Charles Spencer's poignant childhood anecdote about Princess Diana will bring tears to your eyes
Charles Spencer reveals that his late sister, Diana, Princess of Wales was "always very protective" over him, particularly in their childhood years and even insisted on checking on her little brother on his first day at school.
In an exclusive interview with HELLO! Canada, the 9th Earl Spencer says that he and Diana, who were less than three years apart in age, grew especially close following their parents' divorce.
"My mother [Frances] left home when we were young – I was two or three, and Diana would have been five or six – so we were very much in it together," he says.
Their tight-knit bond is portrayed, too, in the opening chapter of Charles's new memoir, A Very Private School, released earlier this month, during which he shares a touching anecdote about his first day at Silfield – the Norfolk school that he and Diana both attended before being sent off to their respective boarding schools.
According to their former teacher Miss Lowe, Diana was ever the supportive sister that day and "just wouldn't settle" in class until she knew her little brother was OK.
Learn more about Charles Spencer
Princess Diana's brother Charles Spencer reveals reason for 'endless nightmares'
Charles Spencer's children: everything you need to know about the Earl of Spencer family life
Princess Diana's siblings - everything to know about Charles Spencer and more
After she'd been given permission to go and check on him in his classroom, the future People's Princess returned with a "beaming smile" before declaring, with relief in her voice, "Thank you, Charles seems to be doing fine!"
The brief but poignant story is an early illustration of Diana’s compassionate nature, for which she was later beloved by millions around the world.
To read the full interview, pick up the latest issue of HELLO! Canada magazine out on newsstands today.
The Earl, who is custodian of the Spencer family's ancestral seat, Althorp, in Northampton regularly shares anecdotes about his beloved sister, Diana, on his popular Instagram account.
Earlier this week, Charles, 59, shared a photograph of mementos from Park House, where he and Diana grew up as children.
The sweet snap showed two bedroom door nameplates, with Diana's surrounded by pink roses and Charles's featuring blue flowers.
Giving context to the special decorations, Charles penned in the caption: "The early part of my childhood memoir, A Very Private School, deals with the happy early years I enjoyed at Park House - home to me for my first 11 years.
"My father had vibrant nameplates on his children’s bedroom doors there - I must find those with 'Sarah' and 'Jane' on them."
LISTEN: Our Right Royal Podcast discusses the Palace's PR crisis...
LOVE THE ROYALS? JOIN THE CLUB!
If you are reading this, the chances are you are obsessed with all things royalty – which is just as well because so are we! So obsessed, in fact, we’ve launched a club solely dedicated to covering them. So welcome to The HELLO! Royal Club. We would love you to join us there…
What is it?
Interactive community offering behind-the-scenes access, exclusive royal interviews, unmissable royal insights, and an illustrious royal Inner Circle.
Member benefits
Two weekly newsletters, one from Emily Nash
Video posts and audio notes from Emily Nash and the HELLO! Royal team
Access to our royal community and opportunity to interact with club writers and members
Participate in polls, comments and discussion threads
Access to our Ask Me Anything sessions with our journalists
Invitations to in-person and virtual events
A subscription to the digital edition of HELLO! Magazine (Worth £82 annually)*
Future ‘Inner Circle’ benefits
By royal decree
You are royally invited to join The HELLO! Royal Club – and then to go forth and spread the word to your fellow royal fans. See you in the club!