Prince William and Harry: Rare picture of their grandfather revealed by Lady Diana’s brother

Charles Spencer is the brother of the late Princess Diana, Prince William and Prince Harry’s mother. He took to Instagram this week to share an image of his and Diana’s late father, John Spencer.

A young John Spencer

If you were hoping for a photograph, you might be disappointed - it’s actually a line drawing. Prince William and Prince Harry’s maternal grandfather John is depicted as a young boy, riding a horse in the grounds of the Spencer family’s ancestral home, Althorp. He wears a suit and hat and is looking at the viewer.

Earl Spencer posted the sketch on Twitter on Monday 16 January with the caption:

My father riding on his pony, Bluebell, in the Park at Althorp, in 1934. Behind them, The Falconry - built in 1613, for one week's entertainment for visitors to the House.

Just three days earlier, Charles Spencer shared a black and white photo of his grandfather, Albert, his great-aunt Lavinia and his great-uncle Cecil at a fancy dress party in 1902. He captioned the image posted on 13 January:

Love the family photographs I find here at Althorp. My grandfather (left), my great-aunt Lavinia (middle) and my great-uncle Cecil, about to set off for a fancy dress party in c.1902.

Royal fans noticed the resemblance between the Earl's grandfather, Prince William, and Prince George. One person commented on Twitter:

Your grandfather, Prince William and Prince George look a lot alike! A really charming photo

While others believe there is a similarity between Lavinia and Princess Diana. One wrote:

Lavinia; I can see Diana in her expression. Great photos! Treasured memories.

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Waiting for Charles Spencer to comment

Royal followers have been waiting to see if Charles Spencer will comment on the feud between Prince Harry and the Royal Family. However, he remains tight-lipped.

If Earl Spencer does decide to comment, it might be on the video series he has launched with his wife, Karen. The series gives fans a sneak peek behind the scenes of their historical home Althorp, where they live with their daughter Lady Charlotte and where Princess Diana was laid to rest.

Althorp is a 500-year-old home and was actually the place where Lady Diana met the then-Prince Charles for the very first time when he was invited to the family home by her and Charles' sister, Sarah Spencer. The property is scheduled to reopen for visitors in the summer of 2023.

Sources used:

- Hello!: Charles Spencer shares unique image of Prince William and Prince Harry's grandfather – fans react

- Hello!: Charles Spencer shares touching family photo amid release of Spare

- Daily Mail: Princess Diana's brother Charles Spencer shares a sweet photo of his grandfather in 1902 - and fans go wild for the family resemblance to a young Prince William

- Hello!: Charles Spencer's wife Karen expresses concern with photos of Princess Diana's resting place