The Duke of Marlborough, a prominent aristocrat and relative of Sir Winston Churchill, has formally declared he will fight allegations that he strangled his estranged wife on three separate occasions.
Court Appearance and Charges
Charles James Spencer-Churchill, the 12th Duke of Marlborough, appeared at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 5th January 2026. The Duke, who listed his address as the historic Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, indicated not guilty pleas to three counts of non-fatal intentional strangulation.
He is accused of assaulting his estranged wife, Edla Marlborough, during incidents alleged to have occurred in 2022, 2023, and 2024. The court heard the details of each charge during the hearing.
Details of the Alleged Assaults
The prosecution outlined a series of alleged violent encounters. The first charge relates to 13th November 2022, when the Duke is alleged to have struck Ms Marlborough several times before placing his hands around her neck.
A second alleged incident took place on 23rd April 2023. The court was told Ms Marlborough ran into a laundry room, but the defendant allegedly followed her, grabbed her, hit her with a closed fist, and then strangled her.
The final charge concerns an event on 29th January 2024. It is alleged the Duke pushed Ms Marlborough onto a bed and assaulted her after putting his hands tightly around her neck.
Next Steps in the Case
All three charges are alleged to have happened at locations within Woodstock, Oxfordshire. Spencer-Churchill, who wore a navy suit, white shirt, and blue tie for his court appearance, spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth before indicating his not guilty pleas.
The case is ongoing and will be updated as proceedings develop. The charges of non-fatal strangulation carry significant legal weight, reflecting a heightened recognition of the seriousness of such assaults in UK law.
