Earl Spencer Shares New Snaps of Princess Diana's Final Resting Place

Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer of Althorp, is the only brother of the late Diana, Princess of Wales. He regularly shared photos of the Althorp estate and his sister's final resting place situated on the estate's small island called the Round Oval Lake.

On November 28, the Earl shared two snaps of the Althorp estate including the lake, which mesmerized the public due to its haunting image, as if there was a mystical element surrounding the lake. The Earl captioned it, "Beautifully foggy morning today".

Hauntingly beautiful! New photo of Princess Diana's final resting place. Credit: Charles Spencer instagram

Royal fans can't help but be captivated by the dreamy sight. "Hauntingly beautiful, poignantly sad!", said one of the commenters. "The lake so beautiful in the mist, holding its secret beauty for another day," another commenter said. 

As part of Diana's memorial, a plinth with an ern on top can be faintly made out on the island. Visitors do not have access to The Oval but they can leave their floral tributes at the temple site.

The temple near the lake where Diana's memory is taken care of  Credit: Charles Spencer instagram

In another post on November 5, Earl Spencer posted a magical snap of the round lake at sunset, with a haunting image similar to a fairytale painting. Dreamy, captivating, and bewitching. 

The image captured the moon high in the sky shining down on the glistening lake. In the background, a dense wall of trees creates privacy around the lake, creating a scenic view.

Mesmerizing sight of the round oval lake

Everything looked so quiet, poignant, and peaceful in the surrounding, giving us the impression that the beloved People's Princess is finally at peace. 

The Earl also posted a photo on All Soul's Day, November 2, remembering his father, the 8th Earl Spencer, who died in March 1992, and his sister, Diana. The poignant photograph was taken in 1989 on the occasion of his father's 65th birthday party in Althorp.

Charles, his father, the 8th Earl Spencer, and Princess Diana. 1989

He also shared interesting information about the temple in the lake, now dedicated to Diana's memory. He said that this temple was originally commissioned by their ancestor, George John Spencer, who was in charge of the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. 

The "temple" was built as a way of thanking God for their victory over the French during the Napoleonic Wars.

The temple near the lake housed Diana's memorial

The temple overlooks the round oval lake at Althorp and since 1997, it has been the home of Diana's memory where visitors can leave flowers on the site. Diana's image is imprinted on the door of the temple.

The Earl also shared that the round oval lake was established in the mid-19th century when "English winters were generally much colder now. It was put in because my family had a thing for ice skating".

Diana, Princess of Wales was laid to rest on September 6, 1997, at her childhood home in Althorp estate in Norfolk, England. Her grave cannot be directly accessed by visitors. The oval lake served as a "buffer" zone.

Althorp House, the Spencers' stately home with 90 rooms

Originally, it was not the intended place to bury the late Princess of Wales but Charles Spencer decided the small island was the ideal place for his sister's final resting place because it is safe from burglars and grave robbers, and where Diana's memory can be well taken care of. 

In 2021, the Earl spearheaded the total makeover of the lake and the temple, spending US$27 million for the renovation after he was criticized by the public for the murky surrounding, especially around the lake.

The Princess of Wales on the way to her honeymoon in 1981

Forever in our hearts, Diana, Princess of Wales. You will be eternally missed but will never be forgotten. May you find peace and joy in the afterlife.