Charles Spencer's New Girlfriend Sues His Estranged Wife Countess Karen Spencer

Mar. 15, 2025

(Left to right) Countess Karen Spencer at the Argento Ball for the Elton John AIDS Foundation on June 27, 2018 in Windsor, England; Earl Charles Spencer at the U.K. premiere of “Dancing At The Vatican” on Feb. 5, 2020 in London, England; and Professor Catrine Jarman in Barcelona, Spain on March 19, 2022.Photo:David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty(2); Marta Perez/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty(2); Marta Perez/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Charles Spencer’s new girlfriend, Cat Jarman, has filed a lawsuit against his estranged wife, Countess Karen Spencer, alleging misuse of private information, according to reports.

Charles, the younger brother ofPrincess Diana,announced his divorcefrom his third wife, Karen, in June of this year. The 9th Earl Spencer is now romantically involved with Dr. Jarman, a 42-year-old Norwegian archaeologist with whom he co-hosts the history podcastThe Rabbit Hole Detectives.

The misuse of private information claim was filed on Oct. 10, according to theTelegraph. No further details are available.

Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer and Karen Spencer arrive at the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England.Chris Jackson/Getty

Chris Jackson/Getty

Earl Spencer married Karen Gordon, a Canadian philanthropist and founder of the Whole Child International charity, in June 2011. After meeting the year prior on a blind date at a Los Angeles restaurant, the two were married on the grounds of Althorp, the Spencer family ancestral home, where Princess Diana is buried. The couple share one daughter, named in part for her late aunt — Lady Charlotte Diana, 12.

Charles has seven children from three marriages. In addition to Charlotte, he has four children with his first wife, Victoria Lockwood and two with his second wife, Caroline Freud.

“It is immensely sad,” Charles said in June, as the divorce was announced. “I just want to devote myself to all my children, and to my grandchildren, and I wish Karen every happiness in the future.”

For the divorce proceedings, Charleshired Fiona Shackleton, who also represented then-Prince Charlesin his divorce from Princess Diana. The former Prince and Princess of Wales separated in 1992 and finalized their divorce in 1996, almost exactly one year before she died following a car crash in Paris on Aug. 31, 1997.

Lady Diana Spencer (who later became Diana, Princess of Wales) and Earl Charles Spencer (then Lord Althorp) in 1968.PA Images via Getty

PA Images via Getty

In August, Karen revealed that she wasstill living at Althorp, adding in a statement that she no longer had access to her newsletter mailing list and encouraged followers to sign up to a new website that she hoped to launch this fall.

“I look forward to closing this chapter out with you all and launching the next,” she said in her statement in August. “I will be sharing an update on my projects and reflecting on all the wonderful things I have learned during my time here on this beautiful estate.”

She said she would provide “a deeper dive” for “those of you who enjoy more detail.”

Charles and Jarman broke their silence about their romance last week, after theTimesasked about rumors that they had “grown close.”

“We are close,” said Charles. “Well, close enough.”

Dr. Cat Jarman, a bioarchaeologist and field archaeologist specializing in the Viking Age, Viking women and Rapa Nui, poses for an interview for Efe news agency in Barcelona, Spain on March 19, 2022.Marta Perez/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Marta Perez/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

According to theTelegraph, the two met when Jarman was searching for the remains of an ancient Roman villa on Althorp’s grounds for a documentary. Earl Spencer and Jarman co-host a podcast,The Rabbit Hole Detectives, alongside broadcaster Rev. Richard Coles, which launched last year.

“We’re not that domestic, really, are we?” Charles joked of his dynamic with Jarman. “No, I mean, I love Richard just as much, but just in a different way.”

The trio published a book of the same name last week.

David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty

Countess Spencer, in her August statement, also spoke out about the excavation, writing that “Many of you have been asking what we found when we did the excavation. You won’t believe it! Can’t wait to share.”

Earl Spencer said in 2020 of his marriage to Countess Spencer, “Karen and I both appreciate what the other does and look after what we have. Neither of us has found happiness like this before.”

Rich Polk/Getty

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Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE, Charles opened up about Karen’s support during the process of writing the book: “Karen has been supportive,” he said. “I think it was very challenging for her to have a husband going through what was essentially four and a half years of the most profound therapy with very difficult undertones to it. And she supported the idea of me doing it.”

source: people.com