Relative of Princess Diana Accused of Intentional Strangulation in the UK

Although the case centres on one individual, the fallout has drawn renewed public scrutiny due to the accused's royal ties and status within Britain's nobility.

A British duke is facing multiple charges of intentional strangulation following a police investigation in Oxfordshire, England.

Thames Valley Police confirmed that a man has been charged with three counts of non-fatal strangulation in connection with incidents said to have occurred between November 2022 and May 2024.

All three alleged offences took place in Woodstock, according to authorities, and involve the same individual. The accused was first arrested on May 13, 2024, and is due to appear at Oxford Magistrates' Court on Thursday, December 18, 2025.

The man at the centre of the case is Charles James Spencer-Churchill, better known as the 12th Duke of Marlborough. The 70-year-old peer, also known as Jamie Blandford, is a first cousin, three times removed, of Sir Winston Churchill and a relative of Diana, former Princess of Wales.

Despite not playing a role in the estate's operations, the 12th Duke of Marlborough has remained linked to Blenheim Palace through ceremonial occasions.

The accused has long been a controversial figure within one of Britain's most prominent noble families, having openly struggled with drug addiction in the past. His title is tied to Blenheim Palace, the vast 18th-century estate in Oxfordshire where Sir Winston was born.

While Blenheim remains the ancestral family home, the 12th Duke of Marlborough does not own or manage the palace, nor is he involved in its operations.

The estate is administered by the Blenheim Palace Heritage Foundation, a charitable trust governed by independent trustees. In a statement, a spokesperson for the foundation said:

"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, and which are subject to live, criminal proceedings."

They added, "The foundation is not owned or managed by the Duke of Marlborough, but by independent entities run by boards of trustees."

In 1994, the 12th Duke of Marlborough's father launched legal action to block his son and heir from assuming early control of the family seat, further distancing the noble title from the estate's management.

Despite not playing a role in the estate's operations, the 12th Duke of Marlborough has remained linked to Blenheim Palace through ceremonial occasions. In July 2024, His Majesty the King hosted a reception for European leaders at Blenheim.

Queen Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall, also joined the duke in 2015 for the unveiling of a bust of Sir Winston Churchill in the grounds. Further developments in the case are expected following the upcoming court appearance of Princess Diana's relative.