Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer

Charles Edward Maurice Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, was born on 20 May 1964 in London, England. He is a British peer, author, journalist, and broadcaster. He is the younger brother of Diana, Princess of Wales, and the maternal uncle of William, Prince of Wales, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.

Early Life and Education

Charles Spencer is the youngest of five children born to John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer (1924–1992), and Frances Roche (1936–2004), later known as Shand Kydd. He was baptized in Westminster Abbey, with Queen Elizabeth II serving as one of his godmothers, reflecting his maternal family’s close ties to the British Royal Family. His childhood included three elder sisters named Sarah, Jane, and Diana. An infant brother, John, was born four years before him but died ten hours after birth, making Charles the heir to the earldom.

His parents’ marriage ended in divorce when he was three years old, following his mother’s affair with Peter Shand Kydd. In 1975, upon his father inheriting the earldom from his grandfather, Spencer was styled as Viscount Althorp. His early education was at Silfield Private School in Norfolk and subsequently at Maidwell Hall, an elite boarding school in Northamptonshire, starting at age eight. He later attended Eton College and graduated from Magdalen College, Oxford, with a degree in Modern History.

In his memoir, published in March 2024 shortly before his 60th birthday, Spencer detailed alleged childhood abuse at Maidwell Hall, including beatings and sexual assaults, referencing trauma and the “culture of cruelty” he experienced there. He described the impact of these experiences on his mental health and recounted interviews with former pupils who reported further abuse, including rape. The memoir prompted renewed scrutiny of the school, which has reported itself to authorities, and led to an investigation by Northamptonshire Police announced in June 2024.

Career

Spencer worked as an on-air correspondent for NBC News from 1986 to 1995, contributing to programs such as Today and NBC Nightly News. He produced and presented the 12-part series "Great Houses of the World" (1994–1995), and was a reporter for Granada Television between 1991 and 1993. As a writer, he contributed reviews and features to publications including The Guardian, The Independent on Sunday, The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, Vanity Fair, and others.

Upon the death of his father on 29 March 1992, Spencer inherited the titles of 9th Earl Spencer and the family estate, Althorp, in Northamptonshire. He has overseen restoration projects at Althorp, including re-roofing and exterior repairs, and established Althorp Living History, a furniture line reproducing items from the estate's collection. The Spencer family’s wealth historically originated from sheep farming during the Tudor period.

Spencer delivered the eulogy at his sister Diana’s funeral in 1997, publicly criticizing the Royal Family and the press for their treatment of her. He dismissed conspiracy theories about her death and responded to allegations concerning her living arrangements, which were later proven false. Diana was buried on an island in a lake on the Althorp estate, where Spencer created a memorial garden and a museum to her memory. The museum opened in 1998, with profits directed to Diana's Memorial Fund.

He has authored several books, including "Althorp: The Story of an English House" (1998), "The Spencer Family" (1999), "Blenheim: Battle for Europe" (2004), "Prince Rupert: The Last Cavalier" (2007), and "Killers of the King" (2014). His 2024 publication, "A Very Private School," is a memoir about his childhood experiences at Maidwell Hall.

Public Service and Other Roles

Spencer was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Northamptonshire in 2005 and is a patron of Northamptonshire County Cricket Club. In 2003, he founded the Althorp Literary Festival. He has contributed to documentary filmmaking, including programs on Blenheim Palace and Charles I. In 2021, he created an audiovisual walking tour about the execution of Charles I.

In recent years, Spencer has participated in media projects such as the podcast "The Rabbit Hole Detectives" (2023) and joined the panel of ITV's "Loose Men" in 2025.

Personal Life

Charles Spencer has been married three times and has seven children. His first marriage was to Victoria Lockwood on 16 September 1989; they divorced in 1997 amid media attention surrounding Diana’s death. They had four children: Lady Kitty Eleanor Spencer (b. 1990), Lady Eliza Victoria Spencer (b. 1992), Lady Katya "Amelia" Spencer (b. 1992), and Louis Spencer, Viscount Althorp (b. 1994), heir apparent to the earldom.

He married Caroline Freud (née Hutton) in 2001; they divorced in 2007 and had two children, The Hon. Edmund Spencer (b. 2003) and Lady Lara Caroline Spencer (b. 2006). His third marriage was to Karen Gordon on 18 June 2011; they have a daughter, Lady Charlotte Diana Spencer (b. 2012). Announced in June 2024, Spencer and Gordon separated in April 2024 and are in the process of divorce.

His current partner is archaeologist Dr. Cat Jarman, whom he met during an archaeological project at Althorp.