Earl Charles Spencer has revealed his shock after vandals apparently burnt down a farmhouse on the historic Althorp estate, the childhood home of his late sister Princess Diana.
The 61-year-old earl shared dramatic images of the blaze and its devastating aftermath on social media, showing the property completely gutted by flames that firefighters battled through the night.
“Stunned to learn that one of @AlthorpHouse’s farmhouses – fortunately, unoccupied at the time – was apparently burnt down by vandals last night,” Spencer wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The peer thanked Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service for “doing their very best” to tackle the blaze, but images showed little could be saved from the historic building.
“So very sad that anyone would think this a fun thing to do,” he added, suggesting the fire was deliberately started.
Fire crews remained at the scene throughout today, damping down hotspots and investigating the cause of the blaze that destroyed the property on the 13,000-acre estate in Northamptonshire.
The farmhouse was one of several on the sprawling estate, which has been the Spencer family seat for over 500 years and where Princess Diana spent her childhood before marrying Prince Charles.
A spokesperson for Northamptonshire Police confirmed they were investigating the fire as suspected arson. “We are treating this fire as suspicious and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward,” they said.
Locals expressed shock that anyone would target the historic estate, which attracts thousands of visitors annually, many coming to pay respects at Diana’s burial site on an island in the estate’s grounds.
“It’s absolutely appalling,” said Margaret Thompson, who lives in nearby Great Brington. “The Spencer family do so much for this community. To think someone would deliberately destroy part of their heritage is sickening.”
The earl, who has meticulously maintained Althorp since inheriting it in 1992, has worked to preserve the estate’s historic buildings and open them to the public, using proceeds to fund conservation work.
Sources close to the family said Spencer was “deeply upset” by the apparent vandalism, particularly given his efforts to maintain the estate’s heritage for future generations.
“Charles takes his custodianship of Althorp very seriously,” one friend explained. Every building has history, and to see one destroyed by mindless vandalism is heartbreaking for him.
The destroyed farmhouse, while unoccupied, was reportedly a Grade II listed building dating from the 18th century, making its loss particularly significant from a heritage perspective.
Fire investigation officers were seen examining the ruins today, looking for evidence of how the blaze started. Initial reports suggest the fire took hold quickly, indicating possible use of accelerants.
“The intensity and spread pattern suggest this wasn’t accidental,” one fire service source said. We’re working closely with police to determine exactly what happened.
The incident has raised concerns about security at rural estates, which can be vulnerable to trespassers and vandals due to their size and remote locations.
“Protecting large estates is incredibly challenging,” explained security expert James Morrison. “Even with modern technology, it’s impossible to monitor every building on thousands of acres.”
Earl Spencer, a historian and author, has been custodian of Althorp since his father’s death, opening the house to visitors each summer and maintaining the estate as a working agricultural enterprise.
The estate gained global significance as Princess Diana’s final resting place, with her grave located on a small island in the Round Oval lake, accessible only to family members.
This latest incident adds to Spencer’s recent challenges. Last year, he revealed his diagnosis of a painful shoulder condition, and he has been open about the financial pressures of maintaining such a vast historic property.
“Running an estate like Althorp is enormously expensive,” he told an interviewer recently. “Every building needs constant maintenance. To lose one to vandalism is not just emotionally devastating but financially damaging.
Local MP Sarah Hughes condemned the attack, calling it “an assault on our local heritage” and promising to raise the issue of rural crime in Parliament.
“Historic estates like Althorp are part of our national story,” she said. “We must do more to protect them from mindless vandalism.”
The fire has prompted other estate owners to review their security arrangements, with several reporting increased patrols and new surveillance systems.
“If it can happen at Althorp, it can happen anywhere,” said one Cotswolds estate manager. “We’re all looking at our vulnerable buildings and asking if we’re doing enough.”
Earl Spencer has asked anyone with information about the fire to contact police, suggesting someone might have seen suspicious activity in the area.
“These estates are part of communities,” he wrote in a follow-up post. “If anyone saw anything unusual last night, please speak up. This affects all of us who care about preserving our heritage.”
The incident has sparked debate about penalties for heritage crime, with some calling for harsher sentences for those who damage historic properties.
“Destroying a listed building isn’t just vandalism – it’s erasing history,” said Helena Walsh from the Heritage Protection Alliance. “The sentences need to reflect that severity.”
As investigators continue their work, the charred remains of the farmhouse stand as a stark reminder of how quickly centuries of history can be reduced to ashes.
For Earl Spencer, who has dedicated his life to preserving his family’s legacy, the loss is particularly poignant. Friends say he was seen at the site early this morning, surveying the damage with visible distress.
“He stood there for a long time, just looking at what was left,” one estate worker said. “You could see how much it hurt him. This isn’t just property – it’s family history.”
The estate remains open to visitors, with Spencer determined not to let vandals disrupt the important work of maintaining Althorp for future generations.
“We won’t be deterred,” he wrote defiantly. “Althorp has survived 500 years. One act of vandalism won’t change that.”
Police have increased patrols around the estate and are reviewing CCTV from nearby roads. They’re particularly interested in any vehicles seen in the area between 10pm and midnight.
As the investigation continues, the Spencer family and local community are left to mourn the loss of another piece of Britain’s architectural heritage – destroyed not by time or neglect, but by what appears to be a deliberate act of destruction.
“Princess Diana loved every inch of this estate,” remembered former staff member Patricia Mills. She’d be heartbroken to see any part of it destroyed like this. Absolutely heartbroken.”
