Portrait of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire by Thomas Gainsborough, between 1785 and 1787
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? Hereâs 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.
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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 familyâs grand St Jamesâ residence, where the family stayed when in London.