Princess Diana: Earl Spencer admits he finds royal life 'hard'

       Earl Charles Spencer has taken to social media following the news on Saturday that he and his wife Karen Gordon are separating, a third divorce for Princess Diana's younger brother.

       Nevertheless, the Earl seemed to be in good spirits as he posted pictures from a family outing on Sunday on his Instagram, as he took his sons to watch the rugby.

       He shared a picture of a packed rugby stadium on his story with the caption: "Wonderful to witness @northamptonsaints becoming rugby premiership champions with my sons yesterday."

       The Spencer family home, Althorp House, is situated in Northamptonshire and is also where Princess Diana is buried, on a small island on the Oval Lake.

       Historian and author Charles Spencer attended the rugby with his two sons, his heir Louis, Viscount, Althorp, and his younger brother Edmund Spencer.

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       Earl Spencer and his third wife Karen Gordon are divorcing. (Image: Getty)

       Earl Spencer has seven children altogether from his three marriages: Lady Kitty, Lady Eliza, Lady Amelia and Louis from his first marriage to Victoria Lockwood, Edmund and Lady Lara from his union with Caroline Freud and Lady Charlotte with Ms Gordon.

       The Earl and Ms Gordon, a philanthropist from Canada, were set up on a blind date in 2010 and wed in June 2011, welcoming their daughter a little over a year later.

       The 60-year-old shared a statement with the Mail on Sunday: "It is immensely sad. I just want to devote myself to all my children, and to my grandchildren, and I wish Karen every happiness in the future."

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       Ms Gordon and the Earl were married for 13 years. (Image: Getty)

       The news has also come at a hard time for Ms Gordon, as she revealed earlier this week that her father had passed away from Alzheimer's disease.

       She posted on social media: "My father passed away today after a long battle with Alzheimer's. I was happy to be there to support my mother and brother who have been doing the bulk of the heavy lifting in dealing with his care here on Vancouver Island."

       The philanthropist and founder of the Whole Child charity has two older daughters, Emma and Kate, from her previous relationship with Mark Gordon.

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       The Earl remains close to his nephew Prince Harry. (Image: Getty)

       The Earl, who had a close relationship with his sister Diana, has also remained on good terms with Prince Harry, attending the Invictus Games 10th anniversary service with his nephew last month.

       However, it appears his bonds with his eldest children are not so strong, as he did not attend the weddings of his daughters Kitty and Amelia in 2021 and 2023 respectively.

       At the time Kitty posted a telling message on her Instagram: "The proudest moment of my life, without a doubt, was having my brothers walk me down the aisle.

       "Thank you to our family and friends for the most unforgettable weekend filled with more love and laughter and happiness than I have ever known. It still feels like a dream."

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