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Charles Spencer shares incredible wedding photo amid unexpected family history

The Earl discussed his grandparents' relationship

Nichola Murphy
Deputy Lifestyle Editor
October 19, 2022
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Princess Diana's brother Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, shared an incredible throwback wedding photo as he revealed an unknown family scandal.

MORE: Charles Spencer's wife Karen's real feelings about 'damaged' Earl's former marriages

The black and white snap, posted on his Instagram account, showed his grandmother dressed in a long-sleeved, V-neck bridal gown with a flowing skirt, which she teamed with a Juliet cap veil. She held a large bouquet in one hand and linked her other arm through her new husband's, who looked dapper in a traditional morning suit – but what we didn't know is that she met him while dating his brother!

WATCH: Karen Spencer films dramatic fire at home with husband Charles Spencer

Charles – who has been married to his second wife Karen Gordon since 2011 – explained in the caption: "My maternal grandparents, Ruth (née Gill) and Maurice Roche, Baron Fermoy, on their wedding day at Bieldside, Aberdeen, in 1931. My grandmother was a concert pianist, trained at the Paris Conservatoire. 

"She originally dated my great-uncle Frank. Frank said to her: 'You must meet my twin brother, Maurice - he’s much nicer than me.' 'And,' my grandmother told me, 'he was!'"

READ: Prince Harry 'tried to warn' Meghan Markle about royal life with 'frank conversations'

RELATED: Pippa Middleton's rare £250k engagement ring has special royal history

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The Earl shared a throwback wedding photo of his grandparents

His followers were fascinated by the piece of family history, and took to the comments section to share their thoughts. "What a brilliant story!- did Frank regret introducing Ruth to Maurice, I wonder? Or was he letting her down gently- either way, they are a very good looking couple," remarked one, and another added: "How romantic!"

A third commented: "Wonderful sharing your history and that you are proud of them."

charles spencer and wife karen

Charles Spencer and his wife Karen

Charles' sister Diana's introduction to her ex-husband King Charles III was similar, as the former Prince was visiting her elder sister Lady Sarah Spencer when they first crossed paths at Althorp House – the Spencer family home where Charles Spencer still lives today.

Charles was attending a grouse shooting party in 1977, when he was 29 and Diana was 16. Sarah later told The Guardian: "I introduced them; I’m Cupid."

diana charles wedding

King Charles III met his first wife Diana through her sister

Sarah went on to marry Neil Edmund McCorquodale in 1980, while Charles and Diana tied the knot in 1981 and welcomed sons Prince William and Prince Harry before divorcing in 1996.

MORE: Why do royal bridesmaids wear white?

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