The girlfriend of Princess Diana's younger brother, Charles Spencer, is taking legal action against his estranged wife, Countess Karen Spencer. Professor Catrine Jarman, 42, filed a lawsuit against Lady Spencer, 52, on Thursday, Oct. 10, accusing her of "misuse of private information," according to The Telegraph. No additional details have been disclosed. The Post has contacted Karen Spencer and Jarman directly, as well as Jarman's legal representatives and a spokesperson for Charles Spencer.
The 9th Earl Spencer, 60, announced his intention to divorce Karen, his third wife, in June. Charles met the Canadian social entrepreneur and philanthropist on a blind date in Los Angeles in 2010. They tied the knot the following year at Althorp, the Spencer family's ancestral home and the final resting place of Diana, Princess of Wales. Charles and Karen Spencer (nee Gordon) have one child together, a daughter named Lady Charlotte Diana, who is 12 years old.
"It is immensely sad," Charles said about his impending divorce in June. "I just want to devote myself to all my children, and to my grandchildren, and I wish Karen every happiness in the future." Charles has six other children from his previous two marriages. He shares four kids with his first wife, Victoria Lockwood, and two with his second wife, Caroline Freud.
Jarman, a Norwegian archaeologist specializing in the Vikings, reportedly met Earl Spencer when she visited Althorp to search for the remains of an ancient Roman villa for a documentary. Last year, they launched a podcast, "The Rabbit Hole Detectives," which they co-host with Rev. Richard Coles. The podcasters have also released a book with the same title.
After months of rumors, Jarman and Charles addressed speculation about their romantic relationship in an interview with The Times last week. When asked if they had "grown close," Charles replied, "We are close. Well, close enough." "We're not that domestic really, are we? No, I mean, I love Richard just as much, but just in a different way," Charles joked about the couple's third co-host.
Charles' marriage to Karen reportedly suffered due to the "emotional toll" he experienced while writing his new memoir, "A Very Private School," according to Sky News. The book, released in March, delves into the sexual abuse he endured at a boarding school in the 1970s. "Karen has been supportive," Charles told People in March. "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."
Despite the divorce, Karen continues to reside at Althorp. "I'm currently still at Althorp," the Countess shared on Instagram in August. "[A]s we move into fall, I look forward to closing this chapter out with you all and launching the next. 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."
