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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Jennifer Newton

Prince Harry's 'super private' cousin who will inherit Princess Diana's family estate

Princes William and Harry have a host of well-known cousins who live their lives in the spotlight.

But they also have some who lead very private lives - including a younger cousin, who is set to one day inherit Princess Diana's 13,500-acre family estate, despite having three older sisters.

Louis Spencer, also known as Viscount Althorp, is the oldest son of Earl Spencer, the brother of Princess Diana.

He was born in 1994 in Cape Town and has three older sisters Lady Kitty Spencer, Lady Amelia Spencer and Lady Eliza Spencer.

Louis, who went to the University of Edinburgh, is reportedly close to both William and Harry, despite him being a fair few years their junior.

Louis Spencer with his mum Victoria Aitken and sister Lady Eliza Spencer at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in 2018 (Getty Images)

The 27-year-old has been described as 'super private' as well as 'decent and kind'.

He's even been dubbed ' Prince Harry lite' and was once called one of the world's most eligible bachelors.

A friend of Louis told the Telegraph: "He’s super private and gets on quietly with his thing. He’s a very talented actor and, I think, will be a brilliant one.

Louis is said to be close to his cousins Princes William and Harry (Getty Images)

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"You’d like him. He’s very low-key and genuine, decent and kind – and tall."

His status as the eldest son of Earl Spencer will see him one day inherit the Grade I-listed stately home of Althorp House in Northamptonshire and the earldom.

Louis with his mum and sister Lady Kitty Spencer (Getty Images Europe)
Louis as a young boy at the opening of the Princess of Wales Memorial Playground (Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

And it's believed he has already started getting ready to take over and has been to a number of trustees' meetings.

Measuring 100,000 sq ft, Althorp House boasts 90 rooms and a portrait gallery.

Following Diana's death in 1997 she was buried on a small island on the wider estate in the middle of the ornamental Round Oval lake.

Louis with his three sisters and father Earl Spencer (Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

Although the monarchy has now changed to put sons and daughters on an equal footing in terms of ascending to the throne, British primogeniture law has not been changed for peers such as dukes and earls.

This means Louis will inherit Althorp rather than his oldest sister Kitty, who married 63-year-old businessman Michael Lewis in a grand ceremony in Italy last year.

In a previous interview, Kitty, 31, said: "Primogeniture can be a tricky topic because as times are changing, attitudes are as well.

"We've grown up understanding that it's Louis to inherit, and Louis will do an incredible job."

Meanwhile, her father Earl Spencer suggested it would go against the tradition of Althorp House to overlook his son.

He said in 2015: "I would be totally relaxed about Kitty inheriting it, but... if I chose Kitty it would be against all the tradition that goes with Althorp."

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