Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Princess Diana’s elder sister, has been hospitalized after sustaining serious injuries in a recent horseback riding accident. The 70-year-old is reportedly undergoing a challenging recovery.
A Difficult Recovery
The incident, said to have taken place “within the past month,” was confirmed by her brother, Earl Spencer, during an appearance on the podcast Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth.
“Sarah, who’s almost a decade older than me and has always had a knack for getting into trouble, had a really bad fall last month and has been in hospital for some time,” he shared.
Earl Spencer described his sister’s recovery as tough, noting that doctors have found her to be a “demanding patient.” He recalled a humorous moment when the lead physician made a subtle remark to Sarah’s husband, Neil McCorquodale:
“The lead doctor said to my brother-in-law, ‘She’s quite a character, isn’t she?’ which I think is code for, ‘Could you take her home?’”
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Royal Connections and Family Ties
Lady Sarah is well known for her close connection to the royal family. Before Diana’s marriage to Prince Charles, Lady Sarah briefly dated the then-Prince herself — and it was she who introduced him to her younger sister, leading to one of the most iconic royal unions in modern history.
Now the maternal aunt of Princes William and Harry, Lady Sarah has long maintained a low profile, living a private life with her husband Neil McCorquodale, a landowner, while remaining active in aristocratic circles.
Reflecting on Diana’s Legacy
Earl Spencer also spoke about the continued public fascination with Princess Diana’s life and death — something he admits can be emotionally challenging.
“Occasionally, total strangers come up and feel they must tell me where they were when they heard she died,” he said. “I’m sure that’s helpful to them, but it’s not entirely helpful to everyone else.”
He recalled one encounter with an American woman who embraced him and told him she “grew up with Diana” — despite living in South Dakota.
The Spencer family continues to honor Diana’s memory each year. Earl Spencer visits her gravesite at Althorp Estate with his children, bringing flowers to her resting place.
Remembering the Funeral
He also reflected on one of the most painful moments following Diana’s death — the decision to have her young sons, William and Harry, walk behind her coffin during the funeral procession.
“I was very anti-it. I thought it was terrible,” he admitted. “It wasn’t [Prince Philip’s] decision to do it. But, actually, on the day, he was a calming presence.”
In his memoir Spare, Prince Harry later recalled that his uncle had called the decision a “barbarity” and refused to allow William to walk alone.
A Strong and Spirited Woman
Despite her injuries, Lady Sarah remains known for her resilience and adventurous spirit. Even in her 70s, she continues to pursue her passion for horse riding — a pastime that unfortunately led to her current hospitalization.
Our thoughts and best wishes go out to Lady Sarah McCorquodale for a smooth and speedy recovery.
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