SIMPLY DI-VINE
IT’S the regal residence that was ever-present throughout the life of the People's Princess.
Althorp Estate was Princess Diana's childhood home, where she first met a young King Charles, and now hosts her memorial, which thousands visit each year.
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The main residence, a sprawling Grade I listed stately home, is nestled on 13,000 acres in Northamptonshire, which include woodlands, cottages and farms.
It was purchased by Sir John Spencer in 1508 and in recent weeks, the current owner Charles, the 9th Earl Spencer, launched a web series to reveal more about Diana’s time there.
Many have said the vast country house was so luxurious that it could rival a royal residence - so here we take a look inside and explore its past.
Althorp House, which measures 100,000 square feet, has 30 luxurious bedrooms and a number of stunning features.
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The property has a ballroom, a billiard room and an impressive gallery with paintings, including Anthony van Dyck’s 1637 portrait War and Peace.
Notably, in the grand hallway and Painters’ Passage, there are countless portraits and busts.
The Malborough Room, which serves as a formal dining area, seats up to 42 guests and features magnificent portraits and landscapes.
The Great Room, which was used by the second Lord Spencer for political meetings, is now a family dining area and business space - and features artwork and custom-made giltwood mirrors.
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In one of many Spencer family living areas, there are large green and cream floral sofas, a wooden desk with three side tables and three paintings of an individual cow in a vertical row.
The home also has a library that holds 10,000 books and is decorated with several palatial chandeliers, red armchairs and large patterned rugs that cover wooden floors.
Among the many sleeping quarters is The Oak Bedroom, which was where John Spencer secretly married Georgiana Poyntz and was slept in by Sir Winston Churchill.
It features a large oak bed with the letter S embroidered on curtains and bedcoverings to represent the Spencer family name.
Recently, in the Spencers’ new web series, they also revealed a previously-unseen falconry on the grounds, which had been installed for entertainment purposes in 1613.
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Diana's 'happy' place
Prince Diana was born at Park House, near Sandringham, in Norfolk, but for a time was raised at Althorp Estate after her father inherited the residence.
In interviews, she often spoke negatively of her upbringing due to her parents' marital issues, which led to their divorce in 1969.
However, a few positive memories of Diana's time there have emerged including her practising tap dancing moves on the stately home’s Italian marble floors.
It was also said that the late Princesses' favourite room was the grand King William bedroom, where she regularly slept.
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Previously former Althorp cook Betty Andrews told the BBC: “Looking back, it was probably the happiest time of her life.”
Althorp was also the location where Diana first met the then-Prince Charles, when he visited the estate for a pheasant shoot in November 1977.
During an interview after their engagement, he recalled noting she was a “very jolly and amusing and attractive 16-year-old”.
Charles also noted that she was “great fun and bouncy and full of life and everything” meanwhile Diana recalled he seemed “pretty amazing” when they met in a ploughed field.
Diana memorial 'protected from ghouls'
Diana would have been buried alongside family members in the Spencer family vault at St Mary’s Church, in Great Brington, but her brother thought against it.
Instead, her grave is on a small island, nicknamed the Oval, in the middle of an ornamental lake that is surrounded by lush, rolling grounds.
A memorial temple features a silhouette of Diana’s head, plaques featuring her quotes and a bench, where flowers are regularly laid in tribute.
In 1988, Earl Spencer said it was the “safest” place for her to be laid to rest to prevent her grave being targeted.
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He believed the water would “act as a buffer against the interventions of the insane and ghoulish” and “the thick mud presenting a further line of defence”.
“We all agreed that, with its beauty and tranquillity, this was the place for Diana to be," Earl Spencer added.
Diana’s family planted 36 oak trees on the grounds to mark each year of her life.
Althorp Estate was once visited by up to 150,000 per year but now the stately home is only open between July 1 and August 31.
Rented out for £500 a night
In previous years, a number of famous people had stayed in the property including Nelson Mandela, Mikhail Gorbachev, Sir Winston Churchill and many members of the Royal Family.
But in 2013, Earl Spencer caused a stir and was accused of cashing in Diana’s memory when he allowed people to rent his ancestral home for an undisclosed fee.
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An advertisement on Conde Nast Traveller read: “It does not get much grander than this: the seat of the Spencer family and the childhood home of Diana, Princess of Wales.”
Some branded Earl Spencer’s decision tasteless including his sister’s former pal Simone Simmons, who said it was “simply helping him make money”.
She added: “The Earl closed Althorp to the public because he didn’t want to exploit his sister’s memory but he’s doing much the same by renting out rooms.”
The venue was also available for weddings at £50,000 and for a Christmas-themed afternoon tea in the picture gallery for £44.50 per head.
Today, Althorpe can be visited by the public between July and August and appears to still be available for functions and stays.
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On HistoricHouses.org, an advert for Althorpe revealed the property has hosted charity events, a lunch party for the late President Mandela and a summer ball for President Gorbachev before his death.
A description read: "Whether you are here for a lunch party, a wedding or for several nights – whatever your requirements, Althorp will be exclusively yours throughout your stay."
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