Royal Fans Can Visit Princess Diana's Memorial During Select Times and Dates Only
Oct. 1 2021, Updated 12:11 p.m. ET
One of the most ever-present stories surrounding The British Royal Family is the untimely death of Princess Diana. Although decades have gone by since she passed away, many are keeping her memory alive, including her sons, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Prince Harry, through various means.
Some supporters of Princess Diana and her family may want to visit her grave to celebrate her life and pay their respects. For a short period of time, the estate where she is buried made it possible for fans to get pretty close to doing just that. Here's what you need to know about where she's buried and how to go about visiting her grave.
Where is Princess Diana buried?
According to the BBC, Princess Diana is buried at her family home at the Althorp Estate. Initially, she was going to be laid to rest in her family's vault at a church in Great Brington, but her brother Charles, Ninth Earl Spencer, said he was concerned about her grave being so open to the public. He wanted a place for her sons to visit her privately and where things would be maintained, so he made the change.
To be more specific, Princess Diana is buried on an island in a lake called The Oval, located in the Althorp Pleasure Garden. There, she's surrounded by trees that have been planted by members of her family as well as by her.
According to the Althorp Estate's website, Charles has been in charge there for almost three decades. The home on its grounds has 500 years of history within its walls, and each room is said to have its own unique story.
Can you visit Princess Diana's grave?
The opportunity to visit the Althorp Estate and Princess Diana's memorial is only available during certain times that are predetermined by those who run the estate. As of now, there are no tickets available for purchase on their official website.
The royal family previously allowed visitors with advanced reservations to check out the grounds from July 1 to 4 and July 6 to August 30, 2021. Beyond those dates, the estate isn't open to the public during any other time of the year.
However, tickets to Althorp Estate aren't necessarily tickets to Diana's gravesite. In fact, no visitors are permitted direct access to Princess Diana's final resting place. The memorial that was erected for the public is all that is accessible, built across The Oval lake from where she is buried. With that being said, visitors are allowed to leave messages and gifts in that area.
Charles noted that there have been a few break-in attempts over the years, but they've all been unsuccessful.
"We've had four attempted break-ins toward her body in the last 20 years and I'm very glad we've seen all of them off," he told BBC Radio 4 (per The Mirror) in 2017. "There are some odd people out there and keeping her right here is the safest place."
The memorial temple has Princess Diana's name across the top, and features a black-and-white image of her, along with one of her quotes.
"Nothing brings me more happiness than trying to help the most vulnerable people in society," it says, per Parade. "It is a goal and an essential part of my life. A kind of destiny. Whoever is in distress can call on me. I will come running wherever they are."
