Frances Shand Kydd
Frances Ruth Burke-Roche (January 20 1936 - June 3 2004) was the mother of Diana, Princess of Wales. She was born in Sandringham, Norfolk.
She married Johnnie Spencer (later the 8th Earl Spencer) in 1954, however their 15 year marriage was not a happy one. Their first born son died in infancy and the couple became increasingly distant afterwards. They had 5 children: Sarah (1955), Jane (1957), John (1960 - he died after 10 hours), Diana (1961-1997) and Charles (1964). They were divorced in April 1969 and a bitter custody battle ensued over their 5 children. Eventually, Earl Spencer won custody.
In 1969 she caused a minor scandal by running away with newspaper tycoon Paul Shand Kydd and went to live on the remote Scottish Isle of Seil. They separated in 1986. She was well respected on the Island and was known for taking walks and for a love of fishing.
In 2002 she testified at the trial of Diana's former butler Paul Burrell where she was forced to admit that her and Diana had been estranged for several months before Diana's death.
She spent her final years in solitude on Seil and died on June 3 2004 following a long illness.