing cards.

Before he wed, the Duke had fathered an illegitimate daughter and after his marriage to Georgiana, he pursued a number of extra marital affairs especially after his wife suffered from multiple miscarriages.

Despite a seemingly loveless marriage, Georgiana enthusiastically embraced her husband’s politics and although women could not vote, she became a central advocate for the Whig Party.

Romantic affairs

While her husband took lovers, Georgiana was also said to have had a number of acquaintances, including what was known at the time as 'romantic female friendships' that went beyond conventional relationships between women of the period.

It’s thought that Georgiana’s first romantic crush was on the much admired Mary Graham, who she met in 1777. The Duchess’s letters to Mary that year reveal her depth of her feelings:

'You must know how tenderly I love you … I am falling asleep and must leave you now, but I want to say to you above all that I love you, my dear friend, and kiss you tenderly.'

Georgiana’s infatuation with Mary Graham ended in 1782 when, visiting Bath with her husband, she was introduced to Lady Elizabeth Foster (known as Bess). Bess was estranged from her husband and facing financial ruin. Georgiana and Bess became very close and the Duchess invited Bess to live with her and her husband.

The relationship between the three of them ended up turning into something rather polyamorous. Bess became the Duke’s mistress, one that lasted 25 years. During that time Bess and the Duke had two illegitimate children.

However, Georgiana’s own feelings for Bess continued and letters to her show affection despite the fact that she was very aware that Bess was having an affair with her husband:

'My dear Bess, Do you hear the voice of my heart crying to you? Do you feel what it is for me to be separated from you? … Oh Bess, every sensation I feel but heightens my adoration of you.'

Children

Despite her unhappiness with her husband and marriage breakdown, the Duchess wasn't socially permitted to take a lover without producing an heir.

The first successful pregnancy resulted in the birth of Lady Georgiana Dorothy Cavendish on 12 July 1783. Another daughter, Lady Harriet Elizabeth Cavendish was born in 1785.

Finally, in 1790, the Duchess gave birth to a male heir to the dukedom: William George Spencer Cavendish, who took the title of Marquess of Hartington at birth. With the arrival of a son, the Duchess was now able to take a lover.

Georgiana is said to have begun an affair in 1791 with Charles Grey (later Earl Grey), who was considered one of the greatest romances of her life. That same year she discovered she was carrying his child.

The Duke gave her the ultimatum to give up her lover and child, or face never seeing her existing three children again. Sent off to France, the Duchess believed she would die in childbirth and wrote letter to her recently born son stating:

'As soon as you are old enough to understand this letter, it will be given to you. It contains the only present I can make you--my blessing, written in my blood... Alas, I am gone before you could know me, but I lov'd you, I nurs'd you nine months at my breast. I love you dearly.'

In February 1792, Eliza Courtney was born without complications. However, the Duchess was forced to give away her daughter to Grey’s family and remain in exile. In letters to her children she wrote, 'This year has been the most painful of my life.'

After being absent for two years, the Duke allowed her return to the UK and in the autumn of 1793 she arrived in England to live a quiet life in Chatsworth House. Georgiana died on 30 March, 1806 from a liver complaint.

After her death, the Duke reportedly showed emotion not seen throughout their marriage. At the time, a contemporary wrote, 'The Duke has been most deeply affected and has shown more feeling than anyone thought possible - indeed every individual in the family are in a dreadful state of affliction.'

Not long after her death, the Duke married Lady Elizabeth Foster, who became Duchess of Devonshire as his second wife.

Source ~ https://www.tatler.com/.../who-was-georgiana-spencer...