Prince Harry has always maintained a strong connection with the Spencer side of his family. While many royal fans are aware of his close relationship with his uncle, Charles Spencer, fewer know about his deep bond with his rarely-seen cousin, Viscount Louis Spencer, who celebrated his 31st birthday on Friday.
Despite leading a very private life as an actor, Louis has always been supportive of Harry. He was one of the few family members to attend the Thanksgiving Service at St. Paul’s Cathedral last year, held in honor of Harry’s cherished Invictus Games.
A Special Moment Between Cousins
In 2018, a heartfelt moment between Harry and Louis was captured at the wedding of their cousin, Celia McCorquodale, to George Woodhouse. The cousins were seen standing together after sharing a hug, joined by Harry’s wife, Meghan Markle, who looked stunning in a blue and white patterned dress.
Who is Viscount Louis Spencer?
Louis, who generally avoids the spotlight, was named one of Britain’s most eligible bachelors by Tatler in 2019, described as “the tall and handsome brother of Lady Kitty Spencer.” Raised in Cape Town by his mother, Victoria Aitken—Charles Spencer’s first wife—he attended Diocesan College, the city’s most prestigious private school, before moving to the UK for further studies at Edinburgh University.
Pursuing his passion for acting, Louis later enrolled at ArtsEd drama school, where he graduated as Valedictorian and has since been building his acting career.
Although he has three older sisters—Lady Kitty, and twins Lady Amelia and Lady Eliza—Louis is set to inherit the family’s 13,000-acre Althorp House estate due to the tradition of primogeniture, which favors the eldest male heir. Despite the British monarchy abolishing this rule in 2015, his father, Charles Spencer, has chosen to uphold it. In an interview with The Telegraph, Charles remarked:
“Is it any fairer that the eldest child gets it instead of the eldest male? Whatever you say is a selection. You can’t make your children care—you just have to hope that something has bedded down when their turn comes.” He added that four of his seven children have shown interest in Althorp, which he considers “a good hit rate.”
