Earl Spencer has publicly praised his 'inspirational' girlfriend, Dr Cat Jarman, after the archaeologist shared an emotional update detailing her significant progress in a long-term battle with multiple sclerosis (MS).
A Private Battle Forced into the Public Eye
The 43-year-old Norwegian academic, who has been in a relationship with Princess Diana's younger brother, 61, since last year, disclosed that she spent nine years fearing she might never regain full use of her right arm and worried her body would soon fail her. Dr Jarman had secretly lived with the condition for six years before her diagnosis was thrust into the public domain during a bitter dispute with Earl Spencer's estranged wife, Countess Karen Spencer, 53.
She has accused the Countess of sharing confidential medical information without her consent, triggering an ongoing High Court privacy battle. Legal costs for both sides are now estimated to exceed £2 million, with Dr Jarman's team alone accounting for over £1.2 million.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Dr Jarman described the past year as 'horrendous beyond belief'. She stated: 'Having been forced to reveal my previously secret disability because someone callously and maliciously chose to share it without my knowledge and tell lies about it has been horrendous beyond belief.'
Breakthroughs in Treatment and 'Excellent' NHS Care
Despite the immense emotional toll, Dr Jarman's update was overwhelmingly positive, focusing on remarkable physical progress. She credited recent breakthroughs in treatment and the 'excellent care' received from the NHS for helping her achieve far more than she ever thought possible.
'I’d give anything to be able to go back to that 2016 version of me, terrified that it was the end of my life as I knew it,' she wrote. She revealed that, contrary to earlier fears of deterioration, she is now fitter than ever. 'Because of the excellent care I got from the NHS and amazing advancements in treatment options, I’m now fitter than I’ve ever been and there’s no reason to think I’ll ever deteriorate.'
Her recovery has been so profound that she has taken up horse riding and even mounted archery at The Knights of Middle England in Warwick. 'Something I never thought I’d be able to do when I was diagnosed with MS nine years ago: shooting arrows from the back of a fast moving horse,' she said, calling the achievement 'a massive f*** you to MS'.
Love, Support, and a 'Viking Spirit'
Earl Spencer, moved by her resilience, left a supportive comment on her post, calling her an 'inspiration' and praising her 'Viking spirit'. Dr Jarman expressed deep gratitude for his encouragement, which motivated her to take up riding as a means of rebuilding both strength and joy.
'I am so grateful to [Charles] for all his love and support and for encouraging me to take up riding as a distraction,' she shared. The couple also co-host the podcast 'The Rabbit Hole Detective' with Reverend Richard Coles.
Dr Jarman's MS first manifested while she was completing her PhD at the University of Bristol, with symptoms including electric-shock pains and a weakened arm. Although medication now stabilises her condition, she acknowledges the unpredictable nature of MS remains a constant concern. The archaeologist's story highlights a personal triumph over adversity, set against the backdrop of a costly legal fight over medical privacy.
