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Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer and younger brother of the late Princess Diana, has announced his divorce from wife Karen after nearly 13 years of marriage.
The news was first reported by The Mail on Sunday, where the 60-year-old Earl expressed deep sadness over the split. "It is, you know, an immensely sad thing. We had 13 really happy years," Spencer stated in an interview with the publication. The couple married in June 2011 at the Spencer family's ancestral home of Althorp House in Northamptonshire.
While the Earl did not divulge specifics regarding the reasons behind the divorce, sources suggest there may be a connection to Spencer's recently completed memoir "A Very Private School." The book delves into the author's personal struggles throughout his life.
"It's a very sad situation for both parties," said a family friend in comments to The Daily Mail. "But Charles has just finished a book which draws on many unhappy periods in his life and maybe that has given him a new perspective."
The Spencers have long captured public fascination, both for their aristocratic lineage and close ties to the late Princess of Wales. Charles and Karen share one child together, daughter Charlotte Diana, now 11, whose middle name honors her famous aunt.
In the wake of the divorce announcement, friends and associates have expressed sympathy to the Spencer family while respecting their privacy during this difficult transition. "Our thoughts are with them both at this challenging time," noted royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams. "They will understandably wish to deal with the matter privately."
Indeed, maintaining discretion seems to be a top priority for the Spencers. Hours after the initial reports, all of Charles Spencer's social media accounts were deactivated in an apparent effort to limit publicity around the divorce.
Those close to the situation indicate the Earl remains devoted to his children from both his first and second marriages, including four grandchildren. Meanwhile, the Earl extended well-wishes to his soon-to-be ex-wife, telling reporters: "I only wish Karen the very best for the future."
With the Spencer name carrying significant weight in both aristocratic and royal circles, this high-profile split is sure to be a subject of ongoing analysis and speculation.
