Princess Diana’s death on Aug. 31, 1997, had a profound impact on the public, triggering an unprecedented outpouring of emotion. The world mourned the life of a woman whose short life was so impactful that her death felt like a personal loss. Diana was subsequently buried at Althorp, the Spencer family estate, where one person visits her grave daily.

1 person continues to grieve Princess Diana’s death

As the world continues to mourn the loss of Princess Diana 27 years after her untimely death, there is one person in particular who continues to pay homage to her almost daily. Her brother, Charles Spencer, visits her grave regularly.

Spencer shared his thoughts about Diana in an interview with Good Morning Britain. He spoke of the impact his sister had on so many lives.

“Every day people tell me what an inspiration she was and how much they miss her. What they did the day she died, it’s extraordinary,” Spencer explained.

Diana’s burial spot is at the center of Oval Lake in the center of a tree-covered island. However, visitors can only pay homage to the late princess from the water’s edge or via a water vessel.

Spencer reveals that he uses a handmade gift received for his 60th birthday to get to Diana’s burial spot. A friend who is a craftsman made him a canoe. He said of his visits to Diana’s grave, “I go pretty much every day there, yes.”

Where was Charles Spencer when he learned of Princess Diana’s death?

Charles Spencer shared that Princess Diana’s death shocked him to his core. He revealed details of the day he learned the news, from his sister.

“I was on the telephone with my middle sister Jane,” Spencer upon learning the news of Diana’s death. “Her husband worked for the queen and he was on another line and I heard him go, ‘Oh no.’”

He continued, “That’s when my sister said what happened. I remember it like it was yesterday.”

Charles added, “I’m sure everyone watching this program has had trauma in their family at some point. You sort of get used to it without it ever going away.”

Why is Princess Diana buried at Althorp Estate?

Princess Diana’s grave at the center of Oval Lake at Althorp House | David Goddard/Getty Images
 Princess Diana is buried on a small island on the Althorp Estate, the Spencer family’s ancestral home, for several key reasons. Althorp offered a secure and private resting place, shielding Diana’s grave from potential vandalism or unwanted attention.

A burial in a public space, such as Westminster Abbey or a royal crypt, could have turned her grave into a constant spectacle. The Spencer family wanted to avoid this type of focus.

At Althorp, Diana’s burial spot remains peaceful and intimate. The family hoped that the serene setting would offer Diana the peace that eluded her as the focus of the paparazzi’s attention during her public life.

During the summer months, Althorp is open to the public. However, those who wish to pay their respects may do so from a distance. They can visit a monument where a silhouette of the late princess is flanked by two tablets.

One displays a tribute Charles Spencer gave at Diana’s 1997 funeral. The other features a quote from Diana about her charitable work.