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Arsonists have allegedly targeted a farmhouse at Princess Diana’s family estate in Northamptonshire.
Lady Di’s brother Charles Spencer revealed that a farmhouse at Althorp House was devastated in a huge fire after ‘arson.’
Footage shows a cottage going up in a fireball yesterday evening, with nearby properties appearing to be at risk too.
Charles Spencer wrote on X: ‘Stunned to learn that one of Althorp House’s farmhouses – fortunately, unoccupied at the time – was apparently burnt down by vandals last night.
‘With thanks to Northamptonshire Fire Service for doing their very best.
‘So very sad that anyone would think this a fun thing to do.’
The farmhouse, which is part of the Althorp House estate near Great Brington, appeared destroyed in the blaze after images showed smoke rising from the smouldering remains.
People expressed their shock after the pictures emerged.
One social media user said: ‘I’m so sorry. Every brick and beam of our built heritage carries the spirit of generations past; to see someone do this is heartbreaking.’
Another person said: ‘So sorry to see this. How fortunate that no one was hurt.’
Princess Diana is buried on an island located in the historic estate’s Oval Lake, where Prince William and Harry planted trees.
She is said to have loved the grounds and the house, with former royal staff saying living at Althorp was ‘probably the happiest time of her life.’
Althorp – a sprawling 13,000-acre estate – has been in the Spencer family for more than 500 years.
Diana spent most of her childhood there until her marriage to the Prince of Wales.
Her brother has owned Althorp since 1992, when he inherited the estate at the age of 27.
Prince Harry reportedly stayed at his mother’s childhood home during a visit to the UK in August last year for his uncle’s funeral, according to Architectural Digest.
Thousands of visitors flock to the estate every summer when the grounds and the manor are open. It also hosts an annual literary festival.
We approached Northamptonshire Police for a comment.
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