Earl of Devon Announces Engagement to Former Racehorse Trainer's Wife
Charles Courtenay, the 50-year-old Earl of Devon, has revealed his engagement to Jemima Hannon, 43, the former wife of renowned British racehorse trainer Richard Hannon. This announcement comes just over a year after his separation from Allison Joy Langer, the American actress famously known for her role in the television series Baywatch.
A New Chapter at Powderham Castle
The couple plans to reside at Powderham Castle, the historic family estate situated near Exeter with its own deer park along the banks of the River Exe. "We are pleased to announce that Charlie, Earl of Devon, and his wonderful girlfriend, Jemima Hannon, are engaged," confirmed his spokesman. "Along with their four children, they are delighted to unite their families and look forward to the many joys ahead."
Jemima Hannon, a Bristol University graduate and former three-day eventer, initially met her previous husband through their shared passion for horses. She later transitioned into a career as an estate agent and co-founded a business specialising in purchasing country houses for clients. None of those properties, however, will match the grandeur of Powderham Castle, where she will now make her home with the earl.
Previous Marriage to Baywatch Actress Ends
The earl's marriage to Allison Joy Langer, known as AJ, began in 2005 after they met in Las Vegas during a rugby tour. They initially settled in California but relocated to Powderham Castle following the death of his father, the 18th Earl of Devon, in 2015. The couple had two children together: Lady Joscelyn Courtenay, now 19, and Jack, Lord Courtenay, 16.
In a candid interview, the countess publicly expressed her difficulties adjusting to life in Britain, stating, "I may have underestimated the realities for myself. It was the same for my husband, who had been my hippy, feminist husband in California for ten years." She added, "I was, like, 'Where did my hippy, feminist husband go?' And all of a sudden these patriarchal things start coming out of his mouth. I'm, like, 'Who are you? Where's my Charlie?' So it's a lot of recalibrating."
Despite opening Powderham's grounds for pop and rock concerts, the couple announced their separation in 2023, marking the end of their nearly two-decade-long marriage.
Blending Families and Moving Forward
The engagement to Jemima Hannon represents a fresh start for the earl, who will now blend his family with hers. Richard Hannon, Jemima's former husband, is a highly respected figure in British horse racing, having trained horses for notable owners including Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson.
This union not only brings together two prominent families but also signifies a new era for the historic Powderham Castle, which continues to serve as a central hub for the Courtenay family's life and legacy.
