Earl Spencer has left a personal comment to his “inspirational” girlfriend, Dr Cat Jarman, after she shared an emotional update about her battle with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Dr Jarman, 43, has been in a relationship with Princess Diana’s younger brother, 61, since last year.
She explained that for the past nine years, she believed she might never regain full use of her right arm and worried her body would “fail” her.
However, in an update on Instagram, the 43-year-old said recent breakthroughs in treatment and “excellent care” from the NHS have supported her progress far beyond expectations.
The Earl left a personal comment to his ‘inspirational’ girlfriend.
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INSTAGRAM / CAT JARMAN
It has gone so far that Dr Jarman has been able to take up archery on horseback.
Charles Spencer praised her courage and resilience, writing on Instagram: “Cat, you’re an inspiration to so many. I love your Viking spirit.”
Dr Jarman secretly lived with MS for six years before her diagnosis was forced into the public domain during a dispute with the Earl’s estranged wife, Countess Karen Spencer, 53.
The 43-year-old has accused the countess of sharing confidential medical information, which triggered an ongoing High Court privacy battle.
Dr Jarman has been able to take up archery on horseback
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INSTAGRAM / CAT JARMAN
The estimated legal costs from the dispute are north of £2million.
Dr Jarman said that the past year has taken a significant toll emotionally.
She said in her post: “Having been forced to reveal my previously secret disability because someone callously and maliciously chose to share it without my knowledge and tell lies about it has been horrendous beyond belief.
“I’d give anything to be able to go back to that 2016 version of me, terrified that it was the end of my life as I knew it, to tell her this is where I’d be in 2025: I thought I’d never be able to use my right arm again, and believed, like I was told, that I’d have less than a decade before my body would fail me.”
Dr Jarman talked about the impact the last year has had on her.
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INSTAGRAM / CAT JARMAN
Dr Jarman continued: “Because of the excellent care I got from the NHS and amazing advancements in treatment options, I’m now fitter than I’ve ever been, and there’s no reason to think I’ll ever deteriorate.”
Her update comes as the legal battle with Countess Spencer continues.
Dr Jarman alleged that she was forced to reveal her MS diagnosis in a high-profile interview to end gossip online.
The 43-year-old has previously said that she “worked very hard” to keep her MS diagnosis hidden, including from The Earl at the start of their relationship.
Countess Spencer’s legal battle with Dr Cat Jarman is ongoing.
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When the case was lodged with the High Court in 2024, the details of her health condition remained confidential.
However, Dr Jarman later decided to reveal the health condition in an interview with the Mail and stated in court documents that she was concerned about “loss of autonomy and control” over her own medical information.
Karen Spencer stated that Dr Jarman’s decision to do a public interview on the diagnosis was “hopelessly inconsistent” with her legal case.
The defence stated: “Deliberately disclosing the fact that she has MS to the world in a manner calculated to give it maximum publicity is not only entirely inconsistent with any claim to privacy, but it also nullifies the ostensible purpose of these proceedings.”
Karen Spencer has robustly defended herself against Dr Jarman’s allegations.