The 12th Duke of Marlborough, Charles James Spencer-Churchill, has been formally charged with three counts of intentional strangulation, Thames Valley Police has confirmed.
Details of the Charges and Court Appearance
The 70-year-old aristocrat, formerly known as Jamie Blandford, is accused of three separate offences of non-fatal intentional strangulation. The alleged incidents are said to have occurred between November 2022 and May 2024 in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, and involve the same complainant.
Spencer-Churchill was initially arrested in May of last year. He has now been summonsed and is scheduled to appear at Oxford Magistrates' Court this Thursday to face the charges.
A Prominent Aristocratic Figure
The duke is a member of one of Britain's most notable families, being a relative of both Sir Winston Churchill and Diana, Princess of Wales. Known to his family as Jamie, he inherited the Marlborough title in 2014 following the death of his father, the 11th Duke.
Prior to becoming the duke, he was known as the Marquess of Blandford. His life has been marked by public struggles, including a well-documented battle with drug addiction in past decades.
Connection to Blenheim Palace
The Spencer-Churchill family's ancestral seat is the world-famous Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, a Unesco World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. The 300-year-old baroque palace, however, is not owned by the current duke.
It is owned and managed by the independent Blenheim Palace Heritage Foundation. This arrangement stems from legal action taken by his late father in 1994 to prevent his son from taking control of the estate.
A spokesperson for the foundation stated: "Blenheim Palace Heritage Foundation is aware legal proceedings have been brought against the Duke of Marlborough. The foundation is unable to comment on the charges, which relate to the duke's personal conduct and private life."
The palace remains a major tourist attraction and has hosted significant events, including a reception for European leaders by The King in July 2024. It was also the scene of the infamous 2019 theft of a solid gold toilet valued at £4.75 million.
Representatives for the Duke of Marlborough have been approached for comment regarding the charges.
