Duke of Marlborough Denies Strangling His Estranged Wife
The Duke of Marlborough is facing serious allegations of domestic violence against his estranged wife, Edla Marlborough. Charles James Spencer-Churchill, age 70, is accused of strangling her multiple times over an 18-month period. The incidents, which are under scrutiny in High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court, include three specific occasions of alleged intentional strangulation.
Details of the Allegations
During a court appearance, the Duke denied all charges. The accusations include:
- On 13 November 2022, the duke allegedly strangled her during a dispute in their garden.
- On 23 April 2023, he reportedly grabbed her hair, struck her, and then choked her.
- On 29 January 2024, he is accused of tightly grasping her neck.
The court has scheduled hearings, with a subsequent appearance at Oxford Crown Court set for 5 February. The Duke has indicated that he will plead not guilty to all counts.
Background of the Duke
The Duke married Edla Griffiths, a Welsh ceramicist, in 2002 after a seven-year courtship. The couple separated in 2024. He inherited the dukedom in 2014 following the death of his father, the 11th Duke of Marlborough. The Duke is a first cousin, three times removed, of Sir Winston Churchill and shares a distant ancestry with the late Princess Diana.
His family home, Blenheim Palace, located in Woodstock, is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and is currently managed by the Blenheim Palace Heritage Foundation. The foundation has publicly stated that it cannot comment on the ongoing criminal proceedings, noting that the issues pertain to the Duke’s personal life and conduct.
Conclusion
The allegations against the Duke of Marlborough are serious and could have significant implications for his personal and public life. As he prepares to contest these charges, the legal proceedings will be closely monitored.
