Earl Spencer’s estranged spouse strikes out of Althorp household property amid acrimonious divorce – as insider says she ‘will not be missed’
Earl Spencer‘s estranged wife has moved out of the Althorp family estate – almost a year after their split – amid a series of acrimonious legal battles.
Countess Spencer, 52, announced on Instagram that ‘at long last’ she had moved to a ‘temporary new home’ and was waiting for her seven horses to arrive.
The Mail on Sunday revealed last year how the relationship between Princess Diana‘s brother and his third wife was over amid the strain of writing his harrowing memoir detailing the physical and sexual abuse he suffered at boarding school.
The couple told staff at Althorp, a 13,000-acre estate in Northamptonshire, that they were to divorce last April.
But despite the increasingly ugly divorce – and a separate legal case brought by Earl Spencer’s new partner – the Canadian-born Countess continued living at Althorp until moving out three weeks ago.
Posting a picture of her two sheep, Lucky and Minty, she wrote: ‘Well… at long last, three weeks ago, we finally moved into our temporary new home. Still waiting for the horses to arrive – hopefully next week! Doesn’t quite feel like home without them.
‘This new chapter is already taking shape.’
One member of staff at Althorp last night said there was relief that the Countess had left.
Countess Spencer, 52, announced on Instagram that ‘at long last’ she had moved to a ‘temporary new home’ (Pictured: Karen Spencer and Earl Spencer)
The couple told staff at Althorp (pictured), a 13,000-acre estate in Northamptonshire, that they were to divorce last April
‘Having Lady Spencer on the estate for the year since the split has been very challenging indeed. She was a very big presence at Althorp, and one that won’t be missed.’
The Mail on Sunday understands the couple’s divorce is proving increasingly bitter and tangled, even though it is believed they had a pre-nuptial agreement in place.
Earl Spencer has previously said his estranged wife’s claims that he ended the marriage via text were an ‘absurd attempt to blacken my name’.
‘Karen ended the marriage, after endless threats to do so over the years, in early March,’ he said.
‘She asked me to confirm the end of the marriage in a text and my reply that day was a simple acceptance of her decision.’
Countess Spencer is also being sued by Charles’s new girlfriend, Professor Cat Jarman, for the ‘misuse of private information’.
Prof Jarman, 42, a Norwegian archaeologist, has alleged the countess told the Earl, 60, and others that she suffered from multiple sclerosis without her consent.
She has described feeling ‘utterly sick’ when the confidential medical information was allegedly disclosed last year, adding: ‘It has been the most stressful time, and with MS you are told that it is most important to avoid stress.’
The Mail on Sunday understands the couple’s divorce is proving increasingly bitter and tangled, even though it is believed they had a pre-nuptial agreement in place
Earl Spencer has a daughter, 12, from his 13-year marriage to Karen; four children with first wife, Victoria Lockwood, and two with second wife, Caroline Hutton (Pictured: Earl Spencer with his wife Caroline in front of Althorp)
Countess Spencer is also being sued by Charles’s new girlfriend, Professor Cat Jarman, 42, for the ‘misuse of private information’ (Pictured: Earl Spencer and Prof Jarman)
In papers lodged at the High Court, the Countess defended herself against the allegations.
She accused her husband of having an affair with Prof Jarman, who has conducted various digs at Althorp in recent years. Prof Jarman accused the Countess of a ‘hideous and defamatory attack’ on her.
Earl Spencer has a daughter, 12, from his 13-year marriage to Karen; four children with first wife, Victoria Lockwood, and two with second wife, Caroline Hutton.
Relations were understood to be strained between Karen and some of the Earl’s children, who are thought to have had misgivings about the union.
The MoS understands Lady Kitty Spencer, the Earl’s eldest daughter, recently visited Althorp with her daughter, who is almost two.
In an earlier Instagram post, the Countess wrote: ‘It hasn’t been easy finding a temporary rental that can accommodate seven horses, two sheep, four cats, and a dog… but we’ve finally found one.’
