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Princess Diana‘s brother, Charles Spencer, shares heartbreaking news of an arson attack on a farmhouse in the family’s Althorp House. Before becoming the wife of the then-prince Charles and a member of the prestigious British royal family, the late Princess of Wales lived at Althorp, the Northamptonshire estate she called home since childhood. While the Princess had her years-long stint as a royal bride and mother to the future British monarch, this memorable home of her youth eventually became her final resting place following her death in 1997, at the age of 36.
On Wednesday, May 28, Princess Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, took to social media to announce that this estate, held most sacred by fans of the late People’s Princess, fell into the hands of arsonists and vandals. He shared a series of photos showcasing the ravaged farmhouse and what was left of it after the arson attack. Earl Spencer also expressed relief that no occupants were present in the building at the time of the fire, and thankfully, no casualties. He wrote on X,
“Stunned to learn that one of @AlthorpHouse’s farmhouses- fortunately unoccupied at the time- was apparently burnt down by vandals last night. With thanks to @northantsfire for doing their very best. So very sad that anyone would think this is a fun thing to do.”
Wellwishers Rally Behind the Spensers Following Arson Attack
The Althorp House’s head gamekeeper, Adey Greeno, shared further details about the arson via his X account, condemning the attack on Princess Diana’s childhood abode as “a deliberate act of vandalism.” The gamekeeper disclosed that as a result of the damages caused by the fire, the building would have to be torn down completely for safety reasons. He concluded his post by noting what a sad “world we live in.”
The news of the destruction sparked a flurry of enraged reactions from well-wishers, who turned to social media to sympathize with the Spencers. Via X, broadcaster and author Rev Richard Coles wrote, “That’s awful, sorry to hear it.” BrandLive founder Catherine Runnals also showed her support for the Spensers following the arson attack on Althorp House, writing,
“Evil is spreading everywhere. So happy no one or any animals were occupying the farmhouse. These vandals must be caught and charged accordingly.”
More Than Just a Family Home
The Althorp Estate boasts a 13,000-acre land expanse and represents the official Spencer seat for over 500 years. Following their parents’ divorce, Princess Diana and her siblings, Charles Spencer, Lady Jane Fellowes, and Lady Sarah McCorquodale, resided in the property, which seats the main family mansion, several farmhouses, and the infamous resting place of the late Princess of Wales. This gravesite is located in a private section of the estate inaccessible to members of the public.
However, the family built a memorial to Princess Diana in July 1998, one year after her death. This memorial, known as the “temple,” is located within the Althorp House, attracting tens of thousands of tourists, fans, and well-wishers every year. Notably, neither Princess Diana’s gravesite at Althorp nor the temple was affected by the fire. Hence, while the Spencers’ royal in-laws may reach out in solidarity, albeit privately, an overblown intervention from Diana’s sons, Prince Harry and Prince William, should not be expected.
