Background
Born into the aristocratic Spencer family in London in 1906, she was the sixth and youngest child of Charles Spencer, 6th Earl Spencer, and Margaret Baring (1868–1906), daughter of the first Lord Revelstoke, a banker.
Born into the aristocratic Spencer family in London in 1906, she was the sixth and youngest child of Charles Spencer, 6th Earl Spencer, and Margaret Baring (1868–1906), daughter of the first Lord Revelstoke, a banker.
Lady Margaret was educated at home under a governess, although she spent some time at Northampton Secondary School for Girls attending events such as concerts at Albert Hall.
She founded the Burnham Market Festival and served as its director for almost two decades. Her godmother was Queen Alexandra. Her youth was spent at Althorp and at Spencer House.
After her father"s death in 1922, Lady Margaret studied French and music in Paris.
She then accompanied Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone to South Africa as her lady-in-waiting before resuming her music studies in Vienna. She also studied at the Royal College of Music in London, where she later became a trustee.
Lady Margaret worked in the publications section of the National Gallery in 1941 and as a lady-in-waiting to Princess Alexandra in the 1950s. She also purchased and ran an antiques business in Burnham Market, Norfolk.
In 1974, she founded Burnham Market Festival, which was originally a series of concerts, poetry readings and theatrical productions.
She continued as festival director until 1992. Her autobiography, A Spencer Childhood, was published in 1994.