Although Prince William and Prince Harry inherited the bulk of their mother Princess Diana’s personal wealth, they are not set to inherit her family’s historic estate, Althorp. This is due to a centuries‑old tradition known as male-preference primogeniture, which dictates that titles and estates pass to the eldest male heir—even when he has older sisters .
Why Princes William and Harry Won’t Inherit Princess Diana’s Ancestral Home
Located in Northamptonshire and owned by the Spencer family since 1508, Althorp currently belongs to Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer. Upon his death, it will pass not to William or Harry, but to his only son, Louis, Viscount Althorp . Despite having three older sisters—Lady Kitty, Lady Eliza, and Lady Amelia—Louis is the designated heir under traditional aristocratic succession .
Both Charles and his eldest daughter, Kitty, have publicly acknowledged the outdated nature of primogeniture yet accepted it as part of the Althorp legacy. Kitty, in particular, has said she supports her brother’s inheritance: “I’m totally pro‑gender equality, but I’m quite happy that that’s my brother’s responsibility… I like that the house stays within the same family, with the same surname” .
Importantly, while they won’t own the estate, William and Harry retain the right to visit their mother’s resting place—a secluded island within Althorp’s Oval Lake, chosen for its privacy and serenity . Prince Harry even shared that in 2022, he and Meghan visited the site to mark the 25th anniversary of Diana’s death .
