Diana's mom dies in Scotland

2004-06-03 20:51

London - Frances Shand Kydd, the mother of the late Princess Diana, died on Thursday at her home in Scotland, said her family.

Shand Kydd, 68, was admitted to hospital near her home on the Argyll coast several days ago.

She died at her home near Oban in Scotland, said Canon Donald MacKay, a Roman Catholic priest who said he was with her when she died.

The death was also confirmed by a spokesman for her son, Earl Spencer.

"I can confirm that Lord Spencer's mother passed away peacefully this morning, after suffering from a long illness, and this is now a private time for the family to grieve," said a statement issued by Spencer's office.

Shand Kydd's health had been failing in recent months and the grandmother of Princes William and Harry had been taken from her home on Seil Island, where she led a reclusive life, to a hospital in Oban a number of times.

'Treat everyone the same' philosophy

Buckingham Palace said Queen Elizabeth II has sent a private message of condolence to Earl Spencer.

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Argyll and the Isles, the Right Rev Ian Murray, said Shand Kydd was a "deeply spiritual woman".

"She once said her father had taught her to treat everyone the same, whether they came from 'castle, cottage or caravan.'

"That was a lesson she lived out very well, and many people, from all walks of life, will be saddened by her passing," said Murray.

She was born Frances Ruth Burke Roche, daughter of the Fourth Baron Fermoy.

Her mother, Lady Ruth Fermoy, was a confidante and lady in waiting to the late Queen Mother, and was later said to have had a hand in promoting Diana's marriage to Charles.

Shand Kydd married Edward John Spencer, 12 years her senior, in 1954 at Westminster Abbey. They had three daughters - Diana was the youngest - and a son.

Unhappy and unstable childhood

The marriage foundered in 1967 when she fell in love with Peter Shand Kydd, a married wallpaper heir, and the couple divorced in 1969. Shand Kydd remarried in 1969 when the future princess was aged six.

Diana stayed with her father after the split and, decades later, she told Andrew Morton, author of the 1992 book, Diana, Her True Story that her childhood was very unhappy and unstable.

Shand Kydd acknowledged she sometimes had a turbulent relationship with her famous daughter.

Shand Kydd is survived by her son, Earl Spencer, and daughters, Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McQuorquodale. Her stepson, Adam Shand Kydd, 49, died of an overdose of sleeping pills in Cambodia in April.

- AP