Earl Charles Spencer, brother of Princess Diana and uncle of Prince Harry, has publicly confirmed that his great-nephew and great-niece Archie and Lilibet stayed at his Althorp House residence during the visit the Sussex family made to the UK last July.
The revelation is gaining relevance now because it comes shortly after that visit was shrouded in a certain amount of media mystery, and at a time when Prince Harry and his family have recently finalized their move, leaving that trip behind as one of the last family gatherings on British soil before the change of residence.
A trip marked by family reunion
During that July visit, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and their children made the most of their stay in the UK for several purposes. One of the most talked-about moments was the meeting between Harry and his father, King Charles III, which took place during that same trip.
But beyond that anticipated reunion, the family visited other significant locations across British territory, including Althorp House, the estate in Northamptonshire that belonged to Princess Diana and is now owned by her brother, Earl Charles Spencer.
The clue Meghan Markle left on social media
It was Meghan Markle herself who, without fully realizing it, gave the first public clue about this visit. Through a post on her social media, the duchess shared images that made it possible to identify that she and her family had spent time at Althorp House, Diana of Wales' childhood home.
That post sparked speculation among followers of the British royal family, who quickly recognized the setting as the Spencer property. However, until now there had been no direct confirmation from those who reside on the estate.
Charles Spencer breaks his silence
The earl has finally been the one to put an end to the uncertainty. Charles Spencer confirmed that his nephew, Prince Harry, along with Meghan Markle and their children Archie and Lilibet, did indeed stay with him at Althorp during that July trip.
The confirmation came in a context very different from royal circles: the aristocrat gave an interview on the British program Lorraine, on ITV, to promote his new book, titled Swan Song: Diana, My Sister. It was during that television conversation, held just a couple of days ago, that Spencer openly addressed the topic of his great-nephew and great-niece's visit.
A book dedicated to his sister’s memory
Charles Spencer's new literary project, focused on the life and legacy of Princess Diana from the perspective of her closest brother, has served as a starting point for the earl to share previously unknown details about his relationship with the Sussex family.
Althorp House, the setting of Diana's childhood before she became Princess of Wales, retains strong symbolic value for her descendants. The estate also houses the princess's final resting place, which makes any visit by her children or grandchildren a gesture charged with emotional significance.
Context of the relationship between the Sussexes and the British royal family
This visit to Althorp House took place at a moment of particular media attention on the relationship between Prince Harry and his family in the UK. The meeting with King Charles III during that same trip had already sparked great interest, given the estrangement that has characterized recent years between the monarch and his younger son.
The stay at the Spencer property adds another layer to that story: while ties with the British Royal House have gone through moments of tension, the connection with Harry's maternal family appears to remain active, with Althorp House as a meeting point between generations.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Charles Spencer?Charles Spencer is the Earl of Spencer, brother of Princess Diana and, therefore, uncle of Prince Harry and Prince William. He owns Althorp House, the family estate in Northamptonshire.
When did Archie and Lilibet visit Althorp House?The visit took place in July, during a trip by Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and their children to the UK, before the family finalized their move.
How did this visit become known?The information initially came to light through a post by Meghan Markle on social media, in which images of Althorp House could be identified. Charles Spencer later confirmed the stay in a television interview.
What is Althorp House's connection to Princess Diana?Althorp House was Princess Diana's childhood home before her marriage to the then Prince Charles, and it is currently owned by her brother, Charles Spencer. The estate is also home to her final resting place.
Why did Charles Spencer talk about this visit now?The earl addressed the topic during an interview on ITV's Lorraine program, given to promote his new book, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, focused on his sister's memory.
Did Prince Harry also meet with King Charles III on that trip?Yes, during that same visit to the UK in July, a meeting took place between Prince Harry and his father, King Charles III.
