Despite the strained relationship with his royal relatives, Prince Harry found comfort in reconnecting with his mother’s family during his recent trip to the UK for the funeral of his uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes, on August 29. While tensions with the royal family remain high, the Duke of Sussex spent time with his late mother Princess Diana’s family, staying at the Spencer ancestral home, Althorp House.
Though Prince Harry has faced challenges regarding where to stay during his brief UK visits since stepping back from royal duties, this time he found refuge at Althorp House, where he spent quality time with his maternal uncle, Charles Spencer. According to People Magazine, the visit marked another moment of connection with his mother’s side, offering Harry some solace during a difficult time.
Prince William also attended the service at St. Mary’s Church in Snettisham, Norfolk, just days before the 27th anniversary of their mother Princess Diana’s death. However, despite both brothers being present, insiders revealed that they maintained their distance, each spending time with different groups of maternal cousins.
This isn’t the first time Charles Spencer has rallied around Harry. In May, during a special service for the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games, Harry received support from his aunt, Lady Jane Fellowes, and cousins George McCorquodale, Ned Spencer, and Louis Spencer. The Spencer family has remained a source of comfort for the Duke during difficult moments.
Althorp House, which also serves as Princess Diana’s resting place, holds deep significance for Harry. In his memoir Spare, released in January 2023, Harry reflected on a visit to his mother’s grave with his wife, Meghan Markle. “No visit to this place was ever easy, but this one… twenty-fifth anniversary. And Meg’s first time. At long last, I was bringing the girl of my dreams home to meet mum,” he wrote.
Harry also reflected on the connection to Althorp’s grounds, recalling in his book: “Uncle Charles came down to the water’s edge, gave us a little shove… Gliding across the pond, I gazed around at Althorp’s rolling fields and ancient trees, the thousands of green acres where my mother grew up, and where, though things weren’t perfect, she’d known some peace.”
On August 31, Charles Spencer paid tribute to his sister, Princess Diana, by posting a series of old photographs and newspaper cuttings on Instagram, remembering her legacy.