Charles Spencer returns home after surprise wedding to Cat Jarman in Arizona


Princess Diana's younger brother, 61, married his new bride Cat Jarman in the stunning red desert of Arizona last Friday


Earl Spencer and Professor Cat Jarman married privately in Arizona on Friday© Caitlyn Jennings
Eleanor Dye
Eleanor DyeOnline Royal Correspondent
Updated: 2 minutes ago
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Charles Spencer has returned home after a flying visit to the US to marry his new bride, Cat Jarman. 

Princess Diana's younger brother, 61, revealed on Thursday that he was back at the Althorp Estate in Northamptonshire, home to the late royal's final resting place. 

The Earl married Norwegian archaeologist Cat, 43, last Friday in Arizona, sharing stunning wedding photos in front of the iconic Cathedral Rock in the red hills of Sedona. 

He's now returned home after the week-long visit, sharing some beautiful pictures of Althorp on Instagram to announce being back in the UK. 

Recommended videoYou may also likeWATCH: Charles Spencer honeymoons with new bride Cat

Charles shared a glimpse of one of the estate's peacocks basking amid birdsong in the evening sunlight, writing: "Handsome young peacock, taking it easy at Althorp this evening…"

Peacocks Tim and Jim live on the estate, alongside a Labrador, a barn cat called Rudy, and sheep called Minty and Lucky. 

Charles Spencer shared a picture of a magnificent peacock as he revealed he's returned home to Althorp© Instagram / @charles.earl.spencer
Charles Spencer shared a picture of a magnificent peacock as he revealed he's returned home to Althorp

People soon rushed to the comments to congratulate Charles on his wedding, with one person writing: "Congratulations on your marriage you both look so happy… and the peacock is amazing."

A surprise royal wedding!

On Tuesday, the Earl revealed he had married for the fourth time, sharing stunning photographs of his desert wedding. 

In photos captured by Caitlyn Jennings, Cat was seen wearing an unconventional blue Grecian-style dress, featuring a low V-neckline and a billowing skirt.

Earl Spencer and Professor Cat Jarman married privately in Arizona on Friday© Caitlyn Jennings
Charles and Cat began dating two years ago

Taking to Instagram, Charles said it was the "happiest day ever", revealing the ceremony took place on Friday, 15 May.

The couple, both published authors, have been dating for two years and met after Charles was asked to review one of Cat's books, called River Kings.

Both parties have been married before. The Earl was first married to model Victoria Aitken (née Lockwood) for eight years, from 1989 to 1997. They wed at St Mary's Church in Great Brington, with Prince Harry as a pageboy. They share four children together - Lady Kitty, 35, twins Lady Eliza and Lady Amelia, 33, and Viscount Louis, 32.

Earl Spencer and Professor Cat Jarman married privately in Arizona on Friday© Cat Spencer
The couple posed for a selfie during their private nuptials

His second wife was Caroline Freud, the ex-wife of businessman Matthew Freud, to whom he was married for six years. They had two children together, the Hon. Edmund, born in 2003, and Lady Lara, 20.

The Earl then married Countess Karen Spencer in 2011, a 53-year-old Canadian social entrepreneur. They share a daughter, Charlotte, whom they welcomed in 2012. 

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Cat was previously married to ex-husband Tom Jarman and is the mother of two sons.

Honeymooning 

Charles and Cat also chose to honeymoon in the USA during their whirlwind wedding week.

Althorp Estate is home to some stunning wildlife© Instagram / @charles.earl.spencer
Althorp Estate is home to some stunning wildlife

The newlyweds shared pictures and videos of themselves riding on horseback through a desert landscape. 

Charles's footage showed Cat in front of him, riding a piebald horse, with a guide in front of them. Cat also shared a picturesque sunset, captioned "honeymoon", paying tribute to her new husband with a post that read: "Love you endlessly."

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