The Peerage on Parade ™

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21 February, 2011

Earl of the Hour:
Charles Edward Maurice Spencer,
9th Earl Spencer


Born in 1964 (20 May), this 46-year-old earl (pictured below) is the younger brother of the late Diana, Princess of Wales and uncle to HRH Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales (28; born 21 June, 1982), heir of the heir apparent to the throne, and HRH Prince Henry “Harry” Charles Albert David of Wales (26; born 15 September, 1984).

Earl Spencer was educated at Eton and Oxford, is the holder of five noble titles, including the earldom, and is worth an estimated ₤100 million.  A man with a past, the notorious earl is twice divorced (1997; 2009) in heavily publicized proceedings, with both wives making allegations of infidelity.  His third wife is slated to be Canadian divorcée Karen Gordon (38; née Villeneuve).  The couple announced their engagement on 15 February, 2011, and the wedding is to take place at Earl Spencer’s estate at Althorp on 18 June, 2011.

Until the "I do" is final, however, he is still a "single peer," and, particularly in Earl Spencer’s case, one can’t really blame us for profiling him.  Perhaps the 3rd-and-a-half time's a charm?  Earl Spencer’s engagement and subsequent split in the same year from prospective third wife Bianca, Lady Eliot, earned him the #6 ranking on The Single Peer's 2010 Ten Lords-a-Leaping list.

Earl Spencer has written a number of books related to his family’s history and estate.  He has been a TV news correspondent and has been involved in numerous charitable and humanitarian endeavors, an interest he has in common with Mrs. Gordon.  There is some speculation as to whether the couple will live at Althorp or in California, which would facilitate Mrs. Gordon’s work as founder and CEO of Whole Child International.  Earl Spencer lived in South Africa for many years with his first wife and their children, so this is not out of the question.

Earl Spencer has six children from his two previous marriages, including two sons, who will likely be in much demand when they come of age, given their breeding, wealth, and connections to the Royal Family.  Earl Spencer’s two sons are his heir apparent, The Right Hon. Louis Frederick John Spencer, Viscount Althorp (16; born 14 March, 1994), and The Hon. Edmund Charles Spencer (7; born 6 October, 2003).


Earl Spencer


Addresses:

Althorp Park, Great Brington, Northamptonshire NN7 4HG

Spencer House, St James's, London SW1 (leased out)


Sources:

12 February, 2011

Perennial Prince:
HRH Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales


Born in 1982 (21 June), this 28-year-old prince (pictured below) is the elder son of The Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, and the late Diana, Princess of Wales and a grandson of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.  Prince William is second in the line of succession to the throne of the United Kingdom and 15 other independent states.

The most eligible bachelor in the world, his ineligibility will at last be official with his marriage on 29 April, 2001 to long-standing girlfriend Catherine Elizabeth “Kate” Middleton, 29 (born 9 January, 1982).  The couple announced their engagement on 16 November, 2010 and set their wedding date shortly thereafter.  Prince William's launch into engaged status earned him the #1 ranking on The Single Peer's 2010 Ten Lords-a-Leaping list.

Following in his family’s footsteps, the young prince supports many charities and carries out official duties on behalf of the Royal Family, when not away for military service.  He enjoys polo and skiing, loves football, and participates in a number of outdoor activities.  Prince William is currently serving as a search and rescue helicopter pilot with the RAF.

His younger brother, HRH Prince Henry “Harry” Charles Albert David of Wales (26; born 15 September 1984) will shortly be the most eligible man in the land.




Addresses:

Clarence House
London SW1A 1BA
(+44) (0)20 7930 4832

Anglesey, Wales


Sources:

The British Monarchy - http://www.royal.gov.uk/