Prince Harry and Prince William are the only two children of the late Princess Diana but it seems that neither of them will inherit their mother’s childhood home which is also the site of her final resting place.
Instead, the historical and prestigious Althorp Estate which covers over 13,000 acres, will be passed down to a “talented actor” in the family – Diana’s brother, Earl Spencer’s son, Louis.
The Althorp Estate has been the Spencer family’s ancestral home for more than five centuries and is where the late Princess of Wales spent much of her younger years and is now buried there after her tragic death in 1997.
At present, the Althorp Estate is owned by Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer, and due to the aristocracy’s system of primogeniture, which sees titles passed down to the eldest son, rather than the firstborn child, 30-year-old Viscount Althorp, Louis, will inherit the estate despite having three older sisters.
Born in 1994, Louis is the eldest son of Charles Spencer and his first wife, Victoria Lockwood and is next in line to become the 10th Earl Spencer, a title that comes with the duty of managing the Althorp Estate.
Louis Spencer, Viscount Althorp has keeps a relatively low profile over the years, unlike some of his more famous kin. He studied at the University of Edinburgh before moving onto a drama school in Chiswick, London.
He’s now represented by Tavistock Wood talent agency and an insider revealed to The Telegraph: “He’s super private and gets on quietly with his thing.
“He’s a very talented actor and, I think, will be a brilliant one. You’d like him. He’s very low-key and genuine, decent and kind and tall.”
Over the years, The Althorp Estate has been carefully preserved and remains a testament to the Spencer family’s legacy with Charles Spencer overseeing numerous events and exhibitions at Althorp, including tributes to Diana’s philanthropic work and life.
However, this will one day all be Louis’ job to maintain the property. According to OK! Magazine, Louis is already participating in Trustee meetings for the vast and historic estate he’s set to inherit.
When this happens, Louis Spencer will not only become Earl Spencer but also take up the task of preserving and managing one of the UK’s most historic estates.
His duties will involve upholding the estate’s historical integrity, managing its operations, and ensuring it continues as a place of cultural and family importance.
Tatler, the lifestyle magazine, once labelled Louis Spencer as one of Britain’s most eligible bachelors, describing him as “charmingly dapper” with a “down-to-earth sophisticated savoir-faire”.
Spencer’s eldest sister, Lady Kitty Spencer, has previously revealed how she feels about her younger brother inheriting the estate over her.
She told the Mirror: “Primogeniture can be a tricky topic, because as times are changing, attitudes are as well. We’ve grown up understanding that it’s Louis to inherit, and Louis will do an incredible job.”
Princess Diana enjoyed an idyllic childhood at the beautiful Northamptonshire property, situated in the tranquil countryside, where she grew up with her siblings.
The Althorp Estate is also open to the public during select periods of the year where visitors can enjoy a tour of the grand residence, stroll through its gardens, and delve into the extensive history of the Spencer lineage.
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