Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer: Facts You Need To Know!

Dr. Quinn Steuber I 05 May 2025

Could the life of a British aristocrat, even one born into privilege, be fraught with shadows? For Charles Edward Maurice Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer, the answer appears to be a resounding yes, a life marked by both immense privilege and profound personal challenges, is the hallmark of his story.

Charles Spencer, known to many as the younger brother of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, has consistently maintained an "intensely protective" stance regarding his sister. This sense of familial loyalty is a thread that runs through his life, intertwining with his public persona as a peer, author, journalist, and broadcaster.

Category	Details
Full Name	Charles Edward Maurice Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, DL
Born	May 20, 1964, London, United Kingdom
Title	9th Earl Spencer (Inherited in 1992), styled Viscount Althorp (1975-1992)
Family	Younger brother of Diana, Princess of Wales; Maternal uncle of Prince William and Prince Harry
Marriages	Caroline Freud (second marriage, divorced), Karen Gordon (divorced)
Children	Edmund Spencer, Lara Spencer (with Caroline Freud)
Occupation	British Peer, Author, Print Journalist, Broadcaster
Notable Works	Author of "Althorp: The Story of an English House", "Blenheim: Battle for Europe" (shortlisted for the 2005 National Book Awards), and a memoir about his boarding school years.
Net Worth (estimated)	$206 million (as of 2021)
Key Relationships	Godmother: Queen Elizabeth II
Residences	Althorp House, Northamptonshire, England
Education	Maidwell Hall School (boarding school), Eton College, Magdalen College, Oxford
Notable Events	Attended the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. His memoir about his time at boarding school.
Reference Link	Althorp House Official Website

The echoes of a difficult childhood, including his parents' divorce, reverberate through his experiences. His memoir, exploring his five years at Maidwell Hall, a British boys' school, is described as "often sad and shocking." This upbringing, as described by Spencer himself, was agonising and horrible.

Charles Spencer inherited the earldom in 1992 upon the death of his father, John Spencer, the 8th Earl Spencer. His lineage connects him directly to the Spencer family, who have called Althorp House their home for over 500 years. Althorp is more than just a residence; it is the ancestral seat and now managed by the current Earl. It has always been a place of connection to the family history and mission.

His connection to his sister, Diana, Princess of Wales, has profoundly shaped his public image. He has been present at significant royal events, including the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Windsor, England, in May 2018. His protectiveness of his sister and his support for his nephews, Prince William and Prince Harry, have been evident in his public statements.

Spencer's life includes periods of great personal loss. The death of his elder sister, Diana, in 1997 and the subsequent attention on the family was a very difficult time. The presence of the Queen as his godmother highlights the close ties he has to the British establishment, as well as the unique pressures that come with a life lived in the public eye.

His journey through personal relationships has also been complex. After his first marriage ended, Charles Spencer found love a second time with Caroline Freud, a former classmate. He later married Karen Gordon, but after nearly 13 years, they divorced. These relationships have led to children Edmund and Lara Spencer, who are key members of the next generation of Spencers.

He has pursued various professional avenues, cementing his place as an author, journalist, and broadcaster. His career encompasses historical works, including "Blenheim: Battle for Europe," which was nominated for the Historical Book of the Year award. He has also worked as a print journalist. The 9th Earl Spencer is the owner and the current caretaker of Althorp House.

Spencer has become increasingly active in the world of charity and philanthropy. He believes his life is a very luxurious life, as he also gives back." In addition to his role as a public figure, he has also pursued his work in the world of art and history.

Charles Spencer's story is also a story of Althorp House, a place that holds the history of the family. The house has been home to the Spencer family for over 500 years.

As he navigates the complexities of his family history and his life in the public eye, Charles Spencer has been known to reconnect with the school holidays. His upbringing was also heavily influenced by the relationships he developed at school. One event he remembers is being dropped off at Maidwell Hall by his father, John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer, at the age of 8. The experiences he had at school would later inspire some of his writing.

In the wake of the passing of his sister, and the pressures on the family, he has often described his sense of protectiveness and his bond with his sister, Diana, Princess of Wales. His life is now marked by the many chapters of his life and the personal battles he has faced.

His life is a tapestry woven with threads of privilege and struggle, lineage and legacy, making him a figure of enduring fascination. With a net worth of approximately $206 million, the 9th Earl Spencer is still one of the richest men in Britain.

Charles Spencer's journey is far from simple. The 9th Earl Spencer has always been the protector of his late sister. The impact of Diana's life and legacy is evident in Spencer's life.