Duke of Marlborough Files for Divorce After 23 Years of Marriage

Jamie Blandford, the 12th Duke of Marlborough, has officially filed for divorce from his second wife, Edla Griffith, bringing an end to their 23-year-long marriage. The couple, who had reportedly been living apart since May 2024, share two teenage children: Lady Araminta, 18, and Lord Caspar, 16.

The divorce filing marks the final chapter of a long and often public relationship. Reports have suggested the pair experienced challenges throughout their marriage, including a brief separation just two years after their 2002 wedding. At the time, Edla left their home following the Duke’s extended absence while traveling abroad. Despite the setback, the couple reconciled and continued their relationship for nearly two more decades.

Once known for a rebellious streak and a string of traffic offenses, the Duke has significantly turned his life around in recent years. Many credit Edla for helping to guide him through a period of personal change, especially during his earlier struggles. At one point, she reportedly issued a firm ultimatum that helped him shift course and embrace a more stable lifestyle.

The Duke’s transformation coincided with his inheritance of the family fortune, which includes a reported £183 million estate and the famed Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire—the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. The estate, spanning over 11,000 acres, remains one of Britain’s most iconic properties.

Since the couple’s separation last year, the Duke is said to be in a relationship with Doune Murray, marking a new chapter in his personal life.

This is Blandford’s second divorce. He was previously married to Rebecca Few Brown, with whom he shares one son, George Spencer-Churchill, the Marquess of Blandford. That marriage ended in 1998.

While the end of his marriage to Edla Griffith has drawn public attention, those close to the family note that the Duke has remained out of controversy in recent years and is focused on maintaining family ties and his responsibilities as the head of the Marlborough estate.