Charles Spencer, the ninth Earl Spencer and brother of the late Princess Diana, married Norwegian bioarchaeologist Cat Jarman in a private ceremony in Arizona [1, 2].
The marriage marks the fourth wedding for the Earl Spencer [4]. Given his high profile and family connection to the British royal line, the union draws significant international attention to his private life.
Reports regarding the exact timing of the ceremony vary. Sky News Australia said the wedding occurred on May 15, 2024 [3]. However, other reports indicate the ceremony may have taken place earlier that month, with some referencing a Friday in early May 2024 [2].
Spencer was 61 years old at the time of the wedding, while Jarman was 43 [1]. Jarman is a historian, podcaster, and professor specializing in bioarchaeology [1, 3].
Andrew Eborn discussed the union during a Sky News Australia interview. "He is brilliant, Earl Spencer … on May 15th, Diana’s brother is married to Norwegian archaeologist, historian and podcaster Professor Cat Jarman," Eborn said [3].
Eborn said, "I wish them many, many happy years together" [3]. The couple chose the U.S. Southwest for their secret nuptials, opting for a secluded setting away from the public eye [1, 2].
“Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, wed Norwegian bioarchaeologist Cat Jarman in a private Arizona ceremony.”
The decision to hold a secret ceremony in Arizona suggests a desire for privacy away from the intense scrutiny of the British press. By marrying a professional academic and historian, Spencer continues a pattern of unconventional unions that distance him from the traditional expectations of the British peerage.
