Charles Spencer-Churchill charged with non-fatal strangulation

LONDON: A British aristocrat with family ties to Princess Diana and former wartime prime minister Winston Churchill has been charged with strangling his estranged wife, according to court documents released on Thursday.

Charles Spencer-Churchill, the 70-year-old Duke of Marlborough, has been summoned to appear before Oxford Magistrates’ Court on three counts of non-fatal intentional strangulation involving his second wife, Edla Marlborough.

The alleged incidents reportedly occurred between November 2022 and May 2024.

Court Hearing Postponed

The court was told that the duke was unable to attend Thursday’s hearing, leading Judge Kamlesh Rana to adjourn the case. Proceedings are now scheduled to resume on January 5.

According to court records, the alleged offences took place in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, near Blenheim Palace, the ancestral home of the Dukes of Marlborough.

Prominent Aristocratic Lineage

Spencer-Churchill, commonly known as Jamie, belongs to one of Britain’s most prominent aristocratic families. Winston Churchill, Britain’s World War II leader, was his first cousin three times removed and was born at Blenheim Palace.

The duke is also related to Princess Diana through her paternal Spencer family.

In 2024, King Charles III hosted European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Blenheim Palace, underscoring the estate’s ongoing national and diplomatic significance.

Past Struggles and Inheritance

Spencer-Churchill inherited the dukedom in 2014 following his father’s death. While he holds the title, he does not own Blenheim Palace, which is managed by trustees and attracts thousands of visitors annually.

The duke has previously spoken publicly about his struggles with drug addiction, which have drawn media attention in the past.

The case remains ongoing, and no verdict has been reached.