Prince William and Prince Harry will not be inheriting their late mother Princess Diana’s childhood home.
While the Princess of Wales left behind many possessions when she died in 1997, her Althorp property in Northamptonshire, was not one of them.
The sprawling estate, which served as the backdrop for much of Diana’s childhood, has belonged to the Spencer family since 1508, the New York Post reports.
The late royal’s father settled there in 1975 after becoming Earl Spencer.
To date, the lavish home belongs to the current Earl Spencer, Diana’s brother Charles.
And once he dies, his son Louis, Viscount Althorp, will inherit the estate — meaning the ownership of the property will not reach the Prince of Wales, 43, or Duke of Sussex, 40.
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Prince William and Prince Harry will not be inheriting their late mother Princess Diana’s childhood home. Picture: Getty Images
The Princess of Wales died in a Paris car crash in 1997 at age 36. Picture: Getty Images
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Althorp served as the backdrop for much of Diana’s childhood. Picture: Getty Images
The Spencer dynamic was thrown for a loop with the property, as Louis will be the next owner despite the fact that he has three older sisters.
According to a years-long tradition of the Spencer family observing primogeniture, Lady Kitty, Lady Eliza, and Lady Amelia will not be inheriting the estate.
Speaking in 2015 about the unwritten rule, Charles said that while he’s “totally relaxed” about Kitty inheriting the estate, he did note that “it would be against all tradition.”
“It’s just the way it is,” he told the Daily Mail at the time. “I get the problems with it as a concept. I also get the strengths of it, having worked to date.”
Later that year, Kitty said that while she’s “totally pro-gender equality,” she’s “quite happy” with the property becoming her younger brother’s “responsibility.”
“I just think it’s the correct way,” she told Tatler. “I like that the house stays within the same family, with the same surname.
“I wouldn’t want it any other way for the Spencers. And I just know my brother is going to do an impeccable job.”
The property has belonged to the Spencer family since 1508. Picture: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images
To date, the lavish home belongs to the current Earl Spencer, Diana’s brother Charles. Picture: Getty Images for Invictus Games Foundation
The estate holds a significant meaning for the Spencer family, as it’s also Diana’s final resting place.
The late princess is buried on a small island in the middle of its Oval Lake — which is not accessible to the public.
Speaking about the chosen location, the beloved royal’s brother previously said that the lake acts “as a buffer against the interventions of the insane and ghoulish, the thick mud presenting a further line of defence.”
The secluded location also means that William and Harry are able to visit their late mother’s resting place without the fear of being seen.
“It is, luckily, very tranquil here, and [William and Harry] can come and go as they wish whenever they want. And that’s very lovely for me to know that,” he added.
The Earl’s son, Louis, will be the next owner of Althorp — despite the fact that he has three older sisters. Picture: etty Images
The estate holds a significant meaning for the Spencer family, as it’s also Diana’s final resting place. Picture: Getty Images
In his 2023 memoir, “Spare,” Harry opened up about visiting Diana’s memorial with his wife, Meghan Markle.
The Sussexes ventured out to Althorp to pay their respects to the late royal on the 25th anniversary of her death in August 2022.
The Invictus Games founder said the duo took a boat across the lake and “gazed around at Althorp’s rolling fields and ancient trees, the thousands of green acres where my mother grew up, and where, though things weren’t perfect, she’d known some peace.”
“At long last, I was bringing the girl of my dreams home to meet mum,” he added.
Parts of this story first appeared in the New York Post and was republished with permission.
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