Prince Harry and Prince William, who inherited a significant portion of their mother Princess Diana’s belongings after her tragic death, will not inherit her childhood home, Althorp Estate. Instead, this historic property will pass to their cousin, Louis Spencer, Viscount Althorp. This surprising inheritance decision is rooted in the British aristocratic system of primogeniture, which favors the eldest male heir.
Princess Diana tragically died in a car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997, a calamity that also claimed the lives of her driver Henry Paul and her boyfriend Dodi Fayed. The devastating event left Diana’s sons, Harry and William, inheriting the bulk of a £13 million fortune and a significant collection of jewelry. However, Althorp Estate, which has been in the Spencer family since 1508, follows the tradition of passing down to the oldest male heir. Louis Spencer, the son of Diana’s brother, Earl Charles Spencer, is the designated heir to Althorp despite having three older sisters. The estate will bypass them due to the rules of primogeniture.
The estate, where Diana spent much of her childhood and where she was laid to rest, will eventually become Louis’s responsibility. The sprawling property opens its doors to visitors each summer, offering a glimpse into the late princess’s early life. Louis Spencer, who studied at the University of Edinburgh and trained at a drama school in Chiswick, London, is currently building his career as an actor, represented by Tavistock Wood talent agency. Louis prefers to maintain a low profile; a source close to the family told The Telegraph, “He’s super private and gets on quietly with his things. He’s a very talented actor, and I think he’ll be a brilliant one. You’d like him—he’s very low-key, genuine, decent, kind, tall, and handsome.”
Kitty Spencer, Louis’s older sister, has publicly supported the tradition of primogeniture despite its implications for her inheritance. Speaking to Town and Country magazine, she acknowledged the evolving attitudes towards such traditions but expressed confidence in her brother’s ability to manage the estate. “We’ve grown up understanding that it’s Louis to inherit, and Louis will do an incredible job,” she said.
This inheritance tradition has left Harry and William without a claim to Althorp despite their royal status. The estate’s historical significance, both as Diana’s childhood home and final resting place, adds to its emotional value. However, the Spencers’ adherence to primogeniture underscores the enduring customs within British aristocracy, where lineage and gender often dictate the passage of property and titles.
Louis’s involvement with the estate has already begun as he attends trustee meetings in preparation for his future responsibilities. His low-key approach contrasts with the high-profile public lives of his royal cousins. In 2019, Tatler magazine named him one of the top eligible bachelors following his appearance at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, which brought him into the public eye.
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Source: The Wall Street Journal
