Fresh from finalising his high-profile divorce, Charles Spencer has been busy embracing change and marking fresh beginnings. On April 18, 2026, the younger brother of Princess Diana took to Instagram to share:
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"Recent anniversary trip to Oslo with @catjarman - in fact, a double anniversary, as it also marked the end of my first year of not drinking. Never felt better."
This heartfelt message wasn’t just about romance: for Spencer, now 61, it also highlighted a deeply personal achievement, one year of sobriety.
New love, old ties: Spencer steps forward after divorce
Charles Spencer’s relationship with Norwegian-born archaeologist Dr Cat Jarman burst into the spotlight almost two years ago. The pair reportedly met in 2021 during an archaeological dig at Althorp House, Spencer’s famous family estate. By June 2024, The Mail on Sunday revealed their romance to the world. Spencer and Countess Karen Spencer announced their separation in June 2024, but it wasn’t until the end of December 2025 that the divorce was finalised, a detail later confirmed by PEOPLE in February 2026 — almost 13 years after their 2011 Althorp wedding.
Despite walking away from the marriage, Karen Spencer retains her title of Countess unless she remarries, according to details confirmed by a spokesperson for Karen in December 2025. The former couple share a daughter, Charlotte Diana, who turned 13 this year. During this period, Charles Spencer’s Instagram post featured a carousel of four photos taken around Oslo, including the Vigeland Sculpture Park, as he enjoyed the occasion with Jarman.
Oslo celebrations and a year of sobriety
Spencer’s posts were the picture of contentment as he enjoyed time in Oslo with Jarman, who was back in her hometown advising on the new Viking Ship Museum.
"Cat was in her home town - advising on the new Viking ship museum, which is stunning, and will open next year."
Their trip included strolls through Oslo’s famous Vigeland Sculpture Park, with photos capturing both tranquillity and fresh adventure.
This Scandinavian getaway marks not only their anniversary as a couple but also a major milestone in Spencer’s personal journey:
"the end of my first year of not drinking."
For someone who has spent decades under the public and tabloid gaze, it’s a powerful, hopeful update. Meanwhile, Spencer and Jarman continue to share more than just romantic sparks: in 2023, they teamed up with Reverend Richard Coles to launch the hit history podcast The Rabbit Hole Detectives. With new chapters both professional and personal in full swing, the couple seem ready to face whatever’s next, together.
Behind the headlines: legal battles and dignity
Spencer’s latest joy comes after a hectic chapter. Back in December 2024, Cat Jarman revealed to the Daily Mail that she had launched legal proceedings against Karen Spencer for “misuse of private information,” following allegedly distressing disclosures: Jarman claimed Karen had learned of her multiple sclerosis“from someone close to me”. She also “categorically” denied ever having had an affair with Charles Spencer during his previous marriage. By December 2025, a spokesperson for Karen Spencer confirmed the legal action had been settled, closing that particular saga.
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Charles Spencer Celebrates 'Anniversary Trip' with Girlfriend Cat Jarman 4 Months After Divorce Finalized
