In a fiery rebuttal that has shocked royal watchers, Earl Spencer, the brother of the late Princess Diana, has firmly shut down Meghan Markle’s recent claims suggesting that Althorp House—the ancestral Spencer family estate—belongs to her son Archie. The explosive back-and-forth has turned into one of the most talked-about royal controversies in 2025.
Althorp House, located in Northamptonshire, England, has been the Spencer family seat since 1508 and holds immense historical significance as the childhood home and final resting place of Princess Diana. Currently, Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer, serves as the rightful owner and custodian of the estate. According to longstanding tradition, the immense estate is passed down the Spencer male line, meaning neither Prince Harry nor Archie stands to inherit it. This centuries-old custom and Charles Spencer’s explicit statements firmly prohibit the transfer of Althorp outside the Spencer family bloodline.
Earl Spencer publicly responded to Meghan Markle’s claims with a message of incredulity and frustration, signaling that the idea of Archie owning Althorp “is simply out of the question” and “an absurd suggestion” that dismisses the heritage and protocols the family has upheld for over five centuries. Sources close to Earl Spencer revealed he views Meghan’s assertions as a misguided attempt to fuel royal drama, adding this estate remains a sacred family legacy that will stay within Spencer lineage, likely passing next to Charles’s son Louis.
Meghan’s comments have sparked a volley of reactions across social media and royal commentary circles, with many backing Earl Spencer’s stance emphasizing respect for tradition and heritage. Critics argue that Meghan’s claims may further strain already fragile family relationships and distract from more meaningful charitable initiatives supported by the Spencer family.
The Althorp estate hosts a memorial and exhibition open in summers, preserving Diana’s legacy and the Spencer family’s history. Earl Spencer’s stewardship has been marked by efforts to maintain and increase the estate’s revenue while keeping it a place of remembrance and cultural significance.
In summary, Earl Spencer’s unequivocal rejection of Meghan Markle’s claim that Althorp belongs to Archie underscores the firm hold of tradition and bloodline inheritance in British aristocracy. This confrontation reveals more than just property disputes—it reflects the enduring tensions between family legacy and modern royal controversies, ensuring the conversation around the Spencer estate remains as charged as ever.
