Charles Spencer, the ninth Earl Spencer and uncle to the late Princess Diana, recently shared his rocky parenting path. He and his wife Tonya have seven children, with ages ranging from 12 to 34. The Earl has navigated the stormy seas of fatherhood in three marital voyages. He is fiercely committed to loving and protecting his kids as they grow up.
Spencer’s first marriage to Victoria Lockwood produced four children: Lady Kitty Eleanor Lewis, aged 34; Louis, 31; and twins Eliza and Amelia, both 32. The eldest, Kitty, has recently emerged as a well-known leader on the national scene. In the meantime, Louis is the heir to the family seat at Althorp.
With his second wife, Caroline Freud, Spencer welcomed two more children: Edmund, 21, and Lara, 19. Furthermore, he has a daughter, Charlotte Diana, 12, with his former wife Karen Spencer. This unique mix of ages and experiences, deeply rooted in family, creates a new dynamic to Spencer’s family.
In looking back on his style of parenting, Spencer spoke with a mix of the heavy-handed and the heavy-hearted. He confessed to being “super, super hands-on and freaking out” when his first child was born. His experiences have all made him think twice about his first instinct to protect.
“You think your first child should be wrapped in cotton wool, and now I think, no, they’re going to be fine,” – Charles Spencer.
These days, he is focused on fostering a playful and intellectually stimulating environment for his kids. “I just want to give them lots of love and be a safe place,” he stated. This approach emphasizes his parenting priorities, one of the most difficult tasks of raising seven young children.
Spencer explained that for him and his children, the car is an environment where kids feel safe to express the most honest thoughts and feelings. These moments provide valuable opportunities for connection and understanding in an otherwise busy family life.
The Earl manages the tension between private family life and public face with incredible dexterity. He’s passionate about fostering a great bond with all of his children. A big family certainly has its challenges, but plenty of love and laughter. Spencer’s reflections serve as a stark reminder of how indispensable love and support are in the role of parenting.
