Prince Harry Reveals Why Meghan Wanted ‘Private Moment’ at Mom Diana’s Grave: ‘Her Eyes...'

Prince Harry once took Meghan Markle to visit his late mother's grave at Althorp estate, Princess Diana's childhood home in Northampton. Harry admitted that taking his then-girlfriend, Markle, to meet his mother was something very significant. He also shared that it was equally important for Markle, who wanted a 'private moment' at the grave.

Harry was only 12 when Diana passed away in August 1997, at 36, in Paris. Following her tragic death, her brother Charles Spencer decided to bury her on an island in Althorp to discourage trespassers. On Diana’s 20th death anniversary, Harry took Markle, whom he had been dating for a year, for a visit. In his tell-all memoir, Spare, Harry detailed the events of the day. According to Royal Insider, Harry recounted sensing Markle needing a 'private moment' with his mother, and leaving her to it. Upon returning to the grave, he saw Markle sitting with her eyes closed. He wrote, “When I returned, she was on her knees with her eyes closed and her palms flat against the stone.” The Duchess of Sussex later shared with Harry how she asked Diana for ‘clarity and guidance’ as she started her royal journey.

As Harry couldn't introduce Markle to his mother, he chose to take her to meet Diana's siblings — Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Lady Jane Fellowes, and Charles Spencer, hoping they would see what he saw in Markle: an eerie resemblance to his mother. However, he allegedly was told by the Spencer siblings that Markle did not have any similarities with Diana. Moreover, Spencer, much like William, had instead warned Harry against rushing into his marriage. This reportedly left Harry very disheartened.

Harry last visited his mother’s grave in 2024, during his short visit to the UK to pay respects to his uncle Lord Fellows, Diana’s brother-in-law, at his funeral in Norfolk. He allegedly refused his father’s offer to stay with him and instead stayed with his uncle. One of Spencer’s friends told the Daily Beast, “Harry visited the grave when he was in Althorp. It’s a very special place for all the family, but especially Harry. It was a significant part of his motivation for staying there.” Diana’s grave could be reached only by a small rowing boat.

Recently, one of the farmhouses in Althorp House was set on fire by vandals. Spencer took to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle to confirm the incident. He wrote, “Stunned to learn that one of ⁦@AlthorpHouse⁩’s farmhouses—fortunately, unoccupied at the time—was apparently burnt down by vandals last night. With thanks to @northantsfire⁩ for doing their very best. So very sad that anyone would think this a fun thing to do."