AceShowbiz - The 9th Earl Spencer, Charles Spencer, has engaged the services of Fiona Shackleton, a prominent lawyer in high-profile divorce cases, to represent him in his recent split from his wife, Karen Spencer. This news, first reported by The Times and reaffirmed across various outlets, brings an emotionally charged history back into the public eye: Shackleton previously represented the then-Prince Charles during his 1996 divorce from Princess Diana, Earl Spencer's sister.

Shackleton's reputation precedes her - referred to as the "steel magnolia" for her resoluteness and charm, and described by the Legal 500 as "a demon negotiator," she has represented numerous high-profile clients, including Prince Andrew, Sir Paul McCartney, and Princess Haya bint al-Hussein of Jordan. Her services come as a crucial element in handling the complex emotional dynamics and legal ramifications of high-stakes separations.

The announcement of the divorce was made public by Earl Spencer in an interview with The Mail on Sunday, where he expressed his sorrow, "It is immensely sad. I just want to devote myself to all my children and to my grandchildren, and I wish Karen every happiness in the future."

Charles, 60, and Karen, 52, were married on June 18, 2011, and share a 12-year-old daughter, Charlotte Diana, whose middle name honors her late aunt, Princess Diana. Their marriage, like their previous unions, has brought together children from their respective earlier relationships - Charles has seven children across his previous marriages while Karen has two daughters from her first marriage to Hollywood producer Mark Gordon.

Reports suggest that the structure of Earl Spencer's memoir, "A Very Private School," played a significant role in the timing of the divorce. The memoir sheds light on Spencer's traumatic experiences including sexual abuse at boarding school and his subsequent journey through intensive therapy.

He spoke to PEOPLE about the profound emotional challenges he faced during the writing process and how Karen supported him, hoping he would emerge happier and healthier. The memoir reveals personal struggles that undoubtedly placed additional strain on their relationship.

Additionally, the Earl is noted to have developed a close professional relationship with Dr. Cat Jarman, a Norwegian archaeologist and his co-host on the history podcast "The Rabbit Hole Detectives." Speculation about their closeness has inevitably added another layer of complexity to the already sensitive situation.

Caught amid this personal upheaval, Karen has also faced the recent loss of her father to Alzheimer's disease, marking a particularly challenging period for her.

As the Spencer family navigates through these difficult times, the engagement of Fiona Shackleton underscores the gravity and intricacies of their current legal battle, reminding many of the legal dramas of the past that similarly captivated public attention.