Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer, recently unveiled a striking upgrade to the main staircase at Althorp House, the grand estate where he grew up alongside his sister, Princess Diana. On March 25, he shared an image on Instagram highlighting the new handwoven carpet in the Saloon, the property’s central hall.
“New midsection to the carpet on the main stairs in the Saloon at Althorp House. Handwoven and hopefully set to last for a century,” Spencer captioned the post. “The Spencer ‘S’ holding it all together nicely, I hope.” The carpet features rich crimson and navy tones with an intricate pattern, accented by a gold-embroidered ‘S’ symbolizing the family’s heritage.
Rich History of Althorp House
The Spencer family acquired the 13,000-acre estate in 1508 for £800, thanks to wealth from sheep farming. In the 18th century, the 1st Earl Spencer and his daughter, Lady Georgiana Spencer—later the Duchess of Devonshire—hosted extravagant gatherings there.
Althorp House opens to the public each July and August, drawing visitors to its library of over 100,000 books and walls lined with masterpieces, including Anthony Van Dyck’s War and Peace and a portrait of King James I by John de Critz. The saloon staircase stands out as a highlight, notably featured in a 1986 photograph of Spencer’s father, John Spencer, the 8th Earl, and stepmother Raine, Countess Spencer.
A Cherished Family Legacy
Spencer views his role at Althorp House as temporary stewardship. “I’m very conscious always that I’m just passing through,” he stated in a 2015 interview during a property tour. He added a lighthearted note about his children: “I’ve still got little children ’cause I’ve got quite a range of kids. But they go down the main staircase on trays, you know, like breakfast trays, really fast. And I just think that’s great. You gotta enjoy the place!”
He 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.
Princess Diana’s Memorial
The estate holds deep emotional significance as the resting place of Princess Diana, mother of Princes William and Harry, who passed away in 1997. Her grave lies on a secluded, tree-shaded island amid the grounds’ oval lake. Earlier this month, a new 14-foot magnolia tree was planted near the lake’s edge.
