A luxury Cape Town estate, where the late Princess Diana spent time with her family before her historic meeting with Nelson Mandela in 1997, has been put up for sale for R150 million.
Tarrystone Estate, situated in Upper Constantia just off Southern Cross Drive, is being offered in a discreet, off-market sale, with the asking price reportedly an eye-watering $9 million.
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If the property achieves that price, it could set a new residential sales record for the sought-after suburb, surpassing a previously reported record sale of R120 million.
The estate was once owned by Diana’s younger brother, Earl Charles Spencer, who sold it in 2012.
Inside the R150 million estate
The property reportedly covers approximately 8 040m² and includes a 10-bedroom main residence, guest cottages, two vineyards, a swimming pool, tennis court and private cinema.
One of its most notable features is a secluded thatched cottage where Diana reportedly stayed during visits to South Africa.
The cottage has retained much of its original character, with Princess Diana’s bedroom reportedly remaining largely unchanged despite renovations elsewhere.
A source familiar with the property said that Spencer had reserved the cottage exclusively for his sister.
“The cottage was set aside by Earl Spencer to be used only by Diana and nobody else stayed there,” the source said.
The estate also features a collection of African art and offers views of the surrounding mountains and False Bay.
Princess Diana’s historic meeting with Nelson Mandela
Tarrystone has a significant connection to Princess Diana’s final visit to South Africa, around six months before she tragically died in a car accident in Paris.
During her visits, the princess used the estate as a private retreat away from the attention that accompanied her royal life. Her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, also reportedly visited the property in 1996.
On 17 March 1997, Diana met then-President Nelson Mandela at his Cape Town residence for a discussion about the HIV/AIDS crisis.
The meeting took place just months before her death and focused on raising awareness and challenging discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS.
Afterwards, Princess Diana expressed her willingness to support efforts to combat the disease and the stigma surrounding it.
Mandela praised her work, particularly her visits to people living with HIV/AIDS and her willingness to shake their hands at a time when stigma remained widespread.
Although the meeting took place at Mandela’s residence rather than Tarrystone, the estate remains closely associated with Diana’s South African visits.
Could Tarrystone set a new Constantia property record?
The R150 million asking price would put Tarrystone among Cape Town’s most expensive residential properties.
The estate’s historical connections, extensive grounds and luxury facilities are expected to form part of its appeal to prospective buyers.
Greeff Christie’s International Real Estate is handling the sale, with property specialist Lynne Baker highlighting the property’s royal connection and historical provenance.
“The estate’s royal significance gives it a level of provenance,” Baker said.
The listing also comes amid activity in Cape Town’s luxury property market. According to figures cited by Financial Mail, 198 homes sold for more than R20 million during 2026, compared with 190 during the whole of 2025.
As reported by The South African, the average selling price in Constantia Upper in 2026 is R23 million, making it the joint-third most expensive suburb in South Africa behind Clifton and Llandudno.
Whether Tarrystone achieves its expected R150 million price remains to be seen, but a successful sale at that level would mark a significant milestone for the Upper Constantia property market.
FEATURES
Interior
Bedrooms – 10
Bathrooms – 10
Kitchens – 1
Reception Rooms – 6
Studies – 2
Exterior
Garages – 2
Carports / Parkings – 15
Security – Yes
Flatlet – 2
Pool – Yes
Size
Land Size – 8 040m²
