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Lady Amelia and Eliza Spencer take Hong Kong: Princess Diana’s twin model nieces talk romance, royalty and life in Cape Town while in town for Sauvereign x Studio Putman – exclusive interview

Princess Diana’s twin model nieces Lady Amelia and Lady Eliza Spencer talk about their trip to Hong Kong and Sauvereign x Studio Putman launch – exclusive interview. Photo: Handout
It’s not every day that Hong Kong welcomes a member of the British royals, but last week the city played host to not one but two blue-blooded members of the prestigious family.
Lady Amelia and Lady Eliza Spencer in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout
Lady Amelia and Lady Eliza Spencer –nieces of the late Princess Diana – were in town to celebrate the launch of “Dualités: Mosaic of Details”, an exhibition presented by Sauvereign and Studio Putman. “We are very excited to be here [for] our first visit to Hong Kong,” Eliza told Style as we sat down to an exclusive interview.
From left, Olivia Putman, Bertrand Mak, Lady Amelia and Lady Eliza Spencer in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout

Both working models, the 30-year-old identical twins were invited as guests of honour for the new collection’s launch. A collaboration between Bertrand Mak’s Hong Kong-born art and luxury house Sauvereign, and Olivia Putman’s French design studio, it promises a mix of “avant-garde, sculptural furniture” and “wearable objects” – and the royal fashionistas were suitably enthusiastic.

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Rikko Lee with Lady Amelia and Eliza Spencer at the Sauvereign x Studio Putman dinner on May 25 at the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong. Photo: @rikkolee/Instagram

Business first: the big launch

“[The collection includes] timeless pieces that can be passed down through generations,” Amelia tells us. “When we heard about the collaboration with Studio Putman we really wanted to attend the launch and support Sauvereign as Hong Kong’s first luxury maison.”

Rikko Lee with Lady Amelia and Eliza Spencer at the Sauvereign x Studio Putman dinner on May 25 at the Ritz-Carlton hotel, Hong Kong. Photo: @rikkolee/Instagram
The pair rubbed shoulders at Thursday’s launch with Hong Kong style mavens including star of 2022’s Anita, Louise Wong, and popular ViuTV host Rikko Lee. Both were naturally dripping in stunning legacy gems and shoes from the Sauvereign collection, when they turned out at the unlikely launch location of Elements mall in Kowloon.
Louise Wong with Lady Amelia and Eliza Spencer at the Sauvereign x Studio Putman event on May 25 in Elements, Hong Kong. Photo: @l_for_louise/Instagram

Everyone was quick to pick a favourite piece. “The wall mirror is also stunning! And we love the one-of-a-kind unique piece – it’s breathtaking with over 480 pieces of 24-carat gradient blue sapphire,” raved Amelia about one of the exhibition’s signature pieces.

Fashion forward

Embodying their fashion flair, Amelia radiated allure in a body-hugging Michael Kors minidress, while Eliza exuded sophistication in a striking black piece from Del Core. They later changed into similarly stylish looks for dinner at the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, with guests including Miss Hong Kong 2020 runner-up Celina Harto.

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Throwback: Lady Eliza Spencer and Lady Amelia Spencer at a Dior Beauty event in Düsseldorf, Germany, in September 2021. Photo: @elizavspencer/Instagram
As sought-after models signed with London-based Storm Models (the same agency as Cindy Crawford and Behati Prinsloo), the Spencers have become luxury fashion fixtures, following in the footsteps of their older sister Kitty. The twins are regularly spotted jet-setting across the globe, from Barcelona to New York, working with brands including Dior, Versace, Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors and Chaumet. “We feel so extremely lucky to be able to travel together and experience different cultures, customs and beliefs,” quips Eliza.
Lady Amelia Spencer and Lady Eliza in Alberta Ferretti at Cannes Film Festival in May 2022, at Hotel Martinez. Photo: @elizavspencer/Instagram

Known for their sartorial prowess, the pair don head-turning looks wherever they go. So what is the secret to their consistent wardrobe success? Amelia says it’s all about developing your own style. “Don’t try to copy others, but find what works for you and make it your own,” she tells us. Eliza, meanwhile, keeps up with fashion trends but says not to follow them all. “Choose the ones that work for you and incorporate them into your personal style,” she shares.

Eliza Spencer and Amelia Spencer with Mia Regan at a Longchamp event in October 2022. Photo: @ameliaspencer15/Instagram

African roots

Despite being linked to the royal family, as the daughters of the Earl of Spencer and model Victoria Aitken, Amelia and Eliza were raised far from the glare of the public eye. Born in London, the aristocrats, who count Prince William and Prince Harry as cousins, moved to South Africa in 1995, worlds away from a traditional British upbringing, to escape the media attention that came with their name.

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Lady Amelia Spencer and Lady Eliza wearing Ralph Lauren, Coach and Chopard in January 2022. Photo: @elizavspencer/Instagram

“Growing up in Cape Town was the most magical childhood we could have wished for,” says Amelia. “We spent most of our time outdoors and in nature.”

Splitting their time between their birthplace and the city in which they were raised, today the duo count both cities as home. “Both [London and Cape Town] are home to us and have their unique qualities and reasons that they have captured our hearts,” says Eliza.

Lady Eliza Spencer and Lady Amelia Spencer in Jimmy Choo in Mayfair in November 2022. Photo: @elizavspencer/Instagram

For those planning a trip to the region, the girls recommend exploring Table Mountain, the area’s vineyards and restaurants, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, the beautiful beaches and historic Robben Island.

Lady Eliza Spencer and Lady Amelia Spencer arriving at the 78th Venice International Film Festival in September 2021 in Venice, Italy. Photo: Getty Images

Hello, Hong Kong

Hong Kong left an indelible impression on the twins, with Amelia describing it as a “completely unique and surreal feeling”.

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“We were blown away by the endless skyscrapers, bustling streets and stunning natural landscapes,” adds Eliza. During their short stay, their itinerary included indulging in an afternoon tea at the W Hong Kong hotel and fulfilling their long-held desire to visit the iconic Peak. “We [were] also excited to experience the lively atmosphere, culture, food, history and the skyline,” says Amelia.

Princess Diana, Lady Eliza and Lady Amelia’s aunt, with former governor Chris Patten in Hong Kong in 1995. Photo: Post Staff Photographer
As a former British colony, Hong Kong has a long history with the British royal family and has previously welcomed the then-Prince Charles (now King Charles), the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Princess Margaret and the twins’ late aunt Princess Diana over the years.
In fact, it was even the childhood home for three Hong Kong women: Alexandra Manley, Marie-Chantal Miller, and her younger sister Alexandra Miller, who all married European princes in 1995.
Lady Amelia and Eliza Spencer take it easy. Photo: @ameliaspencer15/Instagram

For the well-travelled Spencers, Italy and New York stand out as their top destinations so far. “The memories and experiences that we have had, we will cherish forever,” says Amelia.

Lady Amelia Spencer and Greg Mallett on their wedding day in March. Photo: @ameliaspencer15/Instagram

Royal romances

Beyond their professional endeavours, you may also recognise Amelia from shots of her recent wedding which made headlines internationally. Steeped in romance and held at the mesmerising Quoin Rock Manor House in Stellenbosch, South Africa, Amelia wed her long-time love Greg Mallett in March.
Lady Amelia and Lady Eliza with older sister Lady Kitty, left, on Amelia’s wedding day. Photo: @ameliaspencer15/Instagram

“Our wedding was more magical than we could have ever imagined,” Amelia tells us, “The whole day was a dream, something we will treasure in our hearts forever.”

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Lady Eliza Spencer and her boyfriend Channing Millerd. Photo: @elizavspencer/Instagram

Eliza, too, has been in a long-term relationship with Channing Millerd, the COO of Dataledger, a blockchain service provider, with the couple celebrating their seven-year anniversary earlier this year.

With their whirlwind rise in the world of high fashion, and now, arrival on the art scene with this collaboration in Hong Kong, the vivacious socialite sisters continue to make waves.

Amelia emphasises the profound significance of art and design as “expressions of creativity and imagination that have the power to evoke emotions, provoke thoughts and communicate messages”.

The next stop for these glamorous globetrotters? Spain.

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Royalty
  • Twin cousins of Prince Harry and Prince William, Lady Amelia and Lady Eliza Spencer made their first visit to Hong Kong for the launch of the ‘Dualités: Mosaic of Details’ exhibition at Elements mall
  • The duo mingled with Anita actress Louise Wong, ViuTV host Rikko Lee and Miss Hong Kong 2020 runner-up Celina Harto, had afternoon tea at the W Hong Kong and dinner at the Ritz-Carlton