Lady Kitty Spencer has offered a rare glimpse into her family life, sharing a collection of sun-soaked photographs from a luxurious summer escape in the French Riviera with her husband, businessman Michael Lewis, and their young daughter Athena.
The 35-year-old daughter of Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, posted a carousel of 20 photographs and videos documenting her time aboard Maison Mytheresa’s exclusive superyacht, as well as moments spent with her family and friends.
The glamorous getaway took place as renewed attention surrounded the Spencer family following the publication of her father’s memoir and its claims concerning the Royal Family in the aftermath of Princess Diana’s death.
A Rare Appearance With Michael Lewis
Among the photographs was an unusually personal image of Kitty with her husband, Michael Lewis, 67, whom she married in Italy in 2021.
The couple have generally kept their relationship away from the spotlight.
Kitty rarely features Lewis on her social media accounts and has frequently attended public and fashion events without him.
They first met through mutual friends in 2018 before Lewis proposed shortly before Christmas 2019.
Their engagement was publicly confirmed in January 2020, with their wedding eventually taking place after pandemic-related delays.
Their lavish three-day celebrations were held at an Italian country mansion and attracted a number of high-profile guests, including singer Pixie Lott and the Marchioness of Bath.
Daughter Athena Makes a Rare Appearance
Kitty also gave followers an unusual look at her daughter Athena, who was born in 2023.
The couple kept the arrival private before announcing it the following year on Mother’s Day.
At the time, Kitty shared a photograph of herself holding her baby on a beach and described motherhood as the joy of her life.
In the new collection, Athena can be seen enjoying the clear Mediterranean water, relaxing in a hammock overlooking the sea and spending time with her mother aboard the yacht.
Other photographs show the mother and daughter enjoying tennis, taking part in a water ring toss game and relaxing together during their travels.
Life Aboard a €600,000-a-Week Yacht
Much of the holiday unfolded aboard Maison Mytheresa’s superyacht, which travelled between Monaco and Saint-Tropez during June.
The invitation-only vessel features bespoke suites, eight cabins and a large swimming pool.
Its reported price is an eye-catching €600,000 per week, placing it firmly in the luxury travel category.
Kitty appeared to embrace the setting, posing beside the water in a purple mini dress and sunglasses and later modelling a striking red-and-white striped dress by designer Silvia Tcherassi.
She was also pictured with Carla Ballerio Greggio, creative director of interior design studio Sabrina Monte-Carlo.
Fashion Remains Central to Kitty’s Public Image
The French Riviera photographs also highlighted Kitty’s longstanding connection with the fashion industry.
The model has established an international profile through her work with Dolce & Gabbana and appearances at fashion weeks around the world.
The Italian fashion house also created the wardrobe for her wedding celebrations.
Kitty wore five Dolce & Gabbana haute couture looks during the three-day wedding festivities.
Her bridal gown featured Victorian-inspired lace, a high neckline, structured bodice and dramatic puffed sleeves.
She subsequently wore a blue tulle gown with a corseted bodice and embroidered cape, a floral silk ballgown and a sparkling beaded cocktail dress before choosing an emerald silk gown decorated with sequins and floral detailing for the final day.
Michael Lewis and His Business Empire
Lewis, who is 32 years older than Kitty, is chairman of South African retail giant Foschini Group, the company behind British brands including Whistles and Phase Eight.
His family has longstanding links to the retail industry.
His grandfather established a furniture retail business in the 1930s, while his father, Stanley Lewis, acquired a stake in Foschini Group in the 1980s.
Michael later joined the company’s board and became chairman in 2015.
His wealth has been widely estimated at around £80 million, while he is also reported to own a substantial London property and a home in South Africa.
Before marrying Kitty, Lewis had been married and had three children.
His relationship with the Spencer family member subsequently attracted considerable public interest because of their substantial age difference.
Kitty’s Connection to the Royal Family
As the daughter of Earl Spencer and niece of Princess Diana, Kitty remains closely connected to the British royal family.
She is a first cousin of Prince William and Prince Harry, making her daughter Athena a second cousin of their children, including Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Despite her family connections, Kitty has largely built her own public profile through modelling and fashion rather than royal duties.
A Childhood Split Between England and South Africa
Kitty was born on December 28, 1990, at St Mary’s Hospital in London.
In 1995, she and her siblings moved to Constantia, South Africa, with their mother, Victoria Lockwood, following the intense media attention surrounding their family.
Her parents divorced in 1997, after which Kitty and her siblings continued to live with their mother in Cape Town.
She has previously recalled a childhood that included camping trips to the Cederberg mountains, where the family spent time away from modern conveniences.
She also maintained a relationship with her father and spent periods at Althorp, the Spencer family’s ancestral estate.
Kitty has twin sisters, Lady Eliza and Lady Amelia, and a brother, Louis, as well as half-siblings from both sides of her family.
A Personal Memory of Princess Diana
Kitty has previously spoken publicly about her memories of her aunt, Princess Diana, who died when Kitty was six.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, she acknowledged that she was very young when Diana was alive and therefore remembers only a limited number of moments.
She nevertheless described those memories as special and happy, reflecting the personal connection she continues to associate with her late aunt.
A Glimpse Behind the Public Image
The Riviera photographs offered an unusually intimate view of a side of Kitty’s life that is normally kept away from social media.
Alongside the designer clothing, luxury yacht and Mediterranean scenery were quieter family moments involving her husband and young daughter, giving followers a rare look at the private world behind one of Britain’s most recognisable aristocratic fashion figures.
