William Hickey

Bringing the gossip since 1933

- By Robert Meakin

MORE than a year since news of their bitter marital split, Charles Spencer’s third wife Karen intends to remain close to the Earl’s ancestral home.

Having only recently vacated her husband’s Althorp estate in Northamptonshire, Canadian-born Countess Spencer, pictured, who has daughter Charlotte with Charles, confirms that she’ll be remaining in the East Midlands county.

“I bought a house! It’s official, paperwork was signed yesterday,” she enthuses. “It’s a beautiful and peaceful home in gorgeous Northamptonshire, surrounded by nature, and a wonderful community of friends.”

Alongside divorce proceedings with Spencer, also pictured, Karen’s locked in a legal battle with the Earl’s current Norwegian girlfriend Cat Jarman, after the latter accused the Countess of leaking details of her multiple sclerosis diagnosis.