Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer, recently unveiled a refreshed midsection on the main staircase at Althorp House, the grand estate where he and his sister, Princess Diana, spent their childhood. The handwoven carpet, in rich crimson and navy tones with an intricate pattern, features a prominent gold ‘S’ emblem honoring the Spencer family legacy. Spencer shared details on Instagram on March 25, noting, “New midsection to the carpet on the main stairs in the Saloon (central hall) at Althorp House. Handwoven and hopefully set to last for a century. The Spencer ‘S’ holding it all together nicely, I hope.”
Althorp House’s Storied Past
The Spencer family acquired Althorp House in 1508 for £800, thanks to fortunes from sheep farming across its 13,000-acre estate. In the 18th century, the 1st Earl Spencer and his daughter, Lady Georgiana Spencer—later Duchess of Devonshire—hosted extravagant gatherings there. Today, the property opens to visitors each July and August, showcasing over 100,000 books and artworks like Anthony Van Dyck’s War and Peace and a portrait of King James I by John de Critz. The saloon staircase stands out, notably as the site of a 1986 family photo featuring Spencer’s father, John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer, and stepmother Raine, Countess Spencer.
A Vibrant Family Legacy
Spencer views Althorp as a temporary stewardship. In a 2015 interview, he reflected, “I’m very conscious always that I’m just passing through.” He added joyfully about his children sliding down the stairs on trays, saying, “I’ve still got little children ’cause I’ve got quite a range of kids… You gotta enjoy the place!” The earl fathers seven children: Lady Kitty (35), twins Lady Eliza and Lady Amelia (33), and Louis (32) from his first marriage to Victoria Aitken; Edmund (22) and Lara (20) from his second marriage to Caroline Freud; and Lady Charlotte Diana (13) from his third marriage to Karen Spencer, from whom he recently divorced.
Princess Diana’s Serene Memorial
Althorp’s most touching site remains the private island memorial for Princess Diana, mother of Princes William and Harry, who passed away in 1997. Her resting place sits amid trees on an oval lake. Earlier this month, a 14-foot magnolia tree was planted along the lake’s edge.
