Earl Spencer takes legal action over Michael Gove’s podcast claims about Diana
Earl Spencer, uncle of Princes William and Harry, has begun legal action over a podcast in which former Cabinet minister Michael Gove claimed the Earl refused to let Princess Diana stay at his Althorp estate in summer 1997. The podcast also alleged Spencer was on "bad terms" with Diana when she died and was "monetising her death" through his memoir. Spencer's legal action represents a high-profile dispute over claims about his relationship with the late princess.
Spencer has demanded the podcast be removed and provided a detailed denial through his spokesman. He states Diana never requested to stay that summer, and Althorp was open to the public throughout those months anyway. Spencer further claims he offered Diana multiple accommodation options including a dozen homes on the Althorp estate and Wormleighton Manor, the family's ancestral home, following her marriage breakdown, demonstrating his support rather than rejection.
- Spencer suing over claims he refused Diana access to Althorp estate in 1997
- He denies the allegations and says Diana never asked to stay there
- He claims he actually offered her multiple homes on the property
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Earl Spencer is the brother of the late Princess Diana and uncle to Princes William and Harry. He has been a public figure since Diana's death in 1997, particularly regarding his role as custodian of Althorp, the family's stately home.
Former Cabinet minister Michael Gove has made claims in a podcast about Spencer's relationship with Diana shortly before she died in 1997. The podcast alleged that Spencer refused Diana accommodation at Althorp that summer, that they were on poor terms, and that Spencer has since been monetising her death through his memoir.
Spencer has denied these claims, stating that Diana never requested to stay at Althorp and that he had offered her multiple accommodation options after her marriage breakdown. The dispute reflects the enduring public interest in Diana's life and legacy, and the sensitivity around claims concerning her final months and those closest to her.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Gove might argue that Spencer's accounts of offering accommodation were strategic moves after initial refusal, or that Spencer's reported business activity around Diana's memory represented capitalisation on her death. Questions about whether a family member who initially declined to support Diana is later profiting from her legacy are matters of legitimate historical and biographical interest, and public discourse on such matters should not be chilled by litigation threats.
The case against
Spencer has provided specific, documented refutations: Diana never requested to stay at Althorp that summer, the estate was open to the public throughout, and he actively offered his niece multiple properties on the estate and his family's ancestral home, demonstrating clear support rather than refusal. These verifiable facts undermine the podcast's characterisation of him as unwilling to help Diana, and he has the right to defend his reputation through legal means when false claims are made about him.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “RICHARD EDEN: Earl Spencer ‘to sue Michael Gove over podcast Diana claim’”.