Princess Diana’s Last Will and Testament: The Complex Inheritance of Her Sons

In 1993, four years prior to her tragic death, Princess Diana signed her last will and testament.

Naturally, she left many of her possessions to her two sons.

However, the process of acquiring this inheritance turned out to be far from simple.

At the time of her passing in August 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales, had an estimated net worth of £21 million, equivalent to approximately US$31.5 million.

This included her funds, stock investments, valuable items such as jewelry and clothing, and her £17 million divorce settlement from Prince Charles.

According to the documents she signed on June 1, 1993, her estate was divided among various individuals, including her long-time butler Paul Burrell and her numerous godchildren.

Unsurprisingly, her primary beneficiaries were her beloved sons, William and Harry.

It may come as a surprise to many that Prince William and Prince Harry have quite a few cousins.

While we are familiar with Peter Phillips, Zara Tyndall, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Lady Louise Windsor, Aunt James, and Viscount Severn from Prince Charles's side, what about their mother's side of the family?

Diana had three siblings, all of whom have children of their own, making Prince William and Prince Harry their first cousins.

Born into the aristocratic Spencer family, Diana grew up on the Althorp estate in Northampton, a grand 100,000-square-foot, 90-room home that will one day be inherited by Louis Frederick John Spencer, Viscount Althorp.

Tatler has dubbed him as a top eligible bachelor.

Louis, who bears a striking resemblance to his cousin Prince Harry, was born on March 14, 1994, to Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer, and Victoria Lockwood at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington.

He is the fourth child of the couple, who already had three daughters: Lady Kitty, Lady Eliza, and Lady Amelia.

Louis also has younger siblings from his father's subsequent marriages, namely Edmund, Lady Lara, and Lady Charlotte.

Growing up in Cape Town with his elder sisters, Louis later moved to the UK and studied at the University of Edinburgh.

His birth made him the poster boy for primogeniture, a historical rule that places a younger brother above any female heir in the line of succession.

However, the rules of primogeniture were altered in the Succession to the Crown Act 2013, eliminating the practice of younger brothers leapfrogging older sisters.

Although this change does not apply to the Spencer family, the oldest daughter, Lady Kitty Spencer, shared her thoughts on the matter.

She acknowledged that primogeniture can be a sensitive topic, as times and attitudes are evolving.

Lady Kitty expressed her confidence in her younger brother, stating that he will do an incredible job as the future 10th Earl Spencer.

Princess Diana's brother, the current Earl Spencer, also weighed in on the tradition in 2015.

While he would be comfortable with Kitty inheriting the earldom, he recognized that it would go against long-standing traditions.

The magnificent Althorp estate, built in 1508, spans an impressive 100,000 square feet and features 90 rooms, stunning grounds, and a portrait gallery.

In addition to Althorp, the Spencer family owns properties in London, Norfolk, Warwickshire, and South Africa.

After Louis Spencer's appearance at Prince Harry's wedding in 2018, many were curious about his relationship status.

Even award-winning singer Nicki Minaj became a fan after meeting him at a London show, sharing their encounter on Instagram and jokingly suggesting marriage.

Fans describe Louis as a reserved individual and a talented actor.

Princess Diana's last will and testament not only highlighted the complexities of her estate but also shed light on the extensive family ties that Prince William and Prince Harry have on both their father's and mother's sides.

As they navigate their lives and royal duties, their connections to their cousins and the future inheritance of the Althorp estate add another layer of complexity to their already fascinating story.