Lady Sarah McCorquodale, the eldest sister of the late Princess Diana, is recovering after a serious fall from her horse last month, as revealed by her brother, Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer. Speaking on the Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth podcast on October 24, 2025, Charles, 61, shared that Lady Sarah, 70, had been hospitalized for an extended period due to the severity of her injury. He described her as “quite a handful” during her hospital stay, noting that her doctor humorously remarked to her husband, Neil McCorquodale, that Sarah was “quite a character.” Charles suggested that the comment might have been a subtle plea for her to go home.
Despite the challenging recovery, a friend of Lady Sarah confirmed to PEOPLE that she is “on the mend,” offering a hopeful update on her health. Known for her resilience, Lady Sarah’s adventurous spirit has been evident throughout her life. Growing up at the Spencer family estate, Althorp, she was known for her daring and bold nature. Charles recalled a particularly memorable moment from their childhood when Sarah, during an argument with their father, decided to ride her horse straight into the hall of their family home and remained there, much to the astonishment of her family.
Lady Sarah’s bond with her nephews, Prince William and Prince Harry, has remained strong over the years, and she has been a consistent presence in their lives. In September 2024, she made a rare public appearance alongside William at RAF Cranwell, where he was honoring graduates at the flight school where he had trained. In addition to her close relationship with her nephews, Lady Sarah played a key role in the commissioning and management of the statue of her late sister, Princess Diana, which was unveiled in 2021. On what would have been Diana’s 60th birthday, Sarah joined her siblings, Charles and Lady Jane, to attend the unveiling ceremony at Kensington Palace, with Prince William and Harry present. Despite his move to California, Harry returned for the poignant occasion.
Lady Sarah also attended the christening of Harry and Meghan Markle’s son, Prince Archie, in 2019, further demonstrating her continued involvement in the royal family’s milestones. These moments of connection highlight the ongoing importance of Lady Sarah in the royal circle, as well as the enduring legacy of her late sister, Diana.
The Spencer family has faced profound loss, most notably the tragic death of Princess Diana in 1997. Charles also reflected on the task of delivering one of the most memorable eulogies of the 20th century for his sister. During his podcast interview, he shared the personal story of how he initially struggled to find the right person to deliver Diana’s eulogy. After an unsuccessful search through his address book, Charles called his mother from Heathrow Airport, only to be told that he would be the one to speak. This touching moment underscores the deep familial bonds within the Spencer family, with Charles ultimately honoring his sister in one of the most moving tributes of the time.
Lady Sarah’s recovery from her fall and the ongoing support from her family reinforce the enduring sense of closeness within the Spencer family, despite the many years that have passed since their shared heartbreak. As she continues to heal, Lady Sarah remains an important figure not only in her family’s history but also in the lives of the royal family, with whom she has remained closely connected through the years.
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