A duke related to each Princess Diana, the late first wife of King Charles III, and British wartime leader Winston Churchill stands accused of intentional strangulation in the UK, based on multiple reports.
The costs that were filed against Charles James Spencer-Churchill stem from three alleged incidents that authorities claim occurred over an 18-month period, reports the Independent.
Spencer-Churchill, who’s the twelfth Duke of Marlborough, was arrested greater than a 12 months ago on May 13, 2024, on three counts of intentional strangulation after the identical person alleged the 70-year-old of attacking them, based on BBC.
Formerly generally known as Jamie Blandford, Spencer-Churchill allegedly attacked the victim in Woodstock in Oxfordshire, England, between November 2022 and May 2024.
The alleged attacks were non-fatal, and the name of the victim has not been released. A motive for the alleged attacks also has not been disclosed.
The BBC reports that Spencer-Churchill is the primary cousin — thrice removed — of Sir Winston Churchill. He lives on the 300-year-old Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, which is his family’s ancestral estate. It is usually the birthplace of the late British Prime Minister.
Nonetheless, the estate is owned by the Unesco World Heritage Site, based on the station.
The duke is ready to look on the Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, December 18.
A spokesperson said in a press release to the Independent that “Blenheim Palace Heritage Foundation is aware legal proceedings have been brought against the Duke of Marlborough.
“The inspiration is unable to comment on the costs, which relate to the duke’s personal conduct and personal life, and that are subject to live, criminal proceedings,” the muse continued. “The inspiration shouldn’t be owned or managed by the Duke of Marlborough, but by independent entities run by boards of trustees.”
Spencer-Churchill is the oldest surviving son of the eleventh Duke of Marlborough and his first wife, who was Susan Mary Hornby. As a member of the Spencer kith, he’s a distant relative to the late Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales, who died in a horrific automobile wreck on August 31, 1997.
Spencer-Churchill is claimed to have inherited his dukedom in 2014, following his father’s death. Before that, the twice-married Spencer-Churchill was the Marquess of Blandford.
The costs against the duke were actually filed under his former name.
The 18th century baroque palace Spencer-Churchill lives in has a storied past.
In 2019, thieves smashed their way into the palace and removed a $6 million dollar 18-carat golden toilet from one among the bathrooms.
King Charles III hosted a reception at Blenheim Palace for European leaders back in July 2024, and the Queen — then the Duchess of Cornwall — joined Spencer-Churchill for the disclosing of a bust of Churchill on the grounds of Blenheim in 2015.
The castle also hosted President Donald Trump back in 2018.
The Independent reported Spencer-Churchill “is well-known to have had a protracted battle with drug addiction prior to now.”
The costs come as Spencer-Churchill prepares to face trial in January 2026 for allegedly driving 80 mph in a 50 mph zone in Yarnton, reports the Oxford Mail.
He’s also charged with failing to supply the identity of a driver who was alleged to have been guilty of an offense.
Us Weekly was unable to succeed in Spencer-Churchill’s representatives for comment.