Charles Spencer, the ninth Earl Spencer and brother of the late Princess Diana, married archaeologist Dr. Cat Jarman on May 15, 2026 [4].

The union marks the fourth marriage for the 61-year-old Earl [1, 3], connecting a prominent figure of the British aristocracy with a noted academic professional.

The couple held a private ceremony in Sedona, Arizona [2]. The location provided a secluded backdrop for the event, which was attended by a small group of guests. Spencer, 61, and Jarman, 44, have spent several years developing a relationship that began as a professional partnership [1].

According to reports, the couple's bond evolved from a shared interest in history and archaeology. They previously worked together as colleagues before their relationship shifted into a close friendship, and eventually a romantic partnership [5].

"We both feel so incredibly lucky to have progressed from being colleagues, to friendship, to deep love and connection," Spencer said [5].

This marriage follows a series of previous unions for the Earl. As this is his fourth marriage [3], the event has drawn attention from those following the Spencer family and the wider orbit of the British royal family. The ceremony in the U.S. Southwest reflects a departure from traditional English estate weddings often associated with the peerage.

Jarman is a recognized archaeologist whose professional work has often overlapped with the historical interests of the Spencer family. The couple said that their marriage is a celebration of a deep love and connection forged through years of collaboration [5].

“"We both feel so incredibly lucky to have progressed from being colleagues, to friendship, to deep love and connection."”

The marriage of Charles Spencer to Dr. Cat Jarman highlights a continuing trend of modernizing aristocratic ties through professional and academic partnerships. By choosing a private venue in the U.S. over a traditional British setting, the couple signals a preference for personal intimacy and a break from the public scrutiny typically attached to the Spencer and royal legacies.