Charles Spencer breaks silence after family death of 'exceptional brother-in-law'

Isabelle Casey
·2 min read
Diana's Brother Charles Earl Spencer And His Brother-in-law Sir Robert Fellowes At The Opening Of the Fountain
Diana's Brother Charles Earl Spencer And His Brother-in-law Sir Robert Fellowes At The Opening Of the Fountain (Tim Graham)

Charles Spencer honoured his "exceptional brother-in-law," Lord Fellowes, who has passed away at the age of 82.

The Queen's former courtier was married to Lady Jane Fellowes, Charles' elder sister. According to The Times, Princess Diana's brother-in-law died of undisclosed causes on July 29.

Earl Spencer with Sir William Fellowes, Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Spencer and Lady Sarah Macorquadale after the unveiling ceremony for the Princess Diana memorial fountain in London's Hyde Park
Earl Spencer with Sir William Fellowes, Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Spencer and Lady Sarah Macorquadale after the unveiling ceremony for the Princess Diana memorial fountain in London's Hyde Park (ARTHUR EDWARDS)

Taking to his official X account, the Ninth Earl Spencer reshared his doting family member's obituary alongside a heartfelt message.

He penned: "My absolutely exceptional brother-in-law, Robert, is no longer with us. A total gentleman - in all the best meanings of that word - he was a man of humor, wisdom, & utter integrity. I'm deeply proud to have been his brother-in-law."

Robert married Lady Jane Spencer in 1978, and following their wedding, they welcomed three children: Laura Fellowes, 44; Alexander Robert Fellowes, 41; and Eleanor Ruth Fellowes, 38. The former royal courtier is also a godfather to Princess Charlotte.

While Lord Fellowes was linked to the Firm through marriage, his family also has a deep history with the British royal family.

Queen Elizabeth II Watched By Diana's Brother Charles Earl Spencer His Sisters Lady Sarah Mccorquodale And Lady Jane Fellowes And His Wife Caroline Countess Spencer At The Opening Of The Fountain Built In Memory Of Diana,
Lord Fellowes was one of the Queen's courtiers and helped navigate her through some of her toughest years (Tim Graham)

Sir William 'Billy' Fellowes, Robert's father, was the land agent at Sandringham from 1936 to 1964, as well as a shooting companion of the Queen’s father, King George VI.

As for his mother, Jane, she was the daughter of Brigadier General Algernon Ferguson, a relative of Sarah Ferguson, who went on to become Duchess of York.

Princess Diana was a bridesmaid at Robert and Jane's wedding
Robert married Lady Jane Spencer in 1978 (PA Images)

Robert successfully assisted the late Queen Elizabeth through her "annus horribilis" in 1992 when three of the Queen's children got divorced, and when a fire broke out at Windsor Castle.

Lord Fellowes was working for the Queen when Princess Diana, his sister-in-law, died, and he was part of the small team that advised the Queen to return to London from Balmoral.

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He also, according to The Times, penned the first draft of the Queen's historic speech when she addressed the crowds as "your Queen, and as a grandmother" to the British public on the eve of Diana's funeral. The final version of this famous speech was written by Lord Fellowes, the Queen, and her private secretary, Sir Robin Janvrin.

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