Duke of Marlborough Faces Additional Charges of Controlling or Coercive Behaviour
Charles James Spencer-Churchill, the 12th Duke of Marlborough, has been charged with two counts of controlling or coercive behaviour towards his estranged wife, Edla Marlborough, during a recent appearance at Oxford Crown Court. This development adds to the serious allegations already facing the aristocrat, who is a relative of both Sir Winston Churchill and Diana, Princess of Wales.
Court Proceedings and Existing Charges
On Thursday, the Duke appeared before Judge Ian Pringle KC at Oxford Crown Court, where a court indictment revealed the new charges. These allege controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship between 29 December 2015 and 8 September 2024. Spencer-Churchill was not required to enter formal pleas to any of the five charges he now faces.
The Duke had previously indicated not guilty pleas to three separate charges of intentional strangulation against Edla Marlborough, alleged to have occurred between November 2022 and April 2024. These incidents were detailed in previous hearings at High Wycombe Magistrates' Court, with accusations including striking, grabbing, and strangling his wife during arguments at their home.
Background and Personal Details
Spencer-Churchill, known familiarly as Jamie, inherited his dukedom following the death of his father in 2014, making his wife the Duchess of Marlborough. The couple married in 2002 after dating for seven years, with the Duke describing his address to the court as Blenheim Palace, the historic family seat in Woodstock.
They have two children together: Lady Araminta Spencer-Churchill, born in 2007, and Lord Caspar Spencer-Churchill, born in 2008. The couple separated in 2024, marking the end of their twenty-two-year marriage.
Legal Status and Future Proceedings
During the recent hearing, the Duke was granted conditional bail, and a provisional trial date has been set for 10 January 2028. The case continues to develop as the legal process unfolds, with all charges subject to live criminal proceedings.
It is important to note that Blenheim Palace, the 300-year-old ancestral home and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, is not owned or managed by the Duke. The Blenheim Palace Heritage Foundation, which operates the estate, has stated that the charges relate solely to the Duke's personal conduct and private life, over which they have no jurisdiction or involvement.
