Princess Diana’s Brother, Charles Spencer, Posts Very Rare Pic of His Grandmother with the Queen

We're well aware by now that the connection between the royal family and the Spencers goes back way further than the day Princess Diana and Prince Charles met. And much of this is thanks to the slices of history that Princess Diana's brother, Charles Spencer, shares to Instagram.

The 9th Earl Spencer is quite the history buff, having studied Modern History at Magdalen College, Oxford, and then having published multiple bestselling historical novels. Due to his research into his family's past, the earl often comes across notable photos, and his latest find is a snap that captured a moment between his grandmother, Cynthia Spencer, and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

Spencer explained the context of the photo in his caption, where he said, “King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visiting No. 617 Squadron in May 1943, a few days after its Lancaster bombers pulled off the stunningly daring raid that would leave the squadron immortalized as “the Dam Busters.” He then pointed out his grandmother in the photo, adding, “The lady in the dark dress in mid-frame is my grandmother, Cynthia Spencer, who was a courtier attending the Queen that day. #thedambusters.”

This is certainly not the first time the earl has pointed out the connection between these two families.

Last spring, Spencer shared a shot of his grandfather, Albert Spencer, showing Queen Elizabeth's grandmother, Queen Mary, around Sulgrave Manor. In his caption, he said, “My grandfather showing Queen Mary round Sulgrave Manor - Northamptonshire home to George Washington’s forebears. Rather a stiff official photographic record of the day - hopefully they both enjoyed it all, rather more than their faces suggest.... #georgewashington #queensofengland #spencerfamily.”