Cat Jarman is a Norwegian archaeologist, author and broadcaster, and the wife of Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer and brother of Princess Diana. She holds a PhD in archaeology from the University of Bristol, wrote the Viking history River Kings, and married the Earl on May 15, 2026, in Sedona, Arizona.
Cat Jarman: Quick Facts
| Full name | Catrine “Cat” Jarman (now Countess Spencer) |
| Born | 1982, Norway |
| Job | Archaeologist, author and broadcaster |
| Education | MPhil, University of Oslo (2012); PhD in archaeology, University of Bristol (2017) |
| Books | River Kings (2021), The Bone Chests (2023), The Rabbit Hole Book (2024) |
| Children | Two sons from a previous marriage |
| Married | May 15, 2026, Sedona, Arizona |
What Does Cat Jarman Do?
Cat is an archaeologist who specialises in the Viking Age. Her PhD at the University of Bristol focused on the Viking winter camp at Repton in Derbyshire. She is a recurring presenter on the BBC Two series Digging for Britain and co-hosts the history podcast The Rabbit Hole Detectives with Richard Coles and Charles Spencer.
Cat Jarman’s Books
Her first book, River Kings (2021), follows the Vikings’ journeys east along the rivers to the Silk Roads. She followed it with The Bone Chests (2023), about the mysterious mortuary chests in Winchester Cathedral, and co-wrote The Rabbit Hole Book (2024) with Richard Coles and Charles Spencer.
How Did Cat Jarman Meet Charles Spencer?
They started as colleagues. Charles was asked to review River Kings, the pair became friends, and they went on to work together on the podcast and on archaeological digs. In a joint statement, they said they felt “so incredibly lucky to have progressed from being colleagues, to friendship, to deep love and connection.”
Cat Jarman and Charles Spencer’s Wedding
The couple married in a private ceremony in the Arizona desert on Friday, May 15, 2026. It is Charles Spencer’s fourth marriage. He called it the “happiest day ever” on Instagram and wrote of his new wife: “The thing about Cat is, she’d want to be with you if you lived in a hut.”
Does Cat Jarman Have Children?
Yes. Cat has two sons from her previous marriage to Tom Jarman.
Our Take
Unlike most people who marry into famous families, Cat Jarman was already a recognised name in her field, with a PhD, several books and a regular BBC role. Their relationship grew out of a shared love of history, and a desert wedding far from Althorp suggests they’re happy to do things their own way.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Cat Jarman?
Cat Jarman is a Norwegian archaeologist and author of River Kings, and the wife of Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer.
When did Charles Spencer marry Cat Jarman?
They married on May 15, 2026, in a private ceremony in Sedona, Arizona.
What books has Cat Jarman written?
River Kings (2021), The Bone Chests (2023) and The Rabbit Hole Book (2024), co-written with Richard Coles and Charles Spencer.
How old is Cat Jarman?
She was born in 1982 and was 43 at the time of her wedding.
Sources
Sources and Editorial Notes
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Jaylin Khan
Jaylin Khan is an entertainment writer at elivestory.com who covers celebrity biographies, entertainment news, digital media and the latest pop culture trends. Drawing information from credible and trusted sources, she combines verified facts with thoughtful opinions to create engaging and informative articles for readers.
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