Princess Diana's home to be wedding venue

Feb 13, 2006, 14:20 GMT

The home of Britain's Princess Diana will soon be available to hire as a wedding venue.

The Althorp House estate - where the late Princess of Wales is buried - has been opened up by her brother, Earl Spencer, for weddings, private parties and corporate events.

The venue is certain to become a hit with celebrities and wealthy businessmen.

The Earl turned down a request by Madonna to have her wedding to Guy Ritchie there in 2000, saying it was too complicated to arrange.

But now the venue will be available to hire for £50,000 and people will even spend the night in the bedroom where Diana once slept with Prince Charles.

And wedding parties will be able to have pictures taken in front of 'Diana's Temple', the former summerhouse beside the lake where the Princess was buried on an island.

It will be the first time Althorp has hosted functions since Diana's death in 1997.

The Earl is quoted in Britain's Daily Mail newspaper as saying: 'We will offer the very best of British history and tradition, the finest cuisines and a very high level of discreet yet friendly service'.

However, the news may fuel accusations that Earl Spencer is cashing in on Diana's memory.

Last month The Mail on Sunday revealed he had gone into partnership with a US firm to sell reproductions of Althorp furniture, with several items marketed as coming from the Princess of Wales's bedroom.

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