Princess Diana’s brother, Earl Spencer, has been accused of keeping “a long-term mistress” before “dumping” his wife of 13 years by text message, court papers have reportedly alleged.
Countess Karen Spencer has accused her estranged husband of having an affair with Professor Catrine Jarman, an archaeologist at his Althorp ancestral home, “likely since 2021”.
The couple announced their separation back in June.
Meanwhile, Dr Jarman is suing Countess Spencer for allegedly revealing private details of her life.
In High Court documents seen by the Daily Mail, it is revealed the countess wrote an email to his husband’s girlfriend back in May, accusing her of “turning all the children’s lives upside down” through her “immoral” behaviour.
The email reportedly read: “First of all as a woman, I just have to tell you that I am so disappointed in you. Turning all of the children’s lives upside down like this is so unbelievably immoral.”
It added: “Good luck Cat, you’re in for a hell of a ride. I think that you’ll find having him to deal with full-time will be much trickier than the odd five-day escape to Norfolk and a night or two in London here and there.”
The defence papers alleged that Earl Spencer informed his wife in March that “their marriage was over” by a text message.
They read: “Having given up her life in the United States, in order to live in the middle of rural Northamptonshire and dedicate herself to sorting out the Althorp Estate business, as well having a child, the news was hideous for Lady Spencer.”
Earl Spencer told the newspaper: “The notion that I would end my marriage by text is an absurd attempt to blacken my name. Karen ended the marriage, after endless threats to do so over the years, in early March.”
In another email to Dr Jarman, Lady Spencer reportedly wrote: “Not sure what Charles has shared with you of this, but I won’t have you at Althorp while I still live here.
“That is a boundary I intend to hold. It’s not fair to me, our daughter, or to all the staff, who are already distraught at the news of our divorce though having to serve Charles’ long-term mistress. It’s just too much to ask.”
The latest accusations are part of Countess Spencer’s legal defence against a privacy case brought against her by Dr Jarman.
Last night, the archaeologist told the outlet: “I am shocked and utterly dismayed that my rightful attempt to stop the unlawful dissemination of my status as a person with Multiple Sclerosis – a protected disability – has been hijacked in such an appallingly untruthful way.
“It seems that Karen Spencer is not so much mounting a legal defence to my legitimate action, but has rather stooped to make a hideous and defamatory attack on Charles and me.
“My full response to this outrage will be with the courts at the earliest possible opportunity.”
