Princess Diana's Brother Charles Spencer Opens Up About Childhood Sexual Abuse at Boarding School

Princess Diana s Brother Charles Spencer Reveals He Was Sexually Abused at School as a Child

Charles Spencer. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Princess Diana's brother Charles Spencer has opened up about being sexually abused during his childhood. In a preview for the Today show episode airing on Monday, March 11, Spencer, who is 59 years old, shared with Cynthia McFadden about his traumatic experience at one of England's top boarding schools.

He described feeling trapped, like a prisoner, at the mercy of cruel individuals. In his 40s, Spencer finally shared his experience of assault during a therapy session. The therapist encouraged him to share something he had never told anyone before, leading Spencer to reveal that he had been sexually abused by a woman as a child.

Spencer's former school, Maidwell Hall, has informed local authorities about potential crimes against children and is encouraging anyone with relevant experiences to come forward.

In an upcoming appearance on a morning show, Spencer will be discussing the release of his new memoir, "A Very Private School." He gave a sneak peek of the book on Instagram in February, sharing, "My deeply personal childhood memoir 'A Very Private School' will be published by @wmcollinsbooks in the UK on 14 March. After four-and-a-half years of writing, it's exciting to know that readers will soon have it in their hands."

Spencer has also been sharing family photos from his childhood on social media. Recently, he posted a picture on Friday, March 8, featuring his late sister Diana, who tragically passed away in August 1997 after a car accident in Paris.

Princess Diana s Brother Charles Spencer Reveals He Was Sexually Abused at School as a Child

In a family photo from 1966, Charles Spencer shared a moment from his childhood home, Park House in Sandringham. He mentioned that it might not be the most helpful photo as he is not sure, but it is special because it is one of the rare shots where his parents, sisters, and he are all together. His father was usually the one taking the pictures.

Diana and Spencer are two of five children from the late John Spencer, 8th Earl of Spencer, and Frances Shand Kydd. Their siblings include sisters Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes, as well as a brother, John Spencer, who sadly passed away shortly after birth in 1960.

In 1969, John was granted sole custody of their four children after his divorce from Kydd. John passed away in 1992 at the age of 68 due to a heart attack. Kydd battled cancer and Parkinson's disease before she passed away in 2004 at the age of 68.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

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