Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Visit Princess Diana's Childhood Estate with Their Children

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle recently brought their children, Archie (7) and Lilibet (5), to stay at Althorp, the childhood home of Diana, Princess of Wales. The family visited the estate during a European vacation, with photographs shared on Meghan's Instagram account showing the children exploring the grounds. The visit was facilitated by Charles Spencer, Diana's brother, who owns and resides at the property alongside his wife, Cat Jarman.

Details of the Visit

Images posted by Meghan depicted Lilibet walking through Althorp's gardens while holding a small handbag and blanket, with Harry and Archie visible carrying flowers ahead of her. Another photograph showed Meghan relaxing by the estate's pool with the family's Beagle, Mamma Mia. Charles Spencer and his wife appeared in the background of several images. The family's invitation to the property underscores the ongoing connection between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Diana's ancestral home.

Access to Diana's Memorial Site

According to reports, the Sussexes may have visited Diana's burial site, which is situated on an island within the estate's Oval Lake. When Charles Spencer decided to lay his sister to rest at Althorp following her death, he explained the choice was made to protect the grave from public intrusion. "There was such a whipped-up feeling of emotion everywhere that I was very worried about where we could safely bury her," he told the BBC. The burial location provides what Spencer described as an extra "buffer" against public access while remaining available for private family visits.

While Diana's grave itself remains off-limits to the public, a separate memorial on the Althorp grounds allows visitors to pay respects to the late Princess of Wales. Spencer has previously stated that both William and Harry are welcome to visit their mother's burial site whenever they wish, noting the tranquil setting allows them to come and go freely. He emphasized the importance of this access, saying: "I think it's very important for them to be there with her."

Broader European Journey

The Althorp stay was part of a wider European vacation for the family, which also included time in Portugal. The visit marks a notable moment of the younger generation of royals connecting with their grandmother's legacy through the estate where Diana spent her formative years.