Charles Spencer's 5 Shocking New Chapters: Divorce, Memoir Trauma, And A New Romance In 2024

Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer and younger brother of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, has undergone one of the most transformative and publicly scrutinized periods of his life in 2024. From a deeply personal and painful memoir that exposed childhood trauma to the very public announcement of his third divorce, the Earl has been consistently in the global spotlight.

As of late 2024, the news surrounding Lord Spencer is fresh, complex, and highly emotional. He has navigated a major relationship change while simultaneously promoting a best-selling book that details the abuse he suffered at boarding school, all while managing the legacy of his family's ancestral seat, Althorp House. This period marks a profound new chapter for the historical author and peer, revealing a side of him rarely seen before.

The Life and Titles of Charles Edward Maurice Spencer

Charles Edward Maurice Spencer is a British peer, author, journalist, and custodian of Althorp, the Spencer family's ancestral home. His life has been defined by his aristocratic lineage, his successful career as a historical non-fiction writer, and his poignant relationship with his sister, Princess Diana.

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• Full Name: Charles Edward Maurice Spencer
• Title: 9th Earl Spencer, Viscount Althorp (subsidiary title), Baron Spencer of Althorp, and Baron Spencer
• Date of Birth: 20 May 1964
• Place of Birth: London, England
• Parents: John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer, and Frances Shand Kydd (formerly Frances Spencer, Viscountess Althorp)
• Siblings: Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Jane Fellowes, Baroness Fellowes, and Diana, Princess of Wales (deceased)
• Education: Eton College; Magdalen College, Oxford University (MA in Modern History)
• Career: Worked for NBC News for a decade as a correspondent; Bestselling author of historical non-fiction (e.g., Blenheim, Killers of the King, The White Ship); Custodian of Althorp House.
• Marriages:
  • Victoria Lockwood (m. 1989; div. 1997)
  • Caroline Freud (m. 2001; div. 2007)
  • Karen Gordon (m. 2011; div. 2024)
• Children: Seven children from his three marriages.

The Shocking 2024 Divorce and New Romance

The biggest personal news surrounding the Earl in 2024 was the announcement of his divorce from his third wife, Karen Gordon, in June, after nearly 13 years of marriage. The news was shared with "immense sadness" and marked the end of a long-term partnership that included their joint work on the Spencer family's charitable and estate endeavors.

The End of a Third Marriage

The split from Karen Spencer, a Canadian-American philanthropist, was unexpected by many. The couple had a daughter together, Lady Charlotte Diana Spencer, and Karen had been a prominent figure in the management and restoration of Althorp House. The divorce proceedings were reportedly handled by the same high-profile lawyer who represented King Charles III in his divorce from Princess Diana.

The emotional toll of the separation was palpable. Shortly after the announcement, the Earl spoke about the "devastating secret" behind the divorce, suggesting a deeply personal and painful reason for the marriage's conclusion.

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A Swift New Chapter with Catrine Jarman

In a surprising turn, Charles Spencer confirmed a new romance in October 2024 with Catrine Jarman, a Norwegian archaeologist and academic. This relationship quickly became a major talking point, especially as it coincided with the finalization of his divorce.

The new relationship faced immediate public scrutiny, which escalated into a legal issue. In a highly unusual development, his estranged wife, Karen Spencer, filed a lawsuit against Catrine Jarman. This "explosive privacy case" was later settled in October 2024, providing a sense of relief for both Charles Spencer and his new partner, who expressed a desire to "move forward." This resolution allowed the new couple to step out of the legal shadow cast by the separation and focus on their future.

The Explosive Success of 'A Very Private School' Memoir

Alongside the turbulence in his personal life, Charles Spencer achieved international literary success in 2024 with the publication of his memoir, A Very Private School. The book, which became a bestseller and received critical acclaim from outlets like NPR and *The Washington Post*, is a raw and moving account of his childhood trauma.

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Exposing Boarding School Abuse

The memoir details the harrowing experience of being sent away from home at the age of eight to attend boarding school, where he suffered physical and emotional abuse. Spencer's book acts as both a personal catharsis and an exposé of the systemic violence and neglect often hidden behind the walls of elite British institutions. The narrative combines "righteous anger with therapeutic honesty," offering a shocking look at the psychological damage inflicted on young boys in the 1970s.

The book's success is seen as a major personal and professional achievement, earning him a significant literary honor and providing a platform to discuss a sensitive, yet crucial, aspect of the British education system.

A Parallel to Prince Harry's 'Spare'

Commentators were quick to draw parallels between Charles Spencer's memoir and that of his nephew, Prince Harry's book, *Spare*. Both memoirs are categorized as "posh boy's misery memoirs," detailing the pain and difficulty of growing up within the rigid structures of the British elite, though Spencer's focuses specifically on the institutional abuse of the boarding school system.

Althorp House and the Diana Legacy Updates

Despite his personal upheaval, Charles Spencer remains the custodian of Althorp House, the Spencer family's ancestral home in Northamptonshire, which holds the final resting place of his sister, Princess Diana. He frequently uses social media to share updates and snippets of the historic estate, showcasing various parts of the house and grounds.

The Poignant Summer Season

In 2024, Spencer reflected on the poignant timing of Althorp's annual public "season," which always begins on Princess Diana's birthday, July 1. This yearly event ensures that the legacy of his sister remains central to the estate's purpose. The Earl has always been a fierce protector of Diana's memory, notably delivering a powerful eulogy at her funeral in 1997, which remains a defining moment of his public life.

A Focus on Personal Health

In a further sign of personal renewal and self-care, Charles Spencer publicly shared a significant milestone in late 2024: six months of sobriety. This commitment to a healthier lifestyle underscores the profound changes he has undergone during this tumultuous year, suggesting a focus on recovery and well-being following the emotional challenges of his divorce and the difficult process of writing his memoir.

The 9th Earl Spencer's 2024 has been a year of dramatic shifts—from ending a long marriage and finding a new partner to confronting deep-seated childhood trauma through his writing. He continues to manage his family's vast historical estate while cementing his reputation as a serious and successful historical author. These new chapters confirm that Charles Spencer is not merely a figure of aristocratic lineage, but a complex, evolving public figure navigating profound personal challenges with a new focus on honesty and self-discovery.