The Duke of Marlborough, Charles James Spencer-Churchill, has denied charges of intentional strangulation against his estranged wife, Edla Marlborough, in a series of alleged domestic incidents spanning from November 2022 to January 2024. The 70-year-old aristocrat, who is a distant relative of Winston Churchill and Princess Diana, appeared at High Wycombe Magistrates' Court, where he indicated not guilty pleas to all charges.

Allegations of Domestic Violence

The court heard that the first incident occurred on 13 November 2022, following a heated argument in the garden of their home. Prosecutors allege that the Duke struck Edla Marlborough multiple times before placing his hands around her neck. A second incident on 23 April 2023 reportedly involved the Duke grabbing her hair and hitting her with a closed fist in a laundry room, followed by another act of strangulation. The final accusation, dated 29 January 2024, describes the Duke allegedly grabbing her tightly around the neck before pushing her onto a bed.

Legal Proceedings and Historical Context

Spencer-Churchill, who resides at Blenheim Palace, was granted conditional bail and is scheduled to appear at Oxford Crown Court on 5 February to formally enter his pleas. The Duke, formerly known as the Marquess of Blandford, inherited his title in 2014 after the death of his father, the 11th Duke of Marlborough. He married Edla, a Welsh ceramicist, in 2002, but the couple reportedly separated in 2024.

Blenheim Palace and Public Reaction

Blenheim Palace, the Duke's ancestral home and a UNESCO World Heritage site, is managed by the Blenheim Palace Heritage Foundation. The foundation has stated it is unable to comment on the charges, emphasizing that the estate is operated by independent entities. The allegations have drawn public attention due to the Duke's prominent lineage and the historical significance of Blenheim Palace, which was gifted to the first Duke of Marlborough by Queen Anne in 1704.