diana grave visit

Althorp - Princess Diana's Childhood Home

Althorp has been the home of the Spencers, the late Princess Diana's family, for more than 500 years. It's currently the home of Princess Diana's brother, the 9th Earl Spencer and also the site of the Princess's grave.

The family opened the house, including a lake and an island and surrounded by a 550-acre walled park, more than 50 years ago. Long before Diana became the Princess of Wales, visitors could enjoy the fine furnishings and artwork collected by twenty generations of Spencers.

Today, most visitors to Althorp (pronounced Althrup by some but actually a pretentious affectation these days ) come to see Diana's childhood home which can be visited by guided tours, booked in advance. The more than 500-year-old home holds one of Europe’s finest private collections of furniture, paintings, and ceramics. Still a family home, Althorp has 90 rooms - only some of which are open to the public.

Althorp Visitor Essentials

Address: Althorp, Northampton, NN7 4HQ
Booking Contact: telephone: +44 (0)1604 770 107 or email: [email protected]
Open Days: Althorp has a very limited season. The house is open in the summer with specific dates announced on the Althorp website every year. In 2019, the house and estate will be open from July 1 to August 31.
Additional Openings - Guided tours of the house are also available during The Althorp Food and Drink Festival, highlighting independent Northamptonshire producers, Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12 in 2019. Only the grounds and seasonal exhibitions are open during the Althorp Literary Festival in Autumn 2020.
Hours: In 2019, the gates open at 12:00 Noon and close at 5:00 p.m., with last admission to the house by 3:00 p.m.
Admission: In 2019, adult day tickets cost £18.50 if purchased online and £20 if purchased at the gate. Children aged 5 through 16 £11, online or at the gate. Family tickets and concessions (discounted tickets) for seniors and students are also available. Children up to 4 are admitted free. Tickets can be booked online any day except the day of your visit when they can be purchased at the gate. But keep in mind that when the house is open on August 31, the anniversary of Princess Diana's death, tickets are very much in demand so advance planning for that day is necessary.
What you get for your money - The admission price during the house opening season includes entry to the grounds, the current exhibitions, Café and Gift Shop in the Stables, and entrance to the State Rooms of the House.
How to Get to Althorp
By car: Althorp is 7 miles west of Northampton off the A428. Directions are signposted from the M1 motorway (Exit 16 Northbound or Exit 18 Southbound). Travel time is approximately 1.5 hours from London, 2.5 hours from York, and 1 hour from Stratford-Upon-Avon, Cambridge, or Oxford.
By train: Althorp is seven miles from Northampton station which has regular train service from London Euston. Bus and taxi services are available from Northampton station.

A Very Special Memorial

Diana's grave is on an island in the lake, known as The Round Oval. It is private and cannot be visited. A funerary urn perched on a column on one end of the lake indicates that the island is a burial place. Visitors can, however, contemplate the Princess at the lakeside Temple which is dedicated to her memory. The Temple was originally created by the 2nd Earl Spencer to celebrate a naval victory over the French during the Battle of the Nile under Nelson. It stood in the gardens of Admiralty House, in London until 1901, when it was bought by the 5th Earl and transported to Althorp. The purchase price was just £3. In 1926, the Temple was moved to its current location. Visitors can see it as part of exploring Althorp's grounds.

Princess Diana's Childhood Home in Althorp

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The Truth About Why Princess Diana's Grave Isn't Open To The Public

Princess Diana 's tragic death in August 1997 was one of those truly world-stopping moments in our collective history. The People's Princess was killed in a car crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in Paris (per Oprah Daily ). She was just 36 years old.

The grief felt throughout the world was simply massive. So many fans of the royal family felt connected with Diana's compassionate presence. Millions of people lined the streets of London mourning Diana on the day of her funeral. In addition, 2.5 billion people worldwide tuned in to watch the services (per The History Channel ). Her funeral was held at Westminster Abbey after a four-mile procession that saw Prince Charles and Prince Philip accompanying Prince William and Prince Harry on the walk, which they also shared with Diana's brother, Earl Charles Spencer .

Following the public funeral services, Diana was laid to rest in a private ceremony with just a handful of family members.

Princess Diana is buried at her childhood home

Originally, the plan was for Princess Diana to be buried at the Spencer family vault at a church in Great Brington. In the time leading up to her funeral, Earl Charles Spencer decided to change that plan. He wanted Prince William and Prince Harry to be able to visit Diana's grave whenever they wanted without privacy concerns. After seeing the public outpouring of mourning, they believed the public would be flocking to her grave for years to come (per BBC ).

To assure her loved ones always had unfettered access, Spencer decided it was best for Diana to be buried at the family home, Althorp House. The area she was buried in is an ornamental lake known as The Oval, located within Althorp Park's Pleasure Garden. There, you can find an arboretum where Diana and her loved ones, including her sons, had all planted trees.

Princess Diana was buried in a black woolen long-sleeved cocktail dress by Catherine Walker. She'd bought it just weeks before she died (via Parade ). She was buried holding a rosary that was gifted to her by Mother Teresa (via Baltimore Sun ).

There were other security concerns

Princess Diana's brother was deeply concerned about security measures when it came to his nephews visiting their mother's grave. He was also concerned about the legions of people who had conspiracy-type ideas about Diana. The isolated spot made it so intruders couldn't possibly vandalize or stalk the grave and continue to victimize Diana in her time of peace.

As her little brother, Earl Charles Spencer felt fiercely protective of Diana's legacy and privacy. "It is a point to remember that of all the ironies about Diana, perhaps the greatest was this — a girl given the name of the ancient goddess of hunting was, in the end, the most hunted person of the modern age," he said in her eulogy (via Town & Country ).

In 1998, Spencer revealed some of the reasoning behind the spot. He felt the water would "act as a buffer against the interventions of the insane and ghoulish, the thick mud presenting a further line of defense" (via The Sun ). "We all agreed that, with its beauty and tranquility, this was the place for Diana to be."

You can visit Althorp House in the summers

You can visit the Althorp House estate, located an hour and a half outside of London, during the summer when it is open to visitors. While guests can't go and visit the Princess' grave, they are able to leave messages and gifts at a memorial built across from it.

The memorial temple is decorated with a black-and-white marble cameo of Diana, with her name etched across the top (via Parade ). It also featured a quote from the beloved princess: "Nothing brings me more happiness than trying to help the most vulnerable people in society. It is a goal and an essential part of my life. A kind of destiny. Whoever is in distress can call on me. I will come running wherever they are."

Despite what is available to the public, Spencer has noted that there have been attempts to breach security and intruders caught attempting to visit Diana's grave. In 2017 alone, there were four attempted break-ins (via Closer Weekly ). "We've had four attempted break-ins towards her body in the last 20 years and I'm very glad we've seen all of them off," Spencer told BBC Radio 4 . "There are some odd people out there and keeping her right here is the safest place."

One person has been called out for not visiting Diana's grave

Over the years, Prince Harry and Prince William have both opened up about their complicated feelings about their mother's death. Both princes are believed to regularly visit Diana's grave when their schedules allow. Harry's even had flowers laid there since having moved to the United States, as recently as Mother's Day (via Page Six ).

In 2001, Earl Charles Spencer was asked if Prince Charles ever visits the gravesite. "Prince Charles has an open invitation, as he knows, to come to the memorial but he has yet to take up that invitation," he told BBC Radio Five (via Daily Mail ). When asked why he thought Prince Charles had not visited the site, Spencer replied, "Look at it from his point of view. It's an ex-wife at the end of the day and maybe that's how he views it. He recently said he wanted to draw a line under the whole episode and let Diana rest in peace and maybe he views him not going there as helping that process."

It's unclear which royal spouses have been there

It was reported that Prince William first brought Kate Middleton to visit Diana's grave before the two were married. "It was very important for William to take Kate to visit his mum just before their wedding day," a source told The Daily Mirror (via Reuters ). "Diana is a huge part of her boys' everyday life and always will be. It is tragic that she won't be there to see the wedding and that she never got to meet his bride."

It was also significant because William proposed to Kate with Diana's iconic sapphire engagement ring. "It's very special to me," William told reporters during their engagement interview. "It's my way of making sure my mother didn't miss out on today and the excitement and the fact we are going to spend the rest of our lives together."

As for Prince Harry's bride, Meghan Markle , there were reports the two were due to visit in 2019 with their newborn, Archie Harrison (via The Express ). It's unclear whether the trip happened, or whether Meghan had been there previously.

Where is Princess Diana buried and can you visit her grave?

The resting place of the People's Princess

a close up of Princess Diana's grave at the Althorp estate

As another year since her tragic and untimely death passes her memory is kept alive with not only those who knew and loved her sharing their memories but even those who weren’t born are taught about her life and the impact she had. We share where the late Princess Diana is buried.

This year (2023) marks 26 years since the day Princess Diana died - 31 August 1997 - a date that many remember vividly for the shockwaves the sad news sent across the globe. Known as the "People's Princess" - it was the public who indeed mourned the loss of Princess Diana following the car crash in Paris that killed her, her then-boyfriend at the time Dodi Fayed (son of Mohamed Al Fayed ), and driver Henri Paul. The sole survivor of the incident was Princess Diana's bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones .

Her tragic death is about to be featured in the upcoming season six of The Crown on Netflix , with her son Prince William as he deals with his ‘mother’s death ’.

Many will recall the thousands of flowers laid outside Buckingham Palace in the aftermath and the image of her two young sons, Prince William and Prince Harry , walking behind their mother's coffin at the funeral. But people are less familiar with where Princess Diana was buried and whether her grave is accessible to the public. Here's everything you need to know…

Where is Princess Diana buried?

Princess Diana is buried on a small island known as 'The Oval' at Althorp Park, Northamptonshire , which is the home of the Spencer family. The estate was bought in 1508 by John Spencer and Diana is said to have loved the grounds and the house.

Her body is buried on the island, which is next to an ornamental lake (called The Oval) within Althorp Park's Pleasure Garden. The area is surrounded by trees planted by Prince William, Prince Harry, and even Diana herself.

a long shot of Princess Diana's grave at Althorp Estate

The original plan was for Diana to be laid to rest at the nearby Great Brington church. Several Spencer family members including Diana's father are buried here in the Spencer Family Vault. However, this plan was later abandoned, with the family concerned about the safety and security of her grave. They also worried that the local church and Brington would be overwhelmed by the number of visitors wanting to see the late Princess' grave.

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Whilst Diana did have a public funeral, it was a royal ceremonial funeral rather than a state funeral , and her burial was a private affair with family members only.

Can you visit Princess Diana's grave?

Yes, you can visit Althorp Park. The family estate is located an hour and a half outside of London. Whilst Diana's grave on the island is not accessible to the public, it can be viewed from a distance and there is an opportunity to leave flowers at a nearby memorial. However, the house and park are only open to the public at a certain time of the year. Althorpe Estate has announced on its official website that “Althorp House is now closed for the season. We look forward to welcoming you in the summer of 2024.” As each year the house and gardens are open from the beginning of July until the end of August. In 2023 it was open from Monday 3rd July until Thursday 31st August. The exact opening dates for 2024 have not yet been announced but it could open as early as Monday, July 1st.

The memorial temple features a black-and-white marble plaque of Diana, with her name engraved across the top. It also bears a Princess Diana quote which reads: "Nothing brings me more happiness than trying to help the most vulnerable people in society. It is a goal and an essential part of my life. A kind of destiny. Whoever is in distress can call on me. I will come running wherever they are."

A post shared by Althorp House (@althorphouse) A photo posted by on

Diana’s brother Earl Charles Spencer surprised royal fans when he revealed that although the temple is a place to worship Diana, the construction was not actually built for her.

He penned, “Beautiful autumn colours in the grounds of Althorp House today. This temple, now dedicated to my late sister’s memory, was originally commissioned by our ancestor George John Spencer. He was in charge of the Royal Navy in the early part of the Napoleonic Wars. In 1798 initial reports from Egypt said the British fleet had been destroyed in a crucial battle by the French. George John fainted with shock.”

His post continued, “When the true version of the Battle of the Nile followed, outlining what was an astonishing victory by Nelson over the French, George John had this structure built - in thanks to God. It overlooks the Round Oval lake at Althorp and has become the place where kind visitors like to leave flowers in memory of Diana."

Why was Princess Diana buried in a coffin?

Though Princess Diana was divorced from Prince Charles - and no longer considered royal - she was buried in a lead-lined coffin which is traditional royal protocol , even though she wasn't buried near other members of the Royal Family .

This is because Diana was a famous figure and as she was so adored by the British public it was decided that a public funeral and royal coffin be appropriate.

Diana's coffin traveled back from Paris - where she died - and was initially held at the Chapel Royal at St James's ahead of her funeral. However, the coffin was later moved to Kensington Palace - her former home - following safety concerns. Following the public funeral, a private burial took place at Althorp.

The lead lining in Diana's coffin helps preserve the body and slows down the decomposition of the body - creating an airtight seal that fends off moisture. It was important that her coffin also be lead-lined, especially as she lay to rest in a vault. UK law states that a coffin must be sealed if it is for internment above ground.

Prince Harry revealed in his memoir Spare that although he wished to be buried alongside his mother, it was not deemed possible, so he has chosen to have his body laid to rest at Frogmore House. It’s likely that his initial burial request was denied for traditional reasons, as despite being a stately home, the house and estate aren’t an official royal residence.

Do Prince William and Prince Harry visit Diana's grave?

Yes, over the years, Diana's two sons Prince William and Prince Harry have both visited their mother's grave . In July 2017, the two princes attended a private service at her grave to mark 20 years since her death - it was held on what would have been her 56th birthday.

Held at Althorp House - where Diana is buried - the service was conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby . The Duchess of Cambridge (now known as Kate, Princess of Wales), Prince George , and sister Princess Charlotte were also at the ceremony.

And whilst Prince Harry is now living in LA - and thousands of miles away - he still makes sure to pay his respects on important occasions. On Mother's Day 2021, a spokesperson for the Prince told Insider : "The Duke arranged for flowers to be laid at his mother's grave on Sunday morning."

The same day, Prince William's three children (born after her untimely death) wrote cards to their "Granny Diana" - as shared by the official Kensington Palace social media account.

This year Mother’s Day will be different once again. Many of us will be apart from our loved ones, but looking forward to a time in the not too distant future when we can give our mother a hug again. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/Bys6OCqtTT March 14, 2021

And in 2023 it was reported by Hello! that Prince Harry secretly took his wife Meghan Markle to see his late mother’s grave in 2022. The details of the visit were revealed by Prince Harry in his explosive memoir Spare .

Speaking about their troublesome journey and Meghan’s special prayer, Harry revealed that their boat got stuck in the mud but luckily Diana’s brother Earl was on hand to give them “a little push”.

He told fans that it was Meghan’s first time at the burial site and that he left flowers at her grave.

"I was finally bringing the girl of my dreams home so she would meet my mother," the memoir reads.

He noted that he mentally asked his mother for guidance and to see things clearly, and when he asked Meghan what she prayed for, she replied with the same.

Has King Charles visited Princess Diana's grave?

Princess Diana's brother confirmed in an interview in 2001 that King Charles , who was known by the title Prince Charles at the time, had never visited Diana's grave. Earl Spencer said, “Prince Charles has an open invitation, as he knows, to come to the memorial but he has yet to take up that invitation."

As reported by the Daily Mail , the interview was between the Earl and then-Radio Five presenter Simon Mayo. Asking why he thought Charles had not paid a visit, Spencer added, "Look at it from his point of view. It's an ex-wife at the end of the day and maybe that's how he views it.

"He recently said he wanted to draw a line under the whole episode and let Diana rest in peace and maybe he views him not going there as helping that process."

Earl Spencer shaking hands with his nephews Prince William and Prince Harry

No new information on whether Charles has visited Diana's grave has been shared since the interview. However, Cheatsheet reported that a statement was released on behalf of the Duke of Cornwall, who is now known as King Charles, sharing that: “The matter of whether Prince Charles has visited the late Princess of Wales’s grave is a personal and private matter for him.”

Meanwhile, royal expert Robert Jobson told the Royal Beat podcast Charles once ‘smashed a window’ during a visit to Diana’s childhood home and ‘never went back’.

He claimed, “Charles only really went there once and stayed there, I remember this little story that happened when he was there.

"He got into such a mood that he was trying to open the window, and he couldn't open the window and he smashed the window when he was there.

"He never went back.

"He couldn't get it to open because he wanted the air to come in and he couldn't open the window."

In other royal news , King Charles set to abandon a £100 million royal family hobby that’s been passed down for generations , and Kate Middleton’s 'two veg' breakfast is an easy energy boost for busy mums .

Emily Stedman is the former Features Editor for GoodTo covering all things TV, entertainment, royal, lifestyle, health and wellbeing. Boasting an encyclopaedic knowledge on all things TV, celebrity and royals, career highlights include working at HELLO! Magazine and as a royal researcher to Diana biographer Andrew Morton on his book Meghan: A Hollywood Princess . In her spare time, Emily can be found eating her way around London, swimming at her local Lido or curled up on the sofa binging the next best Netflix show.

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Where is Princess Diana buried? Resting place revealed

15 December 2023, 13:44

By Hope Wilson

Where is Princess Diana's burial site and can you visit? Here are all the answers.

Listen to this article

With The Crown coming to an end after six series, we have seen the show tackle some of the most challenging moments of Queen Elizabeth II's reign.

One of the most difficult parts of Her Majesty's life has to be the death of Princess Diana in 1997. Known as the 'People's Princess', Diana touched the lives of many and her death left a huge hole in the royal landscape.

Diana's adult life has been chronicled in The Crown , with depictions of her death and funeral being shown on the series. This has left many fans wondering where Princess Diana's grave site is and if it is possible to view her final resting place.

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Where is Princess Diana buried and can you visit her grave? Here is everything you need to know.

Where is Princess Diana buried?

Princess Diana is buried on an island known as 'The Oval' within the grounds of Althorp Park, a home owned by the Spencer family.

The much-loved royal was originally meant to be buried in the Spencer family vault at a local church near Great Brington. However there was concern that this could cause a public safety issue, as it was expected that scores of people would want to visit the site.

It was then decided that Diana would be buried in Althorp Park to allow for privacy.

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Princess Diana is buried in the grounds of Althorp Park

Can you visit Princess Diana's grave?

The public cannot visit Princess Diana's grave.

The location of her grave site was chosen as it would allow Diana's sons, Prince William and Prince Harry , to visit their mother's final resting place without the worry of other people being there.

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Where is Princess Diana buried? If Althorp resting place is accessible to public

Her final resting place is on an island in an ornamental pond, known as the round oval within althorp park’s gardens.

The final six episodes of the last series of The Crown have been released turning the focus from the life and death of Diana, Princess of Wales to the aftermath for rest of the Royal family.

Prince William and Prince Harry come to the fore in the second part of the Netflix series, which was available to stream on 14 December.

The first episode in part two, entitled Willsmania, explores the Prince’s return to Eton as he comes to terms with the loss of his mother and a later trip to Canada with his father and brother.

And in poignant final scenes in this episode, we see the teenage Prince visiting his mother’s grave at her family’s ancestral home in Northamptonshire.

Where is Diana, Princess of Wales buried?

After her funeral at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6 September 1997, her coffin was taken to the Spencer family estate Althorp.

It was a private burial attended by the then Prince Charles, Princes William and Harry, the Princess’s mother and siblings, one close friend and a clergyman.

The original plan was for the Princess to be interred in the Spencer family vault at the local church in nearby Great Brington.

But her brother Lord Charles Spencer had concerns about public safety and security and visitors overwhelming the parish of Great Brington.

And so it was decided her grave should be a place which could be visited in privacy by her close family.

Her final resting place is on an island in an ornamental pond, known as The Round Oval within Althorp Park’s gardens.

Her burial place is marked with a white memorial plinth and urn.

Can the public visit her final resting place?

The public are not able to visit the island where she is laid to rest, it was chosen for this very reason.

Lord Spencer reportedly said the choice of location would “act as a buffer against the interventions of the insane and ghoulish, the thick mud presenting a further line of defence”.

However, there is a Doric-style temple with the Princess’s name inscribed on top which is situated across from the lake, which is a place where visitors can lay down their floral tributes when the grounds of Althorp are open to the public in July and August each year.

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Where is Princess Diana buried and where is her memorial garden?

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Today marks the 25th anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess Of Wales .

Diana died on Sunday, August 31 1997 , when she was aged just 36. She was survived by her two sons, Prince William , then 15, and Prince Harry , who was 12 at the time.

The Princess was involved in a collision at the Pont de l’Alma tunnel in Paris, which killed boyfriend Dodi Fayed and driver Henri Paul, in the early hours of the morning. Diana sadly died from her injuries hours later at the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital.

The tragic passing of the People’s Princess sparked an outpouring of public grief in the UK and around the globe .

Surely many will want to pay tribute to Diana today and in future. But where was was she buried?

And is there a memorial garden where people can pay their respects?

Where was Princess Diana buried?

Diana, Princess of Wales was buried at the Althorp Estate in Northamptonshire –the Spencer family home.

It has been owned by Diana’s brother, Charles, 9th Earl Spencer, since 1992. It was Diana’s childhood home.

Diana was reportedly laid to rest in the centre of The Oval lake. Her grave is not publicly accessible, though visitors to the Althorp Estate can pay their respects at a dedicated memorial.

The burial took place privately, after a public funeral on Saturday, September 6 1997.

Not a state funeral, but a ceremonial one, it was reportedly modelled after long-practiced preparations for Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s funeral, which wouldn’t be held until 2002.

The memorial to Princess Diana at Althorp

It took place at Westminster Abbey in London, and was televised on the BBC. Around 2.5 billion people tuned in across the globe to say goodbye to the beloved princess.

Tens of thousands of tributes were left at Kensington Palace.

Where is the Princess Diana memorial garden?

While it is not possible to visit Diana, Princess of Wales’ grave, it is possible to pay your respects in a number of ways.

There are several memorials to Diana in London. Most recently unveiled in 2021 was a statue of her at Kensington Palace . The palace also has a garden named for her.

On July 6, 2004, The Queen opened the Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park.

Earlier on June 30, 2000, the Diana Memorial Playground – created to celebrate the Princess’s connection to children – opened at Kensington Gardens.

MORE : Princess Diana on screen: Best TV and movie portrayals of Diana

MORE : Remembering Diana: 25 iconic pictures of the life of the Princess of Wales

MORE : When did Princess Diana die, and how old would she have been now?

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All the Details on Princess Diana's Childhood Home, Althorp

The Princess of Wales's final resting place at Althorp features in the final episodes of The Crown .

For those looking to pay homage to the late princess, Althorp is acually open to the public each summer, usually in July and August. Here's how you can plan a trip to the iconic country home:

When is Althorp open?

In 2023, Althorp House was open to guests from July 3 through August 31. "Showcasing one of Europe's finest private collections of furniture, paintings and ceramics, each intriguing room of this magnificent family home has a fascinating story of its own," Charles wrote on Instagram announcing that the property would be open for summer 2023.

Dates for the 2024 have not yet been announced, but the house's website says that they "look forward to welcoming you in the summer of 2024," suggesting that they do plan to open again next year.

Historically, the estate is open from noon to 5 p.m. daily, though visitors should take note that the last entry to the house is at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are available starting from £17.50 for access to the grounds (access to the grounds and the state rooms within the house starts from £25) with special pricing for children, seniors, and families. There is also a cafe and gift shop on site.

Princess Diana's grave is off-limits.

Aerial View of the burial site of Diana, Princess of Wales

In addition to being Princess Diana's childhood home, Althorp is also her final resting place , but her grave is inaccessible to the public. It is located on an island in the middle of Round Oval, a lake on the property, and there is a separate memorial site on the grounds where visitors can pay tribute to the late Princess of Wales.

In 1998, Diana's brother, Earl Charles Spencer notably said that the lake would "act as a buffer against the interventions of the insane and ghoulish, the thick mud presenting a further line of defence."

"We all agreed that, with its beauty and tranquillity, this was the place for Diana to be," he said.

How do you get to the estate?

Located right off the M1 motorway, and roughly an hour and a half from London, Althorp is best accessed by car, though the proptery's website provides detailed information for travelers arriving by car, bus, train, or even bicycle.

preview for Princess Diana Through The Years

As the digital director for Town & Country, Caroline Hallemann covers culture, entertainment, and a range of other subjects

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Dear Deidre

Where is Princess Diana buried and can you visit her grave?

Hana Carter
Jimmy Grant
Published : 15:47, 28 Aug 2021
Updated : 9:57, 16 Nov 2023
Published : Invalid Date,

PRINCESS Diana was just 36 years old when her life was cut short by a fatal car accident in the French capital.

It has been over 26 years since she passed , but her memory lives on in the royal family and the hearts of the nation.

Where is Princess Diana buried?

According to the BBC , it was her brother Earl Charles Spencer who decided Diana should be buried at the grounds of his home - where they both were raised as children.

The initial plan was for Diana to be buried in the family vault at the local church, but there were concerns for security and privacy.

Therefore, Charles decided to lay her to rest on an island at the centre of the Althorp House's oval lake.

The memorial temple features a black-and-white marble plaque of Diana, with her name engraved across the top.

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It also bears a Princess Diana quote which reads: "Nothing brings me more happiness than trying to help the most vulnerable people in society. It is a goal and an essential part of my life.

"A kind of destiny. Whoever is in distress can call on me. I will come running wherever they are."

It is understood the beloved princess is buried on an island at the centre of an ornamental lake known as The Oval in the stately home's stunning Pleasure Garden.

Althorp House , surrounded by 15,000 acres of Northamptonshire countryside, is around a mile away.

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Can you visit princess diana's grave.

While Diana was known as the people's princess, her final resting place is off limits to the public.

However, the small island can still be viewed from a distance.

Visitors to Althorp Park are able to pay their respects at a memorial site located on the grounds.

There is also a white memorial urn that glows among the lush greenery, and visitors can leave tributes at the lakeside temple dedicated to Diana.

Diana’s brother Earl Spencer revealed in 2017 that several people had previously attempted to gain entry to the grave.

Earl Spencer told BBC Radio 4: “We’ve had four attempted break-ins towards her body in the last 20 years and I’m very glad we’ve seen all of them off.”

He added that “there are some odd people out there” but insisted that “keeping her right here is the safest place.”

Earl Charles also said that about $27 million has been spent on repairs, modifications and maintenance of the tomb and the surrounding area.

Everything you need to know about Princess Diana's final years

After years of separation, Prince Charles and Princess Diana divorced in 1996 .

In 1997, Princess Diana spent her summer in the south of France and Italy. During August, she visited Sarajevo, Bosnia, to highlight the fight against landmines.

By the end of the month, the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al-Fayed travelled to Paris together.

It was revealed that Princess Diana stayed longer than planned in Paris due to a row over her land mine campaign .

Travelling in a black Mercedes Benz, Princess Diana was involved in a car crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel on August 31, 1997.

The Princess of Wales died at the age of 36.

Her funeral was held on September 6, 1997 . As her coffin made the journey from Kensington Palace to Westminister Abbey, Prince William and Prince Harry walked behind their late mother.

Princess Diana's mother , Frances Shand Kydd , and sisters, Jane Fellowes and Sarah McCorquodale, also attended the funeral.

The Princess of Wales was buried at her childhood home - Althorp House

If it wasn't for her tragic death, Princess Diana would have been 62 today.

When was Princess Diana buried?

On August 31, 1997, Princess Diana was in Paris with her partner, Dodi Al-Fayedc , the son of businessman Mohamed Al-Fayed.

They had just left the Ritz Hotel and were travelling with driver Henri Paul and Trevor Rees-Jones , a member of the Fayed family’s personal protection team.

At 12.23am, Paul lost control of the vehicle at the entrance to the Pont de l’Alma underpass and collided head-on with a pillar and smashed into a wall.

The car had been travelling at an estimated speed of 65 mph.

Mr Fayed and Mr Paul were pronounced dead at the scene. Mr Rees-Jones was badly injured but survived.

Diana was also still conscious but went into cardiac arrest after she was removed from the car by paramedics.

She was taken by ambulance to a hospital but was bleeding heavily in the chest area.

Diana was pronounced dead at the hospital at 4 am (3am BST) on August 31, 1997.

Despite extensive surgery, Dr Bruno Riou said that “we could not revive her”.

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Diana was buried the following month on September 6, 1997.

She was laid to rest in a long black dress designed by Lay Di's friend and designer Catherine Walker.

King Charles
Prince Harry
Prince William
Princess Diana

The Real Reason You Can't Visit Princess Diana's Grave

Princess Diana died on August 31, 1997 in an infamous car wreck that stunned the world. The 36-year-old Princess of Wales perished when her car plowed into the side of a tunnel while attempting to evade paparazzi.

Diana's death was a shock to everyone, especially the British. Although she had already divorced Prince Charles , British nationals gave the late princess the royal treatment. Parade reports that more than a million people stood on the streets between Kensington Palace and Westminster Abbey to pay their respects to the People's Princess.

On the day of her funeral, Diana was buried on her family's estate, Althorp Park . According to Parade , "She was wearing a black woolen long-sleeved cocktail dress by Catherine Walker that she had ordered only weeks before she died, and holding a set of rosary beads that were a gift from Mother Theresa ."

With the death of Prince Philip on April 9, 2021, there has been renewed interest in Diana's grave, leading many to wonder if they can visit. The short answer: No. Why? Read on to find out.

Diana's grave moved to a place only family can access

While Diana was initially intended to be placed in her family's vault at their church, her brother Earl Spencer feared that such an accessible gravesite would attract too many visitors, according to Parade . Out of respect for Diana's family, especially her then-young sons, Prince Harry and Prince William, he instead decided to lay Diana to rest on an island within their estate.

While the island is not open to visitors, Althorp Park is. Visitors can go to the lake — the path to which is lined with 36 oak trees, one for each year of Diana's tragically short life. From the edge of the lake, visitors can look out at the island, where Parade reports "... the white memorial urn ... glows among the lush greenery."

There is also a temple on the lake dedicated to Diana (pictured above), where visitors can leave flowers and notes. Via The Sun , the temple is adorned with a black-and-white profile portrait of the princess atop a black bench. The Oval Lake, as it is called, actually underwent a major redesign in 2017 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the princess' death.

Royal Fans Can Visit Princess Diana's Memorial During Select Times and Dates Only

Oct. 1 2021, Updated 12:11 p.m. ET

One of the most ever-present stories surrounding The British Royal Family is the untimely death of Princess Diana . Although decades have gone by since she passed away, many are keeping her memory alive, including her sons, Prince William , Duke of Cambridge, and Prince Harry , through various means.

Some supporters of Princess Diana and her family may want to visit her grave to celebrate her life and pay their respects. For a short period of time, the estate where she is buried made it possible for fans to get pretty close to doing just that. Here's what you need to know about where she's buried and how to go about visiting her grave.

Where is Princess Diana buried?

According to the BBC , Princess Diana is buried at her family home at the Althorp Estate. Initially, she was going to be laid to rest in her family's vault at a church in Great Brington, but her brother Charles , Ninth Earl Spencer, said he was concerned about her grave being so open to the public. He wanted a place for her sons to visit her privately and where things would be maintained, so he made the change.

To be more specific, Princess Diana is buried on an island in a lake called The Oval, located in the Althorp Pleasure Garden. There, she's surrounded by trees that have been planted by members of her family as well as by her.

According to the Althorp Estate's website, Charles has been in charge there for almost three decades. The home on its grounds has 500 years of history within its walls, and each room is said to have its own unique story.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Althorp House (@althorphouse)

Can you visit Princess Diana's grave?

The opportunity to visit the Althorp Estate and Princess Diana's memorial is only available during certain times that are predetermined by those who run the estate. As of now, there are no tickets available for purchase on their official website .

The royal family previously allowed visitors with advanced reservations to check out the grounds from July 1 to 4 and July 6 to August 30, 2021. Beyond those dates, the estate isn't open to the public during any other time of the year.

However, tickets to Althorp Estate aren't necessarily tickets to Diana's gravesite. In fact, no visitors are permitted direct access to Princess Diana's final resting place. The memorial that was erected for the public is all that is accessible, built across The Oval lake from where she is buried. With that being said, visitors are allowed to leave messages and gifts in that area.

Charles noted that there have been a few break-in attempts over the years, but they've all been unsuccessful.

"We've had four attempted break-ins toward her body in the last 20 years and I'm very glad we've seen all of them off," he told BBC Radio 4 (per The Mirror ) in 2017. "There are some odd people out there and keeping her right here is the safest place."

The memorial temple has Princess Diana's name across the top, and features a black-and-white image of her, along with one of her quotes.

"Nothing brings me more happiness than trying to help the most vulnerable people in society," it says, per Parade . "It is a goal and an essential part of my life. A kind of destiny. Whoever is in distress can call on me. I will come running wherever they are."

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Will, Kate and Harry visit Princess Diana's grave on her birthday

Almost 20 years since Princess Diana's death, her children, and the grandchildren she never met, visited her grave Saturday. The mother of Prince William and Prince Harry would have turned 56 years old that day.

Prince William and Prince Harry to mark Diana's birthday at her grave

William's wife, the Duchess Kate of Cambridge, and kids Prince George and Princess Charlotte were included in a private rededication service, along with Diana's siblings. Prince Charles, Diana's ex-husband, was absent from the event and in Canada with his wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. According to Kensington Palace, the ceremony took place in Althorp House, in Northamptonshire in the English countryside, and conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Althorp House is open to tourists periodically, but Diana's gravesite has been off-limits to the public and Earl Spencer, Diana's brother, announced a multi-million-dollar redesign of the island, earlier this month.

William and Harry, who were 15 and 12 years old when their mother died in a car crash on in 1997, have marked the anniversary by commissioning a statue of Diana. Before the statue is erected in the public gardens of Kensington Palace in London in August, visitors are leaving balloons, signs and flowers at the palace gates to honor Diana.

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Contributing: Maria Puente

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Social Casino

Where is Princess Diana buried and can you visit her grave?

Hana Carter
Jimmy Grant
Published : 10:47 ET, Aug 28 2021
Updated : 4:58 ET, Nov 16 2023
Published : Invalid Date,

PRINCESS Diana was just 36 years old when her life was cut short by a fatal car accident in the French capital.

It has been over 26 years since she passed , but her memory lives on in the royal family and the hearts of the nation.

Where is Princess Diana buried?

According to the BBC, it was her brother Earl Charles Spencer who decided Diana should be buried at the grounds of his home - where they both were raised as children.

The initial plan was for Diana to be buried in the family vault at the local church, but there were concerns for security and privacy.

Therefore, Charles decided to lay her to rest on an island at the centre of the Althorp House's oval lake.

The memorial temple features a black-and-white marble plaque of Diana, with her name engraved across the top.

It also bears a Princess Diana quote which reads: "Nothing brings me more happiness than trying to help the most vulnerable people in society. It is a goal and an essential part of my life.

"A kind of destiny. Whoever is in distress can call on me. I will come running wherever they are."

It is understood the beloved princess is buried on an island at the centre of an ornamental lake known as The Oval in the stately home's stunning Pleasure Garden.

Althorp House , surrounded by 15,000 acres of Northamptonshire countryside, is around a mile away.

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