There is a surprise wedding to celebrate in the inner circle of Princes William and Harry. Their uncle, Earl Charles Spencer, the 61-year-old brother of Diana, Princess of Wales, married his partner, 43-year-old Cat Jarman, last Friday. The private ceremony took place in Arizona.
The aristocrat and the professor first crossed paths after he was asked to review her 2021 bestselling nonfiction book, River Kings, which focuses on her specialty, the Vikings. Charles, an author of nine books himself, gave it a glowing review. Since then, the couple has collaborated on archaeological digs and cohosted a podcast together. Their friendship deepened over the months, and they began dating two years ago.
© Caitlyn Jennings/Selfie by Cat SpencerIn a joint statement, the newlyweds shared: “We both feel so incredibly lucky to have progressed from being colleagues, to friendship, to deep love and connection. Each stage of our relationship has been underpinned by laughter and we share a passion for life.”
This marks the fourth marriage for the nobleman, who looks happier than ever in this photo shoot set against the desert landscape of Arizona. Charles opted for a dark suit and a light blue shirt with no tie, while his new wife wore a very pale blue linen dress paired with heels and a bouquet of white roses. She wore her hair up in braids and accessorized with a pendant necklace. The couple can be seen walking hand in hand, kissing, and even snapping a selfie that captures this joyful chapter of their lives.
© Caitlyn Jennings/Selfie by Cat SpencerThis happy occasion follows a challenging period for the Earl. In February 2026, after a grueling two-year legal battle, Lady Di’s only brother finalized his divorce from his third wife, Karen Spencer, ending a 13-year marriage. Together, they share his youngest daughter, Lady Charlotte Diana.The Earl has six other children: Lady Kitty, Lady Eliza, Lady Amelia, and Louis, Viscount Althorp, from his first marriage to Victoria Lockwood, as well as Edmund and Lara from his marriage to Caroline Hutton.
© Caitlyn Jennings/Selfie by Cat SpencerAdding to the complexity of the divorce process, Cat Jarman filed a lawsuit against Karen Spencer for misusing her private medical information. Karen allegedly revealed to the Earl, the staff at Althorp, and several teachers and mothers at her daughter’s school that Cat has multiple sclerosis. Cat was diagnosed with the condition in 2016 and had previously kept it private.
© Caitlyn Jennings/Selfie by Cat SpencerCharles Spencer and his new wife originally connected in the summer of 2021 during an excavation on the grounds of Althorp. The project, which searched for the remains of an ancient Roman villa, was featured in a Channel 4 documentary. Charles and Cat also teamed up with British journalist and clergyman Richard Coles to launch the podcast The Rabbit Hole Detectives, which later inspired a book. Time has told its own story, confirming what now seems completely obvious: the two are a perfect match.
