Earl Spencer, the proud custodian of the Spencer family’s ancestral home, Althorp House, recently shared a stunning glimpse of the lavish property with his followers. In a video posted on his Instagram Stories, the beautiful summer sunshine illuminated the estate and its grounds, showcasing the property in all its glory. The clear blue sky provided the perfect backdrop for the picturesque scene, capturing the essence of Althorp House in a brief yet sweeping snippet.
The video was shared without any caption, allowing the beauty of the moment and the surroundings to speak for themselves. Shortly after posting the video, the bestselling author met visitors at the house, signing copies of his latest book, A Very Private School, at the gift shop on the property. Althorp House is open to the public for a limited time in the summer, giving visitors the opportunity to explore the stunning estate where Charles Spencer moved when he was 11 years old, and his sister Diana was 14.
As Earl Spencer has previously revealed, the opening and closing dates for summer visiting hold a special significance for the family. The agreement to open the house for visitors in July and August was made years before Princess Diana’s passing, with the opening date coinciding with her birthday and the closing date marking the anniversary of her death. This year, however, the house will close a couple of days earlier on 29 August, but will feature a special exhibition that has never been seen before.
In a social media post announcing the opening of Althorp for the summer, Charles Spencer shared details about the new exhibit, a stunning canoe given to him by a friend for his 60th birthday. The Earl expressed his gratitude for the generous gift, highlighting its craftsmanship and thoughtfulness. The Grade I listed stately home, set on a sprawling estate of 13,000 acres, has been in the Spencer family for over 500 years, with the house and gardens comprising 550 of those acres.
Charles Spencer took over the property after the death of his father in 1992 and married his third wife, Countess (Karen) Spencer, in 2011. The couple shares a daughter, Charlotte Diana, born in 2012, but sadly announced their divorce earlier this year. Despite the personal challenges, Althorp House continues to stand as a testament to the Spencer family’s rich history and legacy, welcoming visitors to experience its beauty and grandeur.