Now you can stay in Diana’s childhood home
Althorp House is available to rent
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to live like royalty, well now you can come one step closer, by booking into Diana, Princess of Wales’ childhood home.
Tatler reports Althorp House in Northamptonshire has been listed for rent on Elysian Estates, which is kind of an upmarket version of Airbnb, for castles and stately homes. The estate, which has been in the Spencer family since the 1500s, is home to Diana’s brother Earl Spencer, who shares fascinating glimpses into his lifestyle, on his Instagram page.
According to the rental blurb, you can “walk in the footsteps of kings and queens, feast or celebrate in spectacular surroundings, marvel at the sense of history and artwork, and slumber in pure luxury. To stay at Althorp is to become part of the amazing history of this magnificent property, renowned for its discreet yet spectacular hospitality to guests including royalty and aristocracy since 1508.”
Guests will enjoy “unparalleled levels of service, privacy and luxury to rival the finest properties anywhere in the world; yet retains the truly welcoming and homely feel that makes Althorp so special.”
The estate offers 26 bedrooms, plus an extra 12, a 250-person reception area and a 500-person marquee, with butler service, in-house catering, access to the 500-acre estate and artwork by Anthony van Dyck, Gainsborough and Sir Joshua Reynolds.
It was Diana’s childhood home and was where Prince Charles first met his future wife in the 1970s. It’s also the burial site of the late Princess of Wales, but access to that is expected to be prohibited. As to the price, it’s not listed, but we imagine it’s a little steeper than a mini-break in Margate. For those on a smaller budget, Althorp House is open every summer for day visitors.
Kate wows at wheelchair rugby
In her own words, our sporty Princess of Wales has willingly admitted she is incredibly competitive – especially when playing against William – and this week she scored a conversion playing wheelchair rugby.
Catherine, a patron of the Rugby Football League, was in Hull taking part in a Rugby League Inclusivity Day, where she met the England team who are the current world champions. Despite her index and middle fingers of her right hand being strapped up, due a trampolining injury sustain weeks ago, she vowed to “get stuck in” and scored a conversion at the first attempt.
She later revealed George, Charlotte and Louis all love watching the sport and that the whole family was “screaming” at the television when the team beat France in the World Cup final last year.
William gets to the bottom of it
Prince William came over all Benny Hill this week when he made a naughty joke to get a laugh in a group photo.
In Cardiff on Tuesday, the Prince of Wales was visiting the Grange Pavilion and while they assembled for a photo, he was filmed quipping, “Who’s pinching my bottom?” The video, which was shared to TikTok shows everyone bursting out laughing.
The Waleses were in the Welsh capital to mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the HMT Empire Windrush to the UK and the start of Black History Month. “Incredible to see the contributions of the Windrush generation transcend to the present day and beyond. Young people are given a platform to be a voice of change and build friendships and community,” the couple posted on Instagram.
Anne gets eggsited
Another week, another cracking story about Princess Anne. Our favourite royal was in Cornwall visiting the headquarters of St. Ewe free range eggs. She toured their new grading and packing factory and looked absolutely thrilled to be given a hamper to take home.
The Princess Royal ranks the hardest-working royal, year after year. In 2022 she topped the league again with 214 engagements, beating King Charles, who came second with 181. It’s down to the fact she is happy to take the “ordinary engagements”, the less glamorous ones and cheerily gets on with the job, even age 73. All of which is why she really rules the royal roost, in our opinion.
Camilla says “Keep Dancing”
To mark International Day of Older Persons, Queen Camilla sent a message to her Silver Swans at the Royal Academy of Dance who were hosting a special day celebrating dance last Sunday.
“As a devoted, if slightly creaky, Silver Swan myself, I very much wanted to send you my warmest wishes for a wonderful day of fellowship and fun, celebrating the huge benefits that ballet has brought to our lives,” posted Camilla on Instagram. “To borrow a quote…. Keep Dancing!”
The Academy launched Silver Swans (ballet classes for older learners) in 2017.