The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, are expected to return to the United Kingdom in the coming days. This potential visit may see them reconnecting with members of the Spencer family, including Princess Diana's siblings and their children.
During their previous visit to Britain last month, Earl Spencer, Charles Spencer, hosted the Sussexes at Althorp House, the Spencer family's ancestral estate. This interaction highlights a perceived warmth between the Spencers and the Sussexes, especially in contrast to Prince Harry's reportedly strained relationships with other members of the Royal Family.
Prince Harry, 41, is said to be estranged from his brother, Prince William, and has allegedly lost touch with Princess Eugenie. Amid these reported rifts, the Spencer family's support could be significant for Harry, who has been living in the United States for six years.
Beyond Earl Spencer and his wife Cat Jarman, the Duke and Duchess could also spend more time with Diana's sisters, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes, who are referred to as Harry's 'red aunts.' Despite the ongoing feud between William and Harry, both Lady Sarah, 71, and Lady Jane, 69, are reported to maintain close relationships with both brothers.
These maternal aunts, along with Earl Spencer, previously traveled to Montecito, California, where the Sussexes reside, to attend the christening of their daughter, Princess Lilibet. This event notably lacked attendance from other members of the Royal Family.
Speculation suggests that Harry and Meghan might consider the Cotswolds region of England as a base during their UK visits. Such a move could bring Harry closer to his six maternal cousins and introduce his children, Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, to a larger group of Spencer relatives.
Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Princess Diana's elder sister, is the eldest of the Spencer siblings. She previously dated King Charles III and is married to Neil McCorquodale, with whom she has three children: Emily, George, and Celia, and six grandchildren. Sarah was close to her sister Diana, sometimes accompanying her on engagements, and was involved in bringing Diana's body back to the UK in 1997. She has attended the christenings of Harry's children and was present at the unveiling of Diana's statue in 2021. She also publicly supported Prince Harry at the Invictus Games anniversary in May 2024. Harry expressed gratitude to Lady Sarah, Lady Jane, and Earl Spencer in his memoir, 'Spare.'
Emily McCorquodale, Lady Sarah's eldest daughter, attended Harry and Meghan's wedding in 2018 with her husband, James Hutt. She previously battled a rare form of spinal cancer as a student and has since had two children, Isabella and Henry. IMAGE6
George McCorquodale, the middle child of Lady Sarah, is reportedly close to Prince Harry, being born only two months apart. Harry was a guest at George's bachelor party and the guest of honor at George's wedding in South Africa. George has spoken of a close relationship with his cousins, including shared family holidays. He is now a father of three. IMAGE3 IMAGE10
Celia McCorquodale, the youngest of Lady Sarah's children, is noted for a youthful spiritedness that mirrors that of her cousin Harry. She married George Woodhouse in 2018, wearing the Spencer tiara, an heirloom worn by Diana on her wedding day. Harry and Meghan were in attendance. The couple has two children, Walter and Winifred. IMAGE8 IMAGE9
Lady Jane Fellowes, Diana's middle sister, married Robert Fellowes, a former assistant private secretary to the Queen. They have three children: Laura, Alexander, and Eleanor, and four grandchildren. Lady Jane read at Diana's funeral and was invited to the 2021 statue unveiling. She played a significant role in Harry and Meghan's wedding, performing a reading from the Song of Solomon. Harry made sure Meghan met both of his mother's sisters before their wedding, emphasizing their importance to him.
Laura Fellowes, Jane's eldest daughter, is reportedly close to Prince William and Kate Middleton, having served as a bridesmaid and pageboy at Prince Andrew's wedding alongside William and is a godmother to Princess Charlotte. She is now a fiction writer and married to Nicholas Pettman, with whom she has three children. IMAGE1 IMAGE2
Alexander Fellowes, Jane's son, is an investment banker who married designer Alexandra Finlay. Harry was a guest at their 2009 wedding. They have two children, Robert and Rose. IMAGE4
Eleanor Fellowes, the youngest of Jane's children, attended Oxford University and trained as a probation officer. She has written for the London Review of Books and lectures for the Howard League for Penal Reform. IMAGE2