The 12th Duke of Marlborough, Charles James Spencer-Churchill, has been formally summonsed to appear before Oxford Magistrates' Court this Thursday. The charges relate to three alleged offences of non-fatal intentional strangulation.
Details of the Alleged Offences
Thames Valley Police confirmed the 70-year-old aristocrat faces three separate charges. The alleged incidents are said to have occurred in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, between November 2022 and May 2024. All charges involve the same alleged victim.
Spencer-Churchill, often known by his family name Jamie Blandford, was initially arrested on 13 May 2023. The legal process has now progressed to a court summons for the serious offences.
A Prominent Aristocratic Figure
The Duke is a member of one of Britain's most notable families. He is a distant relative of both Sir Winston Churchill and Diana, Princess of Wales. He inherited the Marlborough title in 2014 following the death of his father, the 11th Duke.
His ancestral home is the world-famous Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. However, the Duke does not own or manage the palace. Control was legally secured by his late father in 1994 to prevent his son from taking control. The estate is now run by the independent Blenheim Palace Heritage Foundation.
Institutional Response and Royal Links
A spokesperson for the Blenheim Palace Heritage Foundation stated they were aware of the proceedings. They emphasised the foundation's independence, noting: "The foundation is not owned or managed by the Duke of Marlborough... The charges relate to the duke’s personal conduct and private life."
The palace remains a venue for high-profile events. Notably, King Charles hosted European leaders there in July 2024. The Duke was also present in 2015 when Queen Camilla, then the Duchess of Cornwall, helped unveil a bust of Sir Winston Churchill on the grounds.
The Duke's representatives have been approached for comment regarding the upcoming court appearance. The case continues to develop as the legal proceedings get underway in Oxford.
