Lady Sarah McCorquodale, the eldest sister of Princess Diana, has been hospitalized after a serious horse-riding accident. Her brother, Earl Spencer, shares an update on her recovery.
Lady Sarah McCorquodale, the eldest sister of Princess Diana, has been hospitalized after sustaining serious injuries in a horse-riding accident. The accident, which occurred within the past month, was confirmed by her brother, Earl Spencer, during a podcast interview with Gyles Brandreth on October 27, 2025.
The Accident and Recovery Challenges
Earl Spencer, who has always been close to his sister, shared the news of the accident, describing it as a challenging time for the family. “Sarah, who is 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 revealed.
The recovery process has been difficult, with Earl noting that Sarah has been a “demanding patient” during her hospitalization. He humorously recalled how the lead physician diplomatically remarked to Sarah’s husband, Neil McCorquodale, saying: “She’s quite a character, isn’t she?” — an apparent reference to her spirited personality.
A Strong and Resilient Woman
Despite the setback, Lady Sarah’s resilience is well-known. She has been a significant figure in the royal family, both as Princess Diana’s older sister and as the maternal aunt to Prince William and Prince Harry. Known for her strong family bonds, Lady Sarah led a relatively private life compared to her late sister, Diana, but maintained close ties to aristocratic circles through her marriage to Neil McCorquodale.
In her earlier years, Lady Sarah was also part of the royal spotlight, famously dating Prince Charles before he married her younger sister. It was Lady Sarah who played a role in introducing Charles to Diana, a connection that led to their eventual marriage.
The Spencer Family’s Reflections on Diana’s Legacy
As Lady Sarah faces her recovery, the Spencer family continues to reflect on Princess Diana’s life and legacy. Earl Spencer, particularly, marks the anniversary of Diana’s death by visiting her grave at Althorp Estate with his children, gathering flowers to honor her memory. He has also spoken publicly about the controversy surrounding Diana’s funeral, particularly the decision to have Prince William and Prince Harry walk behind their mother’s coffin.
“I was very anti-it. I thought it was terrible. It wasn’t [Prince Philip’s] decision to do it,” Earl Spencer said, acknowledging the difficulty of the moment but also recognizing that Prince Philip played a calming role on the day of the funeral.
Lady Sarah’s Adventurous Spirit
Even in her 70s, Lady Sarah has remained active and adventurous, continuing her passion for horseback riding, which tragically led to her recent accident. Her strength and determination throughout her life, including through difficult moments like this, have made her a beloved figure within the royal family and among those who know her story.
Our thoughts are with Lady Sarah McCorquodale as she recovers from her injuries, and we wish her a speedy and full recovery.
