Earl Spencer’s estranged wife, Karen Spencer, and his partner, Professor Cat Jarman, have reached a settlement in a High Court privacy dispute that reportedly accumulated legal costs exceeding £2.2 million. The case arose from allegations that Countess Spencer disclosed sensitive medical information about Professor Jarman without her consent.
Professor Jarman, a Norwegian archaeologist aged 43, filed the claim in October 2024 after accusing Countess Spencer, 53, of improperly revealing that she has multiple sclerosis. The claim focused on the misuse of private information, alleging that details about Jarman’s condition were shared with Earl Spencer and others without permission.
The parties agreed to resolve the matter without Countess Spencer admitting any liability or wrongdoing. As part of the settlement, Earl Spencer, 61, is expected to cover the bulk of the legal expenses, including damages amounting to £4,500 payable to Professor Jarman. The exact amount owing remains contested between the former spouses as part of their ongoing divorce proceedings.
A spokesperson for Countess Spencer stated that the dispute has been “resolved in an agreed settlement” and that the countess “considers her position fully vindicated.” They added that the countess hopes this resolution will bring an end to the matter.
Professor Jarman described the settlement as a vindication of her decision to pursue legal action. She emphasized her right to control the disclosure of her medical condition and said the case was necessary to protect her privacy, career, and livelihood. She expressed relief at the resolution, adding that it allows her to move forward.
The dispute between the parties stemmed from personal issues tied to Earl Spencer’s relationship with Professor Jarman, who was working on an archaeological dig for a Roman villa at the Earl’s Althorp estate. Karen Spencer accused Earl Spencer of engaging in an affair with Professor Jarman, which the archaeologist initially denied, describing their relationship as a friendship until after the Earl and Countess announced their separation in June 2024. Earl Spencer publicly confirmed his relationship with Professor Jarman in October 2024.
Legal documents reveal that Countess Spencer was reportedly informed by Earl Spencer via text message in March 2024 that their marriage, which began in 2011 and produced one daughter, was over. The countess’s defence papers allege the couple’s marriage dissolved after nearly 13 years, a breakup she described as devastating, particularly after relocating from the United States to Northamptonshire to support family estate affairs.
Further court documents indicate that Countess Spencer confronted Professor Jarman’s ex-husband, Tom Jarman, and learned that the affair between Earl Spencer and Professor Jarman had been ongoing since late 2022. Professor Jarman said she kept her diagnosis private and had only informed a few individuals, excluding Earl Spencer at the early stages of their relationship.
Earl Spencer has denied ending the marriage by text and asserted that it was Countess Spencer who initiated divorce proceedings. The legal dispute has now concluded pending the finalisation of divorce-related financial arrangements.