Countess Karen Spencer has revealed she is having a “difficult time” as she moves home amid her divorce.
The ex-wife of Charles Spencer, 52, who leaves Althorp House, located in Northampton, admitted it has not been an easy transition.
The Earl and Countess announced their separation in June, with Karen moving out of her ex’s property after 14 years.
Charles, 60, brother of the late Princess Diana, is in a new relationship with archaeologist Cat Jarman, 42, and confirmed their relationship during an interview on This Morning last month.
Yesterday, Karen took to Instagram and wrote: “It hasn’t been easy finding a temporary rental that can accommodate seven horses, two sheep, four cats and a dog, but with the help of some wonderful friends, we finally found one.
‘It has been a challenging time, but also filled with a lot of generosity and kindness. There is no exact date for the move yet, but we are getting closer.
Karen, Earl Spencer’s third wife, added that she was “excited” to embark on a new chapter in her life.
She also shared that her sheep, Lucky and Minty, had settled into their new home before the rest of their furry friends. “They have adapted quickly and seem very happy in their new space,” he added.
Karen took to Instagram and wrote: “It hasn’t been easy finding a temporary rental that can accommodate seven horses, two sheep, four cats and a dog, but with the help of some wonderful friends, we finally found one.” ‘
She shared the personal message along with a photo of Lucky and Minty, followed by a video of her and the sweet woolly animals walking through the fountain-adorned garden.
The countess was inundated with support from fans fAfter his departure from Althorp Estate, the Spencer ancestral residence where Charles and his late sister, Princess Diana, grew.
One wrote: ‘The Spencer estate was lucky to have you as custodian of its history. We look forward to your next adventures. The best is yet to come.”
A second said: ‘You are an example for many women. The dark clouds will fade over time and little by little the sun will appear.’ A third commented: ‘This makes me so happy! Well done, Karen!’
Earlier this month, Karen hosted a final luncheon for investors in the property’s impressive dining room.
He reflected on the “bittersweet but inspiring” experience of spending one last time in the famous house.
“This week I had the pleasure of hosting a luncheon at Althorp, where philanthropic leaders, impact investors and changemakers gathered around the last garden flowers of the season,” she wrote at the time.
“Althorp was the perfect setting to kick off what we hope will be a truly impactful meeting.”
Charles Spencer’s ex-wife, 52, leaves Althorp House, located in Northampton, and said it hasn’t been an easy transition (pictured June 2018).
The countess was inundated with support from her fans following her departure from Althorp Estate, the Spencer ancestral home where Charles and his late sister Princess Diana grew up.
The meeting was part of the Catalyst 2030 movement, which sees social entrepreneurs and other social innovators collaborating to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Karen, a Canadian philanthropist, added: ‘As this is probably one of the last events I will host here, it was bittersweet but inspiring to share this space with people dedicated to positive change.
“Being part of the @Catalyst2030 Movement alongside such passionate people is a privilege, and Althorp was the perfect backdrop for these meaningful conversations.”
He ended his post by reflecting on the 14 years he spent at the stunning Althorp estate, writing: ‘One of the things I have come to appreciate during my time here is the power of these historic houses.
‘They were created to come together and use that convening power to influence and inspire change for the community at large.
The Earl and Countess announced their separation in June, with Karen, 52, moving out of the Northamptonshire estate after 14 years (pictured in 2018).
Karen hosted a final investor lunch in the property’s impressive dining room (pictured)
Karen took to Instagram to reflect on the “bittersweet but inspiring” experience of spending time in the famous house for the last time.
‘That purpose remains valid, even 500 years later, and I am proud to have fulfilled it during my 14 years at Althorp. The call has been a real pleasure and it is something that I hope to continue in the future.”
It comes after Charles confirmed his relationship with archaeologist Cat.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain last month, she opened up for the first time about her relationship with the Scandinavian archaeologist.
Gushing about his new girlfriend, he said: ‘Cat Jarman, who is now my partner, is a brilliant archaeologist.
“She is the Nordic Person of the Year 2024, which is usually given to someone like Sven-Goran Eriksson or a composer or something. You have to be respected in all Scandinavian and Nordic countries.”
Cat is currently taking Charles’ ex-wife to court. “misuse of private information.”
Cat, who is separated from her husband, has been helping Earl Spencer unearth a Roman villa in Althorp.
Since 2023, Charles and Cat have co-hosted The Rabbit Hole Detective, which is a landmark podcast, alongside Reverend Richard Coles.
Earl Spencer previously spoke about his “respected” new partner Cat Jarman on Good Morning Britain.
When talking about his new trivia book which he co-wrote with Reverend Richard Coles and Cat, Charles shared the inside story of how they met.
He said: ‘Well, firstly I met her because we both had the same publisher, but secondly, I know this sounds quite strange, but she came to excavate a Roman villa on land I own.
‘Richard, Cat and I ended up together and Richard had recently been heartbroken so he was living semi-with me and the three of us would just talk and talk and talk. Cat said “let’s do a podcast” and out of the podcast came the book.
Charles and Cat first sparked romance rumors in June after they were spotted enjoying a trip to the theater in London.
He was photographed walking with Cat towards the Prince of Wales Theatre, where they watched a performance of the hit musical comedy The Book of Mormon.
“They looked into each other’s eyes and there seemed to be a strong attraction,” said one viewer. “They were both laughing as they walked to the theater and he didn’t use his VIP status to avoid the long line.”
It was recently revealed that Cat initiated legal proceedings against Countess Karen for “misuse of private information.”
Charles joined presenters Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley on Good Morning Britain, 27 years after Princess Diana’s death in Paris.
Cat is represented by law firm Simons Muirhead Burton, while Karen, who has so far remained at Althorp following her split from Spencer, will represent herself in the legal case.
In June, Charles revealed the “immensely sad” news that he and his third wife, Karen Gordon, 52, a Canadian philanthropist, were divorcing.
The couple married in 2011 and Karen gave birth to Charles’s seventh child, Lady Charlotte, the following year.
They were married in the grounds of Althorp, where the earl’s older sister, Princess Diana, is buried. The couple had met the previous year on a blind date at a restaurant in Los Angeles.
But it is understood their relationship broke down amid the strain of writing her harrowing memoir, A Very Private School, which details the abuse she suffered at boarding school.
Earlier this year, Charles dramatically revealed that he had been subjected to sexual abuse while at his prep school, Maidwell Hall.
Princess Diana kisses her brother Viscount Althorp (later to become Earl Spencer) at the Birthright Red Ball in London in 1985.
The earl’s memoirs also revealed the trauma of his mother abandoning him and Diana when he was three and how being raised by a succession of nannies also affected him.
His wife was absent from his book launch events at Althorp and Spencer House in London in March, while Cat praised his “beautifully written” memoir on social media.
He has reportedly hired divorce lawyer Baroness Shackleton of Belgravia, known as the ‘steel magnolia’, to represent him.