Charles Spencer hired the same lawyers that his former brother-in-law, King Charles III, used in his divorce from Princess Diana.
The Times reported that the 9th Earl Spencer, brother of the late Princess of Wales, has hired Fiona Shackleton to represent him in his divorce from his third wife, Karen Spencer.
According to the outlet, Shackleton is the same lawyer who was hired by Prince Charles when he divorced Princess Diana in 1996.
The Prince and Princess of Wales separated in 1992 after 11 years of marriage. Their divorce was finalized a year before Diana, 36, died in a car crash in Paris.
Princess Diana’s brother Charles Spencer announces ‘saddening’ divorce from third wife Karen Spencer
The UK newspaper The Times reported that Earl Charles Spencer had hired Fiona Shackleton as his agent. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
Shackleton is well known among royals, having represented Prince Andrew during the divorce of Sarah Ferguson in 1996 and Princess Haya bint Al Hussein of Jordan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai during their separation in 2019.
A Shackleton spokesman declined to comment to Fox News Digital.
Fiona Shackleton also represented Beatle Paul McCartney and Heather Mills during their divorce in 2008. (Sean Curry/AFP via Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth appointed the barrister to a life peerage and bestowed the title Baroness Shackleton of Belgravia in 2010, according to People magazine. The magazine reported that Shackleton is currently a member of the House of Lords and attended the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May 2018.
Fiona Shackleton is known among royal insiders. (Daniel Berefrak/Getty Images)
The 60-year-old Spencer and his wife are ending their marriage of nearly 13 years. The British aristocrat announced the separation in an interview with the Mail on Sunday.
“I am very sad,” Earl told media about the divorce. “I just want to do everything for my children and grandchildren and I wish Karen all the best for the future.”
A spokesman for Spencer did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Click here to sign up for our Entertainment Newsletter
Princess Diana and Prince Charles separated in 1992 and their divorce was finalized in 1996. (Jane Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images)
According to the outlet, Prince Charles and Countess Spencer’s marriage ended while he was writing his memoir, “A Very Private School.” The couple announced their separation privately to staff at Althorp House, Prince Charles’ ancestral home, in April.
The outlet also reported that Spencer is “becoming close” with Norwegian archaeologist Dr Kat Jarman, and that the pair “seem very happy together” but that it is still “in the early stages.”
Jarman is co-host of the history podcast “The Rabbit Hole Detectives” with Spencer and the Reverend Richard Coles.
Princess Haya bint Al Hussein arrives at the High Court in London with her lawyer Fiona Shackleton on November 13, 2019. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Spencer and Karen, 52, married at Althorp House in June 2011. The wedding took place two months after Spencer’s nephew, Prince William, married Kate Middleton. Althorp House, the historic English mansion where Spencer and his sister Diana grew up, became their home after their marriage. The couple have a 12-year-old daughter, Charlotte Diana, named in honour of her royal aunt.
Karen is a social entrepreneur and founder and CEO of Whole Child International. She has two daughters from her previous marriage to Hollywood producer Mark Gordon.
Spencer has been married three times, with four children to his first wife, Victoria Lockwood, and two to his second wife, Caroline Floyd.
Did you enjoy reading this? For more entertainment news click here
Charles Spencer and Karen Spencer arrive at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England on May 19, 2018. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
In her memoir, “A Very Private School,” Spencer revealed that she was sexually abused as a child. For many years, Spencer kept the abuse a secret, but after two failed marriages, she realized she needed help.
Charles Spencer was married to British model Victoria Lockwood from 1989 to 1997. (Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
“I was so confused by countless failed relationships, deep unhappiness and two divorces,” he previously told Fox News Digital. “I also wanted to do something for my kids. That was the catalyst, really. I wanted to be better for my kids, I wanted to be a better dad.”
“I don’t know if they would agree that I was through with it, but that was my goal. And if I wasn’t a parent, I probably would have just continued to deal with it.” [Saying it out loud] It was incredibly helpful. It didn’t get to the root of the problem, but it did point me in the direction of more conscientious treatment.”
Charles Spencer was married to Caroline Floyd from 2001 to 2007. (Dave Bennett/Getty Images)
Mr Spencer said he has “really turned things around” in the last three to four months, particularly since writing his book, and he continues to use “very effective” treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as tai chi and breathing exercises.
Fiona Shackleton reportedly represented Prince Andrew (right) in his divorce from Sarah Ferguson in 1996. (John Shelley Collection/Avalon/Getty Images)
“We have a lot of support technology to help you get to a better place,” he said.
After the book was released, Spencer told People magazine that Karen had been “supportive.”
“I think it was very difficult for her to have her husband undergo what was essentially four and a half years of the most serious treatment with a very difficult background,” he told the outlet, “and she was supportive of the idea of me undergoing it.”
Click here to get the FOX News app
Countess Spencer and Earl Spencer attend the 2017 Portrait Gala at the National Portrait Gallery in London on March 28, 2017. (David M. Bennett/Dave Bennett/Getty Images for William & Son)
“I think my mother always wanted me to grow up happier and healthier,” he added, “and it seems that’s exactly what happened, so I’m grateful that she was there for me while I went through this process, which I now understand was a necessary one.”
