Althorp House
I went to visit Althorp this weekend. This is the ancestral country estate of the Spencer family. I had an interest in Diana, Princess of Wales.
It was a drizzly day and not busy. I found the estate extraordinarily beautiful. There is very little colour beyond trees and grass in the grounds – white hydrangea and purple lavender – lots of ornamental low cut privet hedges and massive old trees, deer and sheep.
I never realised that Charles Spencer wrote so many books. He has signed all those for sale in the gift shop which I thought was a nice touch. I imagine this historic interest is what influenced how well laid out and annotated all the paintings and artefacts are in the house and stable exhibition rooms.
Some visitors complain that there is not enough in the house about Diana, but I understand this. What I was not aware of until my visit was how many of the Spencer family, throughout previous centuries have held influential roles in government and the military. Diana was one, albeit female, of many famous Spencers. There is a quote somewhere in the house where she comments that this ancestral heritage of influence sustained her at difficult times.
I was moved by the whole wall display showing a fraction of the books of condolence sent after her death – thousands – and the shaky old film showing all the flowers taken to Kensington Palace to pay respects. I remember visiting myself and laying flowers. In the same room is an annotated version of Charles’s funeral speech showing he initially wrote even more angry words about the press than he eventually spoke. I remember the anger at the time; the helplessness of her untimely loss. His speech is cited among the most famous of the 20th century and sold in hard back copy in the shop.
I also read complaints about the shop, but I thought the choice of goods was very tasteful and you get a very nice free bag with purchases. His style, if it is his style reflected in everything, exudes class.
What did I think of the island – her final resting place? It is beautiful. And fitting for generations of visitors to come. Apparently one of the retired groundsmen visits almost every day to keep it tidy. When Nelson Mandela came to visit they built a little pontoon bridge so he could walk over to the island – only the second time a bridge was built since the first one they used to carry her over there. Bunches of flowers are still left in the little land side memorial.
I couldn’t understand why, when Diana asked Charles, her brother, for somewhere to have a UK base on the estate, he refused. Surely, even if he didn’t want to kick out current tenants, there were a few spare rooms in the house, or he could have built somewhere.
Afterwards, he planted a dedicated tree lined avenue to her. There is at least one other tree lined avenue that was presumably once an entrance to the estate but isn’t anymore. Nice, but not much practical help.
I respected Charles more after visiting the estate for two reasons; one, the exceptional maintenance of the nation’s historical heritage and the lovely young people he employs as guides, though that’s probably more due to a lead member of staff.
Airbrushing wives 1 and 2 from everywhere, not so much. Wife 3 is resplendent in purple at the top of the newly carpeted central staircase strategically centred between Charles himself and Diana. His line continues with 7 children for which those previous were at least 50% responsible.