Earl Spencer has shown subtle support for his nephew Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, amid public criticism following their visit to Princess Diana's grave. The Earl's actions, particularly his wife's Instagram post of a family grave, are interpreted as an endorsement of Meghan's social media sharing of their visit to Althorp, Diana's resting place.
Last week, Meghan posted a series of photos on Instagram, including one of Harry and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, carrying flowers, believed to be for Diana's grave. The post, accompanied by upbeat music, drew accusations of being 'tasteless' and an attempt to 'cash in' on Diana's legacy.
In response, Earl Spencer, Charles Spencer, reportedly agreed to his wife Cat Jarman's post of a photograph of his own older brother John's grave. John Spencer died shortly after birth in 1960 and is buried in the graveyard of St Mary Magdalene church in Sandringham. This act is seen as a quiet affirmation of his approval of Meghan's sharing of private family moments.
This demonstration of support highlights Earl Spencer's apparent closeness to Harry. The Earl has become a significant paternal figure for the Duke of Sussex, particularly noted during Harry's recent return to Britain. During this visit, Harry spent more time with his uncle than with his father, King Charles. The Sussexes and their children stayed at Althorp, Spencer's ancestral home, during this period, though they also had afternoon tea with the King at his Highgrove residence.
Spencer's relationship with Harry is notably warmer than with his other nephew, Prince William. Earl Spencer was absent from the weddings of his nieces, Lady Kitty and Lady Amelia, suggesting a distance from William's side of the family. The close relationship with Harry is further underscored by a previous report that Harry sought his uncle's advice on changing his surname to Spencer, a move that Earl Spencer reportedly advised against. Such a change would have been particularly sensitive given King Charles's own attachment to the Mountbatten name.
Princess Diana is buried on an island in an ornamental lake at Althorp, Spencer's Northamptonshire estate. Harry has previously visited the grave, notably rowing Meghan to the island on the 25th anniversary of Diana's death in 2022. He described the moment in his memoir, 'Spare,' recounting how Meghan knelt with her eyes shut and palms against the stone.
In contrast to their sharing of moments at Althorp, the Sussexes did not post any photographs from their visit to Highgrove. This distinction suggests an awareness of the different approaches to privacy and publicity between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Royal Family, particularly King Charles.