Earl Spencer, Family and Althorp Museum

[Princess Haya]

Diana shrine to close as interest wanes
By Chris Millar, Evening Standard
9 July 2004
The Princess Diana museum at her childhood home of Althorp is to close because of falling ticket sales.

Her brother Earl Spencer has decided to shut the exhibition featuring some of her clothes, school reports and letters.

The museum in the grounds of the Spencers' Northamptonshire estate was set up after the Princess's death in 1997 and drew 150,000 visitors paying £10.50 each in its first year and 140,000 in 2000. Last year 80,000 tickets were sold.

Earl Spencer's decision is said to have been finalised when he visited the Diana memorial fountain, which was opened this week in Hyde Park, after concluding that it would replace the museum as a focus for his sister's life. One source said Earl Spencer "has not taken the decision lightly". The source added: "But he realises things have moved on. There is not the level of interest there once was. It was never meant to be permanent." A final closure date has not yet been set.

Princes Harry and William have agreed with the decision and will receive the bulk of the items.

[Yennie]

too bad, I wanted to go there :(

[royal_sophietje]

It will not close, it is reported.

[Yennie]

It will not close, it is reported.

No? They changed their mind already??

[wymanda]

Earl Spencer could stand on a stack of bibles and I still wouldn't believe what he said!!!

[royal_sophietje]

Originally posted by wymanda@Jul 12th, 2004 - 9:56 am
Earl Spencer could stand on a stack of bibles and I still wouldn't believe what he said!!!

You have to believe him this time.

It is stated on the official website of Althorp that it will remain OPEN

YES !!!

[Lady Jean]

Maybe the Earl is saying this (making this threat) to drum up attendance for this year.

[sara1981]

REMIND!

Princess Diana's brother will interview with Larry King FINALLY!!!!!!!!! i found out on the computer please you would tune-up on the television to watch Diana's brother with Larry King on October 15th talking about Diana's life same and new after Diana's death.

please infomation on http://www.cnn.com - click to Larry King about Princess Diana's brother Charles Spencer dont forget!

I will watch on television on Princess Diana's brother

Sara Boyce

[sharon_rose]

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIP...15/lkl.01.html

transcript of the interview between Larry King and Charles Earl Spencer

LARRY KING, HOST: Tonight exclusive. Princess Diana as only her own brother could know her. Charles Spencer, her only brother in his only national interview shares unique and intimate memories of the woman behind the legend, the little girl he grew up who became the lady the world mourned, his sister the late Princess Diana.

Charles Spencer for the hour, exclusive and next on LARRY KING LIVE.

[maryshawn]

I didn't think it was all that interesting. Of course, I tuned in to watch but I also have a less than glowing reaction to anything Earl Spencer does given how often he let his sister down during her lifetime. The family footage shot by his father of a very young Diana was captivating. But his comments were not very revealing......same old, same old "rifts with Royal Family overplayed," "am here for my nephews but they don't find it all that much fun to be with a 40 year old uncle,"......Nothing earthshattering. It's nice the Diana exhibit is on the road (now in Florida). It would be interesting to find out how much of the proceeds go to Althrop and Earl Spencer and how much to her Fund. I did find one thing interesting--he said certain grand English homes like his with important art and such are required to be open 3 months a year anyway--and so he incorporated the Diana Museum to further increase interest and profits during those months. And I will also say the portions of the traveling exhibit looked very interesting--if it would come to the Midwest one day, I would make every effort to see it. Any other thoughts on the interview?

[corazon]

Somebody have the tape?

[sara1981]

Originally Posted by corazon

Somebody have the tape?

i got your messages i dont have video! sorry

Sara Boyce

[corazon]

ok, thanks!

[selrahc4]

Originally Posted by maryshawn

"am here for my nephews but they don't find it all that much fun to be with a 40 year old uncle

They DO, however find it fun to be with an 80+ grandfather.
Prince William in a November 2004 interview: "I'm very close to my grandfather. He makes me laugh. He's very funny."

[emily62_1]

Originally Posted by maryshawn

I didn't think it was all that interesting. Of course, I tuned in to watch but I also have a less than glowing reaction to anything Earl Spencer does given how often he let his sister down during her lifetime. The family footage shot by his father of a very young Diana was captivating. But his comments were not very revealing......same old, same old "rifts with Royal Family overplayed," "am here for my nephews but they don't find it all that much fun to be with a 40 year old uncle,"......Nothing earthshattering. It's nice the Diana exhibit is on the road (now in Florida). It would be interesting to find out how much of the proceeds go to Althrop and Earl Spencer and how much to her Fund. I did find one thing interesting--he said certain grand English homes like his with important art and such are required to be open 3 months a year anyway--and so he incorporated the Diana Museum to further increase interest and profits during those months. And I will also say the portions of the traveling exhibit looked very interesting--if it would come to the Midwest one day, I would make every effort to see it. Any other thoughts on the interview?

I can only add that when ,soon after her divorce, Di asked Charles, the brother to whom she has been a kind of mum, to spend some time at Althorp, her own family home, she wanted to rest, she was a wreck, she needed a brother 's affection and understanding, and a place where to hide, he flatly refused, OMG, how can he talk about di as he does now, when she for once in her life, did need his support and he let her down. what a hypocrite.....he even sent his 1st wife to a mental hospital as she was depressed, I heard he even abused her, don't know in what way.

[iowabelle]

Originally Posted by emily62_1

I can only add that when ,soon after her divorce, Di asked Charles, the brother to whom she has been a kind of mum, to spend some time at Althorp, her own family home, she wanted to rest, she was a wreck, she needed a brother 's affection and understanding, and a place where to hide, he flatly refused, OMG, how can he talk about di as he does now, when she for once in her life, did need his support and he let her down. what a hypocrite.....he even sent his 1st wife to a mental hospital as she was depressed, I heard he even abused her, don't know in what way.

I think, to be fair, he was concerned about security at Althorp. In addition to Diana and her children, he had to be concerned about his own family and Althorp. I'm not sure what it would have entailed to keep Diana safe from physical threats, but it might have been quite difficult to keep reporters away -- and his own children would have been the focus of those photographers too.

(On the negative side we also know that his marriage wasn't going well, he was cheating, and his wife had an eating disorder and substance abuse problems -- he might not have wanted media attention on that part of his life.)

[Harry's polo shirt]

Originally Posted by maryshawn

The family footage shot by his father of a very young Diana was captivating. But his comments were not very revealing......same old, same old "rifts with Royal Family overplayed," "am here for my nephews but they don't find it all that much fun to be with a 40 year old uncle,"......Nothing earthshattering

If he had new images or insults. everyone would say that he is trying to get attention from her memory. I think his museum is a fitting tribute to his sister, Since Diana was a huge part in his life. I also think that he did treat Diana unkindly in some ways while she was alive, but I also understand that Diana made the decision to marry Prince Charles; her brother did not force her. It was not his fault that Diana had all of her problems. I understand that he may not have wanted to punish his family because of her.

[iowabelle]

Originally Posted by Harry's polo shirt

If he had new images or insults. everyone would say that he is trying to get attention from her memory. I think his museum is a fitting tribute to his sister, Since Diana was a huge part in his life. I also think that he did treat Diana unkindly in some ways while she was alive, but I also understand that Diana made the decision to marry Prince Charles; her brother did not force her. It was not his fault that Diana had all of her problems. I understand that he may not have wanted to punish his family because of her.

You're right, how could HE have forced Diana into the marriage? He was only about 17 at the time.

[purple_platinum]

i can't seem to find the thread for Earl Spencer & his wife, but since this concern 'althorp', i thought i would post it here...

January 6, 2006
Earl Spencer and his wife present "Althorp Living History"
(from goff photos)

[purple_platinum]

several more from goff