Contrary to expectations, Princess Diana’s sons, Princes William and Harry, will not inherit their mother’s childhood home, the Althorp Estate. Instead, Diana’s nephew, Louis Spencer, is slated to inherit this significant piece of royal history.
Louis Spencer, 30, the late Princess’ nephew, is the family member set to receive the property.
The Althorp Estate in Northamptonshire, England, which has been in the Spencer family since 1508, is Princess Diana’s final resting place. The nearly 21-square-mile property features a main house with 90 rooms, a portrait gallery, a lake, and various other structures.
After Princess Diana’s untimely death in a car crash in Paris in 1997, her sons inherited her personal fortune, estimated at about $17.8 million, along with an extensive jewelry collection. However, the Althorp Estate will not follow this inheritance path, instead adhering to the practice of primogeniture.
Diana’s brother, Earl Charles Spencer, has overseen the Althorp Estate since the early 1990s. Earl Spencer’s eldest son, Louis Spencer, Viscount Althorp, is set to become the 10th Earl Spencer and inherit the family estate, even though he has three older sisters.
This inheritance decision aligns with the longstanding tradition of primogeniture, where titles and properties are passed to the eldest male heir. The Spencer family appears committed to maintaining this practice, despite ongoing debates around gender equality.
Louis’ eldest sister, Lady Kitty Spencer, discussed her views on the inheritance arrangement with Town and Country magazine: “Primogeniture can be a tricky topic, because as times are changing, attitudes are as well. We’ve grown up understanding that it’s Louis’ to inherit, and Louis will do an incredible job.”
Unlike his sisters, Louis Spencer has maintained a relatively low public profile. After graduating from the University of Edinburgh, he studied acting at the ArtsEd drama school in Chiswick, London, and reportedly performs under the stage name Louis John Lyons.
According to Sky News, Louis has already started preparing for his future role by attending trustee meetings to acquaint himself with the inheritance process.
Earl Charles Spencer has shared his thoughts on the inheritance decision: “He has been to trustees’ meetings when he can. I don’t want to burden him, it’s a lot. I would be totally relaxed about Kitty inheriting it, but…if I chose Kitty, it would be against all the tradition that goes with Althorp.”
The Althorp Estate holds immense sentimental value for Princes William and Harry as it was their mother’s childhood home and is her final resting place. Princess Diana is buried on an island within a decorative lake on the estate grounds.
Although the princes will not inherit Althorp, they have been active in preserving their mother’s memory and continuing her legacy through various charitable endeavors. The Diana Award, established in 1999, remains a significant part of this work, acknowledging young individuals who create positive change in their communities.
The future of Althorp under Louis Spencer’s stewardship is not yet known. The estate is open to the public for tours, allowing visitors to explore its rich history and pay respects to Princess Diana’s memory. As Louis prepares for this considerable responsibility, he will be charged with preserving not only his family’s heritage but also a crucial part of British history.
The inheritance of Althorp adds a new chapter to the ongoing narrative of Princess Diana’s legacy, illustrating how aristocratic traditions continue to influence the future of historic estates in contemporary Britain. As Louis Spencer prepares to become the future Earl Spencer, he will bear the responsibility of his family’s history and the public’s enduring interest in the “People’s Princess.”
