Princess Diana's brother is creating controversy again after throwing open the doors to his sister's ancestral home - even allowing guests to sleep in a bed she once shared with Prince Charles. For the bargain price of £30,000 you can stay overnight at Althorp.
After Diana's death in 1997, Charles Spencer closed Althorp to the public, but now the gates have reopened in a bid to make money to maintain the grand estate. The venue, which is located in Northamptonshire about 90-minute drive north of London, proves to be a popular, if not controversial, tourist attraction and comes complete with souvenir shop, snack bar and a merry-go-round. Diana's famous wedding gown is also on display for those wanting to reminisce.
In a special promotion to American Express’ ultra-exclusive Centurion cardholders, Spencer advertised that guests could have unlimited access to the estate. They could even sleep in the Princess of Wales’ room – a room Diana once shared with Prince Charles. However, Diana’s burial site on Althorp’s island is out of bounds.
Spencer has backed his decision to let the 500-year-old estate. “Althorp has hosted corporate and private hospitality for clients for 30 years,” he said in a statement. “This is a normal way of helping with the upkeep of an historic house.”
A Spencer spokesperson says it now costs about half-a-million pounds a year to maintain Althorp. The pricey parties and rentals also help make up for declining visitors to the Northamptonshire estate.
Althorp is open to the public from July 1st to September 30th, except for August 31st, the anniversary of Diana's death.
Story: Angela Erini and AP
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