Charles Spencer shares never-before-seen intimate photo of Princess Diana as he reminisces on ‘proud’ childhood moment

Princess Diana’s brother Earl Spencer has today revealed an unseen photograph of the royal from the 1960s.

Charles, 61, who runs his family’s estate, Althorp, in Northamptonshire, took to his Instagram page this morning to share the sweet black-and-white image from his childhood with his 279,000 followers.

In the snap, the British author and his sister, King Charles’ ex wife, who died on 31 August 1997 after a car crash in Paris, are seen proudly displaying their swimming awards by the swimming pool at their childhood home in Sandringham.

‘We were never out of that pool,’ the Earl revealed in the caption of his post, adding the hashtags ‘childhood memories, proud achievement and learning to swim’.

Starting his post, he wrote: ‘A long ago summer, by the swimming pool at our childhood home, Park House, Sandringham – Diana and I both proudly showing off our swimming badges (sewn onto our swimming costumes).

‘These were awarded (sparingly) by Mrs Lansdowne, a fairly terrifying but very gifted swimming instructor, who came to stay each year.’

Park House, in the Sandringham estate, is where Diana was born on July 1, 1961, when her family were renting it from Queen Elizabeth II.

The royal continued living there until she was aged 14 in 1976 when she moved to her family’s stately home Althorp House after her father John inherited his title Earl Spencer.

Commenting on Charles’ post, royal fans couldn’t hide their delight as they thanked the Earl for sharing the previously unseen photograph.

‘Thanks for showing us this picture. Your sister is missed every day,’ wrote one person. Another said: ‘What a magical picture.’

A third added: ‘Thank you for showing private moments of your childhood with your beautiful Diana. Then she became the country’s most beautiful princess who is so missed.’

Charles’ post isn’t the first time he’s delighted royal fans with a photograph of his sister.

To mark what would have been her 64th birthday in July, the Earl shared a previously unseen image of the royal that was taken on the occasion of her sixth birthday in 1967. 

The black-and-white snap posted on Instagram showed Diana enjoying a camel ride at her birthday party.

Charles captioned the picture: ‘Another July 1st from long ago – 1967, in fact: for Diana’s sixth birthday party, my father (standing, left) – to huge excitement – secured the services of Bert the Camel from Peterborough Zoo.’ 

The photo showed the late Earl John Spencer beaming proudly at his youngest daughter Diana, as she flashed a grin at the cameras. 

Charles’s post was flooded with comments from royal fans and well-wishers as they declared the late Princess is ‘dearly missed’ to this day. 

‘Happy birthday our precious queen of hearts,’ one message read. ‘Your soft voice, your unconditional love for people, your grace and elegance is why we will never forget you.’ 

Another person wrote: ‘A cherished memory. Your tribute at Althorp helps her live on for all of us.’

‘She is absolutely dearly missed,’ a third comment read. ‘What an inspiration she was and it’s unbelievable how much more and more young people relate to her and love her.  Her legend and influence keeps growing.’ 

Another noted she looked ‘so happy with her siblings and father’, while a fifth fan added: ‘Happiest birthday in heaven, our beloved Queen! I am still sad you’re no longer with us. Eternal rest our lovely Diana.’

The post came just days after the Earl shared another Spencer family photo that was taken in 1989 around the time of their father’s birthday, when the mother of Prince William and Prince Harry would have been 27. 

Along with John, the picture featured Charles and Diana’s stepmother Raine Spencer, as well as Diana’s sisters, Jane and Sarah.  

They were all stood at the bottom of the stairs of Althorp House, their estate in Northampton that has been in the Spencer family for over 500 years. 

Captioning the social media post, Charles wrote: ‘Trying to remember what this rather formal family photograph was for – it shows my sisters and brothers in law, flanking my father and stepmother, at the base of the main staircase (in the central hallway, known as the Saloon) at Althrop House in the late ‘80s. 

‘Perhaps it was something to do with my father’s 65th birthday, in January 1989?

‘Definitely an ‘80s air to it all…. I’m always intrigued by interior shots from Althorp’s past. Those huge candelabra are no longer on the staircase, and the Saloon’s walls are now white.’