Lady Eliza Spencer, the 33-year-old niece of the late Princess Diana, has commenced her wedding celebrations with an intimate yet glamorous engagement party in Cape Town, South Africa. The model and socialite marked her forthcoming marriage to businessman Channing Millerd with a sophisticated rooftop gathering attended by fifty of their closest loved ones.
A Radiant Celebration Amidst Family Absences
Eliza, described as every bit the radiant bride-to-be, shared numerous photographs from the event on her Instagram account, documenting what she called "special moments" from the lavish occasion. The Spencer sisters, having grown up in Cape Town, chose this meaningful location for the celebration.
However, one notable family member was conspicuously absent from the festivities. Charles Spencer, Princess Diana's brother and Eliza's father, did not attend the engagement party, continuing a pattern of absence from his daughters' milestone events. The Earl Spencer previously missed both Lady Kitty's 2021 wedding to retail millionaire Michael Lewis and Lady Amelia's 2023 nuptials to lifestyle coach Greg Mallet.
Fashion and Family Moments
Eliza made a stunning appearance in a custom-made white floral appliqué dress by Belarusian designer Galia Lahav, paired with matching satin heels. She proudly displayed her dazzling engagement ring throughout the evening, featuring a 2.5-carat pear-shaped diamond mined in South Africa with a design that pays tribute to her aunt Princess Diana's famous sapphire ring.
Her sisters complemented the celebration with their own fashionable choices. Lady Kitty Spencer, an ambassador for Dolce & Gabbana, wore a maximalist co-ord set from the Italian luxury label, while twin sister Lady Amelia selected a sage green Zimmerman dress for the occasion.
The photographs captured numerous heartfelt family moments, including Eliza dancing in her fiancé's arms, tender interactions with her half-brother Samuel Aitken, and group shots with her mother, former model Victoria Aitken. Channing Millerd appeared completely at ease with the Spencer family, photographed in candid poses with his future sisters-in-law.
The Proposal and Relationship Background
The engagement itself occurred during a romantic sunset proposal in Santorini last July, after nearly a decade of dating. Channing Millerd, a 34-year-old tech executive, got down on one knee during what Eliza described to Tatler magazine as a "dream come true" moment overlooking the sea.
"I laughed and I cried," Eliza recalled of the proposal. "I don't know how he pulled it all off, but it was so special. He did the most amazing job - above and beyond."
The couple first met at a dinner party in South Africa, introduced by Amelia's husband Greg. Eliza had reportedly been reluctant to attend but was persuaded by her sister, leading to what has become a nine-year relationship she describes as built on "trust, laughter and shared values."
Ongoing Family Dynamics
The absence of Charles Spencer from his daughters' significant life events has fueled ongoing speculation about family tensions. Sources previously suggested that relationships between the Spencer sisters and their father cooled following his 2011 marriage to his third wife, Karen, from whom he announced a divorce last year.
Despite these apparent strains, the Spencer sisters maintain close relationships with their mother Victoria and have forged strong bonds with their step-siblings and Spencer aunts. At Kitty's wedding, she was walked down the aisle by her brother Louis Spencer, Viscount Althorp, and half-brother Samuel Aitken rather than her father.
Charles Spencer, who regularly documents his life at Althorp House on social media, has remained publicly silent about Eliza's engagement. At the time of Amelia's wedding, he notably posted about birdwatching in his garden rather than commenting on his daughter's nuptials.
Future Wedding Plans
Lady Eliza and Channing Millerd are now actively planning their wedding, with the socialite telling Tatler they will likely opt for a destination ceremony. While Cape Town remains high on their list due to its personal significance, Lake Como is also under consideration as it holds some of the couple's "best memories."
The engagement party photographs attracted warm comments from family members, with Lady Amelia writing "I love these so much! The happiest memories" and Samuel Aitken simply stating "Love this." Channing Millerd expressed his affection with three heart emojis beneath his fiancée's post.
As wedding preparations continue, attention remains on whether Charles Spencer will attend his daughter's nuptials, potentially marking a reconciliation or further highlighting the apparent distance within this prominent family connected to British royalty.
