When you watch Netflix's historical drama The Crown, keeping track of the intricate web of aristocratic relatives can be difficult. One figure who shapes the royal narrative behind the scenes is Princess Diana’s maternal grandmother, Ruth Roche, Baroness Fermoy.
The competitor page gets several historical and casting facts completely wrong—confusing Diana's grandmother with her mother and misidentifying the actress. In reality, Baroness Fermoy was played by veteran British actress Georgie Glen in the fourth and fifth seasons of The Crown.
This breakdown untangles the real history, the actress who portrayed her, and how her character fits into the wider family tree depicted on screen.
Who Was Lady Fermoy in Real Life?
Born Ruth Sylvia Gill, Baroness Fermoy (1908–1993) was a formidable figure in British high society and a close confidante and lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. Her connection to the royal family ran deep long before Princess Diana entered the picture. For another perspective on this event, see the latest update from Reuters.
Lady Fermoy married Maurice Roche, 4th Baron Fermoy, in 1931. Together, they had four children, including Frances Ruth Roche—who would become Diana's mother.
The Real Relationship with the Queen Mother
For decades, rumors persisted in British tabloids that Lady Fermoy played a matchmaking role in engineering the marriage between her granddaughter, Lady Diana Spencer, and Prince Charles. However, historians and biographers have noted that Lady Fermoy was actually quite cautious about the match. Knowing the immense pressures and protocol of the Windsor family firsthand, she reportedly warned Diana that the lifestyle might not suit her.
Despite these warnings, the marriage proceeded in 1981. Lady Fermoy passed away in July 1993, a year after Charles and Diana formally separated.
Georgie Glen: The Actress Who Played Baroness Fermoy
Bringing an aristocratic matriarch to life requires an actor with immense stage presence and understated authority. Georgie Glen stepped into the role for The Crown, appearing across Seasons 4 and 5.
Georgie Glen is a familiar face to British television and film audiences, with a career spanning decades across major prestige dramas.
- Television Work: Glen is widely recognized for her television roles, including playing Audrey McFall in the BBC midwifery drama Call the Midwife, Mrs. Higgins in Waterloo Road, and appearances in Les Misérables and The Bill.
- Film Appearances: Her film credits include notable period pieces and dramas such as The Iron Lady, My Week with Marilyn, and Les Misérables.
- Performance Style: In The Crown, Glen captures the stoic, traditional demeanor of the post-war British aristocracy. Her scenes often involve quiet admonishments or offering conservative counsel to younger family members, emphasizing the generational clash between old-world duty and modern emotional expression.
Untangling the Family Tree in The Crown
Viewers often confuse the various maternal and paternal figures appearing in Diana's backstory on the show. Here is a clear breakdown of the key family members and how they fit together:
- Maternal Grandmother (Lady Fermoy): Played by Georgie Glen. She was the influential mother of Frances Shand Kydd and a close friend to the Queen Mother.
- Mother (Frances Shand Kydd): Diana's mother, who married John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer, in 1954. Their marriage ended in a bitter divorce in 1969, which heavily impacted Diana's childhood.
- Father (John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer): The father who raised Diana and her siblings at Althorp after their mother departed.
- Maternal Grandfather (Maurice Roche, 4th Baron Fermoy): An MP and member of the peerage who died in 1955 before Diana rose to global prominence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Lady Fermoy approve of Princess Diana's marriage to Prince Charles?
Historical accounts suggest she had reservations. Having spent decades serving the royal household, Lady Fermoy understood the intense constraints and scrutiny of royal life and worried that young Diana was unprepared for the reality of marrying the heir to the throne.
In which seasons of The Crown does Baroness Fermoy appear?
Georgie Glen appears as Lady Fermoy starting in Season 4, as the narrative shifts toward the courtship and marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, continuing into Season 5 during the breakdown of their marriage.
Who played Princess Diana's mother in The Crown?
Actress Emma Corrin portrayed Diana herself in Season 4, while actress Elizabeth Debicki took over the role for Seasons 5 and 6. Diana's mother, Frances Shand Kydd, was portrayed by actress Shelly Conn in the series.
Where else can I watch Georgie Glen?
Beyond The Crown, you can see Georgie Glen playing series regular Audrey McFall in Call the Midwife, streaming on platforms like BBC iPlayer and PBS Masterpiece depending on your region.
