Princess Diana’s brother Charles Spencer has wowed royal fans across the globe after sharing a rare painting of their late mother Frances Shand Kydd this week in honour of her birthday. And many are saying she looked just like her daughter Diana.
Taking to social media on Wednesday to unveil the portrait, Charles said it would have been his mum’s 85th birthday. However, she sadly passed away in 2004 at the age of 68 following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease and brain cancer.
“My mother – on this, her 85th birthday,” he wrote alongside the image. “She was born in Sandringham, Norfolk, on the very same day that King George V died – in the same parish. She died three days after the 50th anniversary of her marriage to my father. This portrait is to be found in the library at @althorphouse.”
In the portrait the beautiful Frances could be seen glancing sideways with her blonde locks flowing down her neck and to her shoulders, while her big blue eyes gazed to the left. Although many were captivated by her stunning appearance, some couldn’t believe the resemblance she shared with her daughter Princess Diana, who tragically died in 1997 in a car crash in Paris, France.
From her fine features, to her blonde locks and gorgeous blue eyes — it was hard not to see the similarities between the mother and daughter.
“Who Princess Diana inherited her fine boned beauty from, you can see the resemblance. Gorgeous lady,” @Liz_leech wrote on Instagram. While @fabulouslyfabulouspearls added: “Beautiful… just like Diana.” And @princerickyalby said: “Such a beauty… very resembled to Diana”.
Meanwhile, others left messages of love and sympathy for Charles and the family on what was sure to be a difficult day for all.
“This is such a beautiful painting,” @bernitansley said. “Such elegance shining through. How lucky you are to be reminded of your loved ones in such a way. Happy heavenly birthday to your mother!”
“A beautiful painting. Thank you for sharing these precious memories. May she rest in peace,” @margy_girl wrote. And @lindabedford_art added: “Cannot wait to visit, especially to see this portrait when this becomes possible.”
Princess Diana was the fourth of five children of Frances Spencer and John Spencer. Her other siblings include Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Jane Fellowes and John Spencer, who sadly died just 10 hours after he was born.