Princess Diana's childhood home left to rot

Herald Sun

23-05-2025

King Charles has been slammed as 'disrespecting' Princess Diana's legacy as her childhood home falls into disrepair.
Diana was born at Park House on the Royals' Norfolk estate in 1961 and lived at the mansion until she was 14.
Photos obtained by the Mirror show the once grand property now appears to be abandoned, with overgrown grass, peeling window paint and stained bricks.
The outlet reports a dilapidated shed with a caved-in roof and smashed windows, while the swimming pool is surrounded by a metal fence to keep trespassers out.
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Locals reacted furiously and accused Charles of 'disrespecting' Diana's legacy.
Selina Raines, 38, who lives in the nearby village of Snettisham, told the Mirror: 'It's heartbreaking to learn how the house has been left.
'If locals were aware they would be shocked – but you can't see it [the house] from the road so very few know how it's been left, it's really sad.'
An unnamed barmaid, who lives on the estate, said: 'It's disrespectful – the house should be restored to how it was.
'The Estate houses that are hidden from public view don't get what they need.'
Diana lived at Park House, which her parents rented from the late Queen, until moving to the family's Northamptonshire stately home Althorp in 1975.
The 16-bedroom residence was later donated to charity Leonard Cheshire and ran as a respite hotel for adults with disabilities for over 30 years.
But in May 2021 the property was handed back to the estate after spiralling costs post-pandemic and has since remained empty.
Several locals told the Mirror they would like to see the house returned to a charity to support the community.
A retired occupational therapist, who worked with disabled residents at the house before it shuttered, said: 'It was marvellous – it's very sad [that it has been left to rot].
'Everything was beautiful, all the equipment was new and they had waiting lists.
'I would like to see it returned to what it was like back then, but I don't think with the health service we've got at the moment that it's going to happen.'
Park House is just 500 metres away from Charles' 150-bedroom Sandringham House.
Over the years, Charles has funded several projects on the estate.
Last June, the King was given the green light to open a 25-acre luxury glamping site, complete with 15 'safari tents' and a Motorhome Club campsite.
One local said: 'King Charles has money to put into his caravan site but not to put into the house Diana grew up in.'
'And in November the green-fingered monarch installed 2,000 solar panels in a bid to improve the estate's climate footprint.'
The Mirror approached Sandringham Estate and Buckingham Palace for comment.
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