Let G be a simply connected semisimple algebraic group over an algebraically closed field k of characteristic 0 and let V be a rational simple G-module. If G/H ⊂ P(V) is a spherical orbit and if $$ X = \overline {G/H} $$ is its closure, then we describe the orbits of X and those of its normalization $$ \tilde{X} $$ . If, moreover, the wonderful completion of G/H is strict, then we give necessary and sufficient combinatorial conditions so that the normalization morphism $$ \tilde{X} \to X $$ is a homeomorphism. Such conditions are trivially fulfilled if G is simply laced or if H is a symmetric subgroup.