Daughter of Henry VIII by Rosemary Churchill

There even happened to be another Lady Diana Spencer in the family in the mid-18th century. And Sarah Jennings Churchill, the Duchess of Marlborough (who was linked to the Spencer family through her daughter, who married Charles Spencer the third Earl of Sunderland) was the richest woman in England at one point during the 18th century, and famous for being Queen Anne’s confidante.

On a more serious note, the Third Baron Spencer, Henry, helped fund Charles I’s army during the English Civil War, and died in battle during a clash at Newbury. Queen Victoria once said the fourth Earl Spencer, Frederick, (1798-1857), had the best legs she’d ever seen on a man, according to The Spencers: A Personal History of an English Family, written by Diana’s journalist brother Charles. The family was there for the royals during good times and bad. Theatrical boughs: Humphrey Bogart and Lillian Gish. Scholarly limbs include Historian Henry Adams, Philosopher Bertrand Russell and Lexicographer Noah Webster. Sir Winston Churchill (middle name: Spencer) is a cousin, as is former Prime Minister Sir Alec Douglas-Home.

George Washington is an eighth cousin seven times removed, and through the wife of an eccentric American great-great-grandfather, Diana is related to Presidents John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Calvin Coolidge, Millard Fillmore, Rutherford B. Others of Diana’s kinsmen made their mark in worldly affairs, many as great statesmen. In short, while Diana’s blood may run blue, even purple, scarlet women and black sheep have added to its color… The fourth royal paramour, Arabella, daughter of the first Sir Winston Churchill, was a favorite of James II (1633-1701) and bore him a daughter. Three dallied with Charles II (1630-85), a compulsive philanderer whose amorous activities produced more than a quarter of the 26 dukedoms in Great Britain and Ireland. Four of her ancestors were mistresses to English Kings. All of it flowing from illegitimate unions. She has more English royal blood in her veins than does Prince Charles, her 16th cousin once removed.

Daughter of Henry VIII by Rosemary Churchill