Princess Diana grew up in the grand Althorp House, a sprawling 13,500-acre estate in Northamptonshire that has been the Spencer family seat for generations. While Diana left a significant inheritance to her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, the majestic family home is not theirs to inherit—and here’s why.

Althorp House is currently owned by Princess Diana’s brother, Earl Charles Spencer, and, following a longstanding aristocratic tradition, the estate will one day pass to his eldest son, Louis Spencer.

Despite having an older sister, Lady Kitty Spencer, Louis is expected to inherit the property under the classic primogeniture rule that favors the eldest male heir. This age-old custom remains common among British nobility, even in the modern day.

The magnificent 90-room mansion and its beautiful grounds open to the public each summer, allowing visitors to glimpse the opulence of the Spencer family home. Earl Charles keeps fans updated with a dedicated Instagram account, sharing photos and stories from the estate.

Inside Althorp: A Glimpse of Grandeur

Among Althorp’s many highlights is its stunning library, a decadent space featuring wooden floors adorned with large patterned rugs, cream walls lined with endless shelves of books, and plush red armchairs and sofas. Elegant chandeliers hang from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the stately room.

The house also boasts multiple dining rooms—perfect for lavish dinner parties—and an exquisite picture gallery filled with fine artworks from around the world, underscoring the estate’s rich heritage.

The Spencer Family Today

Earl Charles Spencer lives at Althorp with his partner, Cat Jarman, and shares his youngest daughter with his ex-wife Karen Spencer. Previously married to Caroline Freud, Earl Charles has two children from that union: Edmund and Lara.

From his first marriage to Victoria Lockwood, he is also father to four children: Lady Kitty, Lady Eliza, Lady Amelia, and Louis Spencer—the heir apparent to Althorp.

While Princes William and Harry inherit much of their mother’s legacy, the historic laws governing Althorp ensure that the estate remains firmly within the Spencer family line, preserving a centuries-old tradition that continues to shape the aristocratic world today.