How Diana’s brother Earl Spencer has been quietly supporting Harry and Meghan behind the scenes

FOR Prince Harry Althorp is more than a grand country estate — it is a sacred sanctuary, the ancestral home of his late mother and the quiet island where she rests. It is the one place in Britain he can draw close to Diana’s memory away from the public gaze. Diana’s brother Earl Spencer has been quietly supporting Harry and Meghan behind the scenes Credit: Getty The Sussexes are to navigate a complex transition back to the UK Credit: Splash So, as he and Meghan navigate a complex transition back to the UK, it makes sense that they would look to the 13,000-acre Northamptonshire estate while searching for a permanent base. Diana’s younger brother Charles Spencer and his two sisters have been quietly supporting Harry and Meghan behind the scenes. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! On one hand it is entirely fitting that Earl Spencer would smooth the path for his nephew. On the other it feels like history repeating itself — given how the Spencers’ own ties to the royal family eventually soured. When Harry returns to the UK, Charles Spencer is often there. In 2024 he attended the Invictus Games tenth anniversary service at St Paul’s Cathedral. The two were also seen together at the funeral of Lord Robert Fellowes, husband to Harry’s aunt Lady Jane Fellowes. Harry’s “red aunts” — Lady Jane and Lady Sarah McCorquodale — so known for their hair — were at the 2019 christening of Harry’s son Archie at Windsor Castle. Most read in The Sun Charles does not shy away from conflict when he feels wronged Credit: Getty Harry and Meghan remain unpopular with the British public Credit: Getty The royal ties run deep. Charles’ father Johnnie Spencer served as an equerry to both King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II. Their maternal grandfather Lord Fermoy was a close friend of George VI and their grandmother Lady Fermoy was a lady-in-waiting to the Queen Mother. Jokingly dubbed “ten generations of royal groupies”, the Spencers have always been inextricably linked to the throne. Charles is even a godson of the late Queen. Yet there is one major difference between the Spencers and the House of Windsor. While the Royals famously adhere to “never complain, never explain” the Spencers have always fought back. Charles does not shy away from conflict when he feels wronged. Consider his battle with Martin Bashir and the BBC or his memoir detailing his traumatic schooldays. Now he is preparing to release a book on Diana offering his family’s perspective away from the royal household’s “grey men in suits”. Harry and Meghan’s children Archie and Lilibet need to understand their heritage, not have it airbrushed by the California sunshine Credit: Instagram Earl Spencer in 2024 Credit: Getty Harry has taken a similar path, dropping his own “truth bombs” through the same publisher in his memoir Spare. He is also reportedly involved in an upcoming documentary marking an anniversary of his mother’s death. Could Althorp and the Spencers feature in it? Only time will tell. The rift between the Royal Family and Charles over Diana’s funeral arrangements is well-documented. Spencer delivered the final word in his Westminster Abbey eulogy saying: “I pledge we, your blood family, will do all we can to continue the imaginative and loving way . . . their souls are not simply immersed by duty and tradition.” At the time it seemed like a shocking blow to the Royals. In hindsight it captures what Spencer is doing now — helping Harry and Meghan navigate their return. Their children Archie and Lilibet need to understand their heritage, not have it airbrushed by the California sunshine. Looking ahead, the King must address any lingering animosity between the families. While Harry and Meghan remain unpopular with the British public their children’s connection to the Spencer line creates a powerful alternative royal bloodline — one rooted in public sentiment even while estranged from the Crown. *Ingrid Seward is the author of Catherine and Diana which will be published in September by Orion. Comment now