After Meghan’s family photos from Althorp divided opinion online, Earl Charles Spencer stayed silent publicly. But a new social media post from his household has led many to wonder whether he was sending a subtle message of support.

Princess Diana's brother makes surprising move after Meghan Markle's Althorp photo backlash
Princess Diana's brother makes surprising move after Meghan Markle's Althorp photos spark backlash

Princess Diana’s brother makes surprising move after Meghan Markle’s Althorp photos spark backlash© Harold Cunningham

Princess Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, appears to have quietly signaled support for Meghan Markle after the Duchess of Sussex faced criticism over photos taken during her family’s visit to Althorp House, the Spencer family’s historic estate and Diana’s final resting place.

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The subtle gesture comes as Meghan’s recent Instagram post sparked debate among royal watchers, with some questioning whether images connected to Princess Diana’s legacy should have been shared publicly.

Prince Harry and Prince Archie walk through the grounds of Althorp House carrying bouquets of flowers, with Princess Lilibet following behind during the family's emotional visit.

Prince Harry and Prince Archie walk through the grounds of Althorp House carrying bouquets of flowers, with Princess Lilibet following behind during the family’s emotional visit.

On July 23, Meghan posted a “Summer Holiday” photo carousel featuring Prince Harry, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet enjoying time together at Althorp House. One image showed the family holding flowers while visiting the estate, where Diana spent part of her childhood and where she was laid to rest following her death in 1997.

The post quickly generated mixed reactions online. While many praised the family’s tribute to Harry’s late mother, others accused Meghan of exploiting Diana’s memory or argued that such deeply personal moments should remain private.

Althorp House in Northamptonshire has been the ancestral home of the Spencer family for more than 500 years.

Althorp House in Northamptonshire has been the ancestral home of the Spencer family for more than 500 years.

According to multiple reports, the controversy also reportedly caused unease within royal circles. However, those reports have not been confirmed by Buckingham Palace or Kensington Palace.

Rather than publicly addressing the criticism, Charles Spencer appeared to respond in a far quieter way. Shortly after Meghan’s post, his wife, Dr. Cat Jarman, shared photographs from another deeply personal Spencer family gravesite with Charles’ reported agreement.

Princess Diana spent part of her childhood at Althorp House, where she was laid to rest following her death in 1997.

Princess Diana spent part of her childhood at Althorp House, where she was laid to rest following her death in 1997.

Instead of featuring Diana’s grave, the post documented a visit to the resting place of John Spencer, Charles and Diana’s older brother, who died shortly after birth in January 1960.

“Today, @charles.earl.spencer took me to see the grave of his brother, John Spencer, who died just after birth on January 12th 1960,” Jarman wrote alongside the images.

Meghan Markle's "Summer Holiday" Instagram post featuring her family's visit to Althorp House sparked widespread discussion among royal fans and critics.

Meghan Markle’s “Summer Holiday” Instagram post featuring her family’s visit to Althorp House sparked widespread discussion among royal fans and critics.

She explained that John was buried “in a quiet corner of the church of St Mary Magdalen, Sandringham, next to their grandfather,” adding that Charles had previously restored his brother’s headstone.

“The church is right next to Park House, where Charles and his siblings grew up,” she continued. “I loved seeing these parts of Norfolk where he had what sounds like a gloriously happy childhood!”

Lady Jane Fellowes and Earl Charles Spencer, Princess Diana's siblings, have remained among Prince Harry's closest relatives and are widely seen as part of his strongest family support system.

Lady Jane Fellowes and Earl Charles Spencer, Princess Diana’s siblings, have remained among Prince Harry’s closest relatives and are widely seen as part of his strongest family support system.

While the post never mentioned Meghan directly, many royal observers interpreted the timing as significant. By sharing their own family’s private visit to a Spencer gravesite, the couple appeared to reinforce the idea that respectfully documenting meaningful family memories on social media is not inherently inappropriate.

It also reflects the longstanding bond between Prince Harry and the Spencer family:

Following Diana’s death, Charles Spencer announced that his sister would be buried at Althorp rather than in a public royal location. “It has been decided to bury Diana, Princess of Wales, in the grounds of Althorp Park, where her grave can be properly looked after by her family and visited in privacy by her sons,” he said at the time.

Princess Diana's siblings, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Lady Jane Fellowes and Earl Charles Spencer, attend the opening of the Diana Memorial Fountain in London's Hyde Park.

Princess Diana’s siblings, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Lady Jane Fellowes and Earl Charles Spencer, attend the opening of the Diana Memorial Fountain in London’s Hyde Park.

Over the years, the Spencers have remained among Harry and Meghan’s most consistent supporters within Britain’s aristocratic circles.

Charles Spencer has maintained an occasionally strained relationship with the royal institution since delivering his widely remembered eulogy at Diana’s funeral in 1997, in which he criticized the treatment his sister received.

The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince William, Earl Spencer, Prince Harry and the Prince of Wales follow the coffin of Diana, Princess of Wales in September 1997.

The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince William, Earl Spencer, Prince Harry and the Prince of Wales follow the coffin of Diana, Princess of Wales in September 1997.

Although Charles Spencer has not directly commented on Meghan’s Instagram post, his family’s own social media activity has fueled speculation that, unlike some reported palace reactions, he sees no issue with sharing respectful moments connected to the Spencer family’s history and Princess Diana’s enduring legacy.