Charles Spencer’s New Girlfriend Sues His Estranged Wife Karen Spencer

Earl Charles Spencer’s estranged wife, Countess Karen Spencer, is facing a lawsuit from his new partner, Catrine Jarman.

Per The Telegraph, Jarman, 42, a Norwegian archaeologist and professor with a specialization in Vikings, filed a lawsuit against Karen, 52, on Thursday, October 10. The claim against Spencer’s third wife reportedly alleged a misuse of private information. No further details regarding the lawsuit were made available.

In an October 7 interview with London’s The Times, Charles, 60, said of his relationship with Jarman, “We are close. Well, close enough.”

Charles is the younger brother of the late Princess Diana, who died in 1997. Earlier this year, he announced his divorce from Karen during an interview with The Mail on Sunday.

“It is immensely sad,” Charles said 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.”

Karen, for her part, broke her silence on the split later that same month, writing via Instagram on June 21, “Just wanted to say that I have been overwhelmed by the messages of love and support. Thank you, it has really meant a lot to me.”

She added, “I’m just processing at the moment. Will come back to you soon. Thought I’d share a few pics from last night’s summer solstice gathering.” Karen’s post included photos from the Althorp estate where Diana is buried.

Not long after confirming his divorce, Charles was spotted out in London with Jarman attending a production of The Book of Mormon on June 17. When they’re not out and about, both Jarman and Charles co-host a history podcast called “The Rabbit Hole Detectives” with Rev. Richard Cole.

Related: Princess Diana’s Family Guide: Meet Her Siblings and More

Princess Diana’s legacy continues to live on with her family. The late royal was the youngest daughter of John Spencer and Frances Shand Kydd. Diana grew up with two older sisters, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes, and a younger brother, Charles Spencer. Before Diana was born, her parents also welcomed a son named […]

Charles and Karen met on a blind date in 2010 and tied the knot one year later at Althorp. The pair share 12-year-old daughter Charlotte Diana.

Charles has several children from previous marriages. He is a father to daughter Kitty, 33, twins Eliza and Amelia, both 31, and son Louis, 30, with his ex-wife Victoria Lockwood. He shares son Edmund, 20, and daughter Lara, 18, with another ex-wife, Caroline Freud.

“Karen and I both appreciate what the other does and look after what we have,” Charles told The Sunday Times of his relationship with Karen in 2020. “Neither of us has found happiness like this before.”

He added at the time, “I do remember when I met her — she happens to be very beautiful, but the most interesting thing was what she did. That definitely resonated with me. I suppose my childhood was very privileged but very bumpy, emotionally.”