Earl Spencer's ex-wife Countess Karen buys £3.6m mansion just 10 miles from Althorp – report


The Countess moved out of Althorp House in Northamptonshire in 2024, but it appears she isn't leaving it far behind after reportedly purchasing a new property


Countess Spencer and charles split with aerial view of althorp© Getty
Eleanor Dye
Eleanor DyeOnline Royal Correspondent
44 minutes ago

Countess Karen Spencer has purchased a new home just 10 miles from the Althorp Estate, according to new reports. 

Earl Spencer's third wife, who has kept her Countess title following their split, is said to have purchased a £3.6 million mansion using part of her divorce settlement, as per the Daily Mail.

Karen's 13-year marriage to Charles Spencer ended in 2024, and the couple shares a 14-year-old daughter called Charlotte.

Princess Diana's younger brother, 62, remarried for the fourth time earlier this year, tying the knot with Norwegian archaeologist Cat Jarman in Arizona.  

Countess Spencer in California in 2017© WireImage
Karen Spencer has reportedly purchased a home only 10 miles from Althorp

Canadian-born entrepreneur Karen, 54, who moved to the UK in 2011, previously revealed she had been living in a rental property after moving out of Althorp, the Spencer family home.

Her new six-bedroom property boasts a heated swimming pool, a tennis court, a gym, and outdoor dining areas.

WATCH: Inside Charles Spencer's split from third wife Countess Karen

The house move comes less than two weeks after the publication of the Earl's memoir about his late sister Diana. 

Swan Song: Diana my Sister sparked a war of words with the Palace after claiming that King Charles appeared "giddily elated" after his ex-wife's death and told the Earl: "We'll forget her soon enough".

Countess Spencer's next steps after moving out of Althorp 

During their relationship, Countess Karen lived with the Earl at his ancestral home, Althorp House in Northamptonshire. 

She would regularly share impressive insights into the home's family history, and glimpses of her taking care of the animals that roamed the grounds. 

He spent part of his childhood growing up at Althorp, the Spencer family seat where Princess Diana spent her childhood© WireImage
Countess Karen used to live at Althorp with her ex-husband

Karen and Charles confirmed they were separating in April 2024, with the Countess leaving Althorp four months later.

In November 2024, she revealed she was "embarking on a new chapter" after finding a new rental property, but admitted it "hadn't been easy" and was a "challenging" time, especially when finding somewhere suitable for her pets.

In August 2025, Karen revealed she had purchased a new home and moved in two months later, spending a "magical" Christmas there.

View post on Instagram
 

She shared at the time: "Exciting update, I bought a house! It's official, paperwork was signed yesterday. It's a beautiful and peaceful home in gorgeous Northamptonshire, surrounded by nature, and a wonderful community of friends."

Earl Spencer's legal case with Karen after split  

Following their split, the Countess was involved in a legal battle with Earl Spencer's new partner after Cat claimed that Countess Karen had revealed her MS diagnosis to Charles and staff at Althorp.

The case was settled out of court last year for an undisclosed sum, with no admission of liability. 

Earl Spencer now manages his family seat with girlfriend Professor Cat Jarman (pictured in November)© Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty Im
Earl Spencer now manages his family seat with his new wife Professor Cat Jarman (pictured in November)

In her defence, Countess Karen revealed details about the split, such as her contention that her 13-year-marriage was ended by her husband via text message (a claim the Earl refuted).

She also allegedly refused to allow the Earl's new lover into Althorp while she was still living there, claiming it was too painful for her, the children and the staff.

Charles Spencer said in a statement: "Cat has handled every aspect of this with grace, integrity and quiet courage. She sought only what was her right: the same right to privacy that every person deserves. 

"Multiple sclerosis is a serious condition; its course is uncertain and its demands are significant. Those who live with the condition deserve complete control over when, how and to whom they choose to disclose it."

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