Lady Delia Peel

Lady Adelaide "Delia" Margaret Peel (née Spencer) was born on 26 June 1889 in London. She was the eldest child of the 6th Earl Spencer and Hon. Margaret Baring, daughter of Edward Baring, 1st Baron Revelstoke. Her mother died during childbirth in 1906, coinciding with the birth of her sister, Lady Margaret Douglas-Home.

Delia Spencer pursued studies at the Royal College of Music, where she played the piano and cello. In 1914, she married the Hon. Sidney Peel at Althorp. Sidney Peel was the third son of Arthur Peel, 1st Viscount Peel, who served as Speaker of the House of Commons, and was a grandson of Sir Robert Peel, the former Prime Minister. As a wedding gift, her father presented her with a tiara adorned with 800 diamonds.

The couple did not have biological children. However, Delia Peel adopted her husband's nephew, David, after his father, Hon. Maurice Berkeley Peel, was killed during World War I in 1917. David later served in World War II as a member of the Irish Guards and was killed during the conflict.

Following her husband's death in 1938, Delia Peel became Woman of the Bedchamber, serving as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth from 1939 until 1952. She was actively involved in community and charitable organizations, including the Girl Guides, the Women's Institute, and local choir associations.

Her honors include being appointed Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in the 1947 Birthday Honours. She was elevated to Dame Commander of the same order (DCVO) in 1950.

Lady Peel died on 16 January 1981 at the age of 91 at her residence in Barton Turf, Norfolk. In 1984, Priscilla Napier published a biography titled "A Memoir of the Lady Delia Peel, born Spencer, 1889–1981," detailing her life.