Lady Sarah McCorquodale, the elder sister of the late Princess Diana, has continuing influence in London’s royal nursery. Yet, as their auntie, the influence Her Late Majesty continues to exert on her grandson’s lives don’t stop there. Her life has played out with a stage of courts, crowns, and kinship obligations. Lady Sarah was raised at Park House on the Sandringham estate. Today, she resides in the family quarters at her home in Lincolnshire, a trip that is fitting testament to her life of privilege and service.
The daughter of a British earl, Lady Sarah was raised in an insulated, elite world. Her childhood had prepared her to maneuver through the delicate politics of court life. Her formative years at Park House provided the context for her subsequent life within the royal circle. In 1975, her family adopted their Althorp Estate home. This breathtaking estate with 90 rooms on 550 private acres makes them truly aristocratic.
A Brush with Royal Romance
In 1977, Lady Sarah was 22, and Prince Charles, 28, when she briefly dated him. The pair first met at the Royals’ annual Royal Ascot fête, the perfect setting for two members of such storied lineages to come together. During this time, Lady Sarah enjoyed the perks that came with being associated with the heir to the throne, including lavish invitations to Windsor and Balmoral.
Although romance blossomed rapidly, that enthusiasm would be as fleeting as the couples’ happy end. Lady Sarah’s relations with the royal family, never easy to begin with, turned hostile after she provided the interview to her two journalist friends. This move was clearly not well accepted by them. She reminisces with great affection about those first dates with Prince Charles. They had a wonderful time at polo matches, rambunctious country house parties and an amazing ski vacation together.
Life After Diana
After her sister’s horrific death in 1997, Lady Sarah took on the role of custodian for her family. As one of Princess Diana’s ladies-in-waiting, she routinely joined the royal on official visits across the globe. Her deeply personal experience with the royal family allowed her to keep an especially sharp connection. She even went so far as to secretly orchestrate the marriage between Prince Charles and Princess Diana, her claiming the title of “Cupid.”
On 17 May 1980, Lady Sarah married writer Neil Edmund McCorquodale. Together, they have a daughter, Emily McCorquodale. The newly married couple have recently moved back into the family home in Lincolnshire. They continually defend and promote the ideas of royal heritage and royal service.
Recent Engagements and Contributions
In the face of September 2024, Lady Sarah’s remarkable commitment to duty intensified. She joined Prince William to personally cheer on competitors at a Royal Air Force-sponsored engagement in Lincolnshire. Her participation at these events speaks volumes to her deep allegiance to her family’s noble public service. Matriarch of the Spencer clan, she wears that sash with pride.
As she navigates life as an aunt to two of the most prominent figures in British royalty today, Lady Sarah McCorquodale remains a vital link between past and present royal history. Her path from young person to adult looks like her own exceptional personal accomplishments. At its core, the story paints a picture of deep family ties that define her identity.
