Name change for Diana's family home

Earl of Spencer makes Althorp easier to say

The family of Diana, Princess of Wales, is changing the way its ancestral home is pronounced because visitors struggle to say it properly.

The Northamptonshire estate has been pronounced "Altrop" by the Spencer family for generations.

But increasing confusion among the thousands of people who visit it to see the last resting place of Diana prompted Earl Spencer to decide it should be spoken as it reads.

Althorp is Diana's last resting place

Shelley-Anne Claircourt, spokeswoman for the Earl, said the name of the estate has always caused confusion.

"We decided at a recent planning meeting to change the pronunciation to Althorp with immediate effect.

"The staff now answer the telephone Althorp, so it has changed over very quickly.

"Earl Spencer suggested the change because it's a new millennium and the name has always been a source of confusion, so it would be much simpler to call it Althorp."

The estate's general manager, David Horton-Fawkes, said the Earl accepts most people call it Althorp so decided to make the change.