After her education at schools in Southern England and in Switzerland, she trained as a nanny and undertook modelling work.

[1] Hanley's grandmother was a photographer who, as Studio Lisa, had privileged access to the royal family, photographing both Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret in relaxed, family poses and the next generation, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward in informal shots.

She also helped to launch the career of a male model who later became an actor, Roger Moore.

[citation needed] Her brother, Sir Jeremy Hanley, had a career as an accountant and later became a Conservative Party MP.

[6][7] In 1980, Hanley stepped in to co-present one edition of Saturday Night at the Mill following the dismissal after just five shows of Arianna Huffington.