Princess Diana’s brother Earl Spencer has been caught in the middle of an explosive High Court battle between his new lover and his ex-wife.
Professor Catrine Jarman, Earl Spencer’s archaeologist girlfriend, is suing Countess Karen Spencer for allegedly revealing intimate secrets about her that have caused her “distress and shame.”
Earl Spencer, 60, and Dr Jarman, 42, confirmed their romance in October, after he announced his split from Lady Spencer, 52, in March.
But her old and new lovers will now face off in a bitter High Court showdown over the revelation of intimate secrets.
Viking expert Dr Jarman accused Lady Spencer of revealing private details of her life to close friends, causing a huge rift at the heart of one of Britain’s most famous families.
Dr Jarman, who grew closer to Earl Spencer after an excavation at his ancestral home where he grew up with his late sister Diana, claims the leak in May caused him “distress, upset and shame”.
The Mail revealed in October that Dr Jarman was taking Lady Spencer to court for “misuse of private information”.
The paperwork, as reported the sun last night, he says: ‘Dr Jarman did not know until mid-May that the countess had obtained the private information.
Earl Spencer and his ex-wife Lady Karen Spencer (pictured in June 2018) announced their separation in June.
Now Countess Spencer, 52, is being sued for misuse of private information by the 60-year-old’s new romance: Professor Catrine Jarman (right), 42
She only found out after the Countess revealed the information to Count Spencer, a revelation that shocked her.
“Dr. Jarman did not, at any time, give her consent to the countess to reveal that information to third parties or insinuate anything in that regard.”
He goes on to say that the lack of consent should have been “obvious” to the countess given the nature of the information. He has accused the countess of revealing secrets to a “close group of personal friends.”
The countess is accused of telling those involved in raising her 11-year-old daughter, Lady Charlotte Diana.
The list also reportedly includes teachers and parents from Spratton Hall School, an £18,600-a-year private school in Northants.
It is claimed that the countess even told her personal trainer.
Dr Jarman is seeking damages and an injunction prohibiting Lady Spencer from telling others and a full list of those who have already told.
He says the countess is responsible for the damage she has allegedly caused.
The new couple first met when Cat, as the archaeologist is known, came in search of an ancient ‘lost’ village in the grounds of Althorp, the glorious Spencer family residence (pictured).
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 took to Instagram last week 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’ve finally found one.’
Details of the High Court showdown emerged just a week after Countess Spencer revealed she is having a “difficult time” as she moves home amid her divorce.
Lady Spencer, who is leaving Althorp House in Northampton, admitted it has not been an easy transition.
The Earl and Countess announced their separation in June, with Lady Spencer set to move out of her ex’s estate after 14 years. Althorp House is where Earl Spencer and his late sister Princess Diana grew up.
Lady Spencer took to Instagram last week 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 have 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.
Princess Diana, Princess of Wales, photographed with her brother, Earl Charles Spencer, outside the St. Lawrence restaurant in London in 1990.
It comes after Earl Spencer confirmed his relationship with Dr Jarman in October.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, she opened up for the first time about her relationship with the Scandinavian archaeologist and podcast star.
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.”
Dr Jarman, who is separated from her husband, has been helping Earl Spencer unearth a Roman villa in Althorp.
Since 2023, Earl Spencer and Dr Jarman have co-hosted The Rabbit Hole Detective, which is a landmark podcast, alongside Reverend Richard Coles.
Lady Spencer, Dr Jarman and Earl Spencer have been contacted for comment.