The Spencer girl and a friend had tickets to watch Chelsea play Arsenal at their famous Stamford Bridge ground on Easter Sunday.

But a mistake by the taxi company meant they missed the game and ended up in the Yorkshire village of Stamford Bridge, 218 miles away from Chelsea's home ground.

The Althorp estate confirmed the incident had happened and said the matter was being sorted out amicably.

A spokesman for the estate said: "One of Earl Spencer's daughters and her friend had tickets for Chelsea versus Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Easter Day.

"The driver, from Mayfair Taxis, took them to Stamford Bridge, in Yorkshire, instead, so they missed the game. Mayfair's owner has apologised, and has promised to sort this matter out amicably."

Peter Achiampong, the owner of Mayfair Taxis, which is based in Northampton town centre, was due to meet the Earl this morning to apologise for the mistake.

He said: "We do 20,000 journeys a month and mistakes do happen every now and again. But I admit this is a big one. But the fault was with my control staff, not the driver.

"He ended up there by putting Stamford Bridge into his sat-nav and it said it was in the north of England. He checked that was right and it was confirmed by the controller.

"I'm still trying to figure out how that was possible, it's baffling."

The village of Stamford Bridge is in the East Riding of Yorkshire, 147 miles away from Althorp.

The Chelsea stadium, meanwhile, has a capacity of 42,055, its complex includes two hotels, apartments, bars and restaurants. It is just 80 miles from Northampton.

The Althorp Estate has not confirmed which of the Earl's four daughters had hoped to see the match, which was won 2-1 by Chelsea.