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Charles Spencer reveals what his sister Princess Diana added to the royal family

The Earl opened up about the impact his late sister had in a heartfelt interview


Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, attends the UK premiere of "Dancing At The Vatican" at BAFTA
Diane Shipley
Senior Online Writer
On 21 June 2023
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Charles Spencer has kept the memory of his sister, the late Diana, Princess of Wales, alive, and is protective of her legacy

In a recent interview, the Earl opened up about what he feels she brought to the royal family and how it changed as a result of her influence.

 Speaking to model Twiggy on an episode of her Tea With Twiggy podcast, the father-of-seven praised his sister's sense of humour. 

WATCH: Charles Spencer's family home revealed

Charles said: "She had such a brilliant sense of humour, that was the thing. The royal family before Diana were doing a solid job with responsibility and duty but I remember once going with Diana to a concert for one of her charities. 

Charles Spencer smiling© Getty
Charles opened up about his sister's legacy

"It was a classical concert… It was a lovely event and then afterwards, she went on stage and talked to the orchestra and they loved her. There must have been 80 of them clustered around, it was rather like children meeting Father Christmas… She just had a genius for people, I think."

Diana, Princess of Wales attending the Ascot race meeting in England, wearing a black and white spotted dress by Victor Edelstein and a Philip Somerville hat, in 1988© Getty
Diana was known for her warmth

Twiggy reflected on her own brief meeting with Diana, saying: "We chatted for about ten or 15 minutes, she was so lovely." 

Charles sweetly added: "When Diana and I were growing up, there was always something about Twiggy in the news, so she would have been genuinely thrilled to have met you". 

Charles Spencer and Diana, Princess of Wales © Getty
Charles and Diana both lived at Althorp as children

Charles is custodian of his family's ancestral home, Althorp House, where he grew up with his sisters, including Princess Diana. 

READ: Charles Spencer sweetly expresses 'pride' in daughter Charlotte Diana in new interview

The Earl also spoke on the podcast about an incredible coincidence about the estate, when he shared that Althorp is open to the public between 1 July and 31 August every year. 

Charles Spencer with nephew Prince Harry© Rex
Charles with his nephew, Prince Harry

That means that it opens on the anniversary of Diana's birthday and closes on the anniversary of her death – although that was never the intention. 

An aerial photo of Althorp © Getty
An aerial photo of Althorp

Charles said: "With these big houses and their contents, you do an agreement with the government as to how many days to be open. "It's a strange coincidence actually but we agreed to be open for July and August, so we open on the first of July, which is Diana's birthday, and we close on 31 August, which is the day she died." 

Charles Spencer showing tourists around Althorp in 1977© Getty
Charles showing tourists around Althorp in 1977

"Is that a coincidence?" Twiggy asked, to which the author and historian responded: "Total coincidence, that was agreed five years before she passed away, so strange." 

The property's rich 500-year history is a huge pull for visitors far and wide. And whilst members of the public are not permitted to take photographs inside of the house itself, they can tour many of its beautiful rooms. 

Earl Charles Spencer and Countess Karen Spencer attend the wedding of Prince Harry to Ms Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel, Windsor © Getty
The Earl with his wife Karen

The late Princess Diana moved into the property along with her family when she was 14 years old. Aged 18, Diana moved to Earl's Court in West London where her mother had bought her a flat. 

The Spencer family home is so regal© Getty
The Spencer family home is so regal

Last month, Charles sparked a sweet fan reaction when he shared a glimpse inside an exciting project taking place at the sprawling 13,000-acre estate. Taking to Instagram, the 59-year-old posted a sun-soaked snapshot of numerous archaeologists preparing to sit down for a rewarding outdoor meal.

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