Princess Diana's brother receives touching 60th birthday gift to 'help him visit' late sister

Princess Diana's younger brother Charles, Earl Spencer, was deeply moved by a heartfelt birthday gift from a friend while he recently celebrated his 60th birthday.

The brother of the late Princess of Wales, took to social media to express his gratitude for the incredibly thoughtful present that honours the memory of his sister who tragically passed away back in 1997 after a car crash in Paris.

He posted photos of a handcrafted canoe and shared: "Today I turn 60. I had 30 friends and family to stay over the weekend... I was brought down to the lake at Althorp by a friend on Saturday."

He added: "Her husband handmade this astonishingly beautiful canoe for me, as a surprise, over many months. I cried on seeing it. It's almost too exquisite to paddle."

"The husband said: 'I just thought it'd be useful, when you visit your sister'. Such an overwhelmingly beautiful thought."

This gift holds profound significance as it enables the Earl to row across the Oval Lake at Althorp House in Northamptonshire to the island where his sister is laid to rest, OK! reports.

Earl Spencer has often spoken about preserving the memory of his sister and supporting her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, in a manner she would have done.

His commitment to their well-being was underscored in his memorable eulogy at Diana's funeral in 1997, where he pledged to protect his nephews from being overwhelmed by royal responsibilities.

The Earl, standing at the pulpit, pledged: "I pledge that we, your blood family, will do all we can to continue the imaginative way in which you were steering these two exceptional young men so that their souls are not simply immersed by duty and tradition but can sing openly as you planned."

"We fully respect the heritage into which they have both been born and will always respect and encourage them in their royal role but we, like you, recognise the need for them to experience as many different aspects of life as possible to arm them spiritually and emotionally for the years ahead. I know you would have expected nothing less from us."

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