Eleanor StoneEarl Spencer, Princess Diana's brother, married for the fourth time on 15 May 2026, exchanging vows with Norwegian archaeologist Cat Jarman in a private ceremony in Sedona, Arizona. The wedding made headlines across the UK — not just for the romance, but because it raised a question millions of Britons face when remarrying: what legal protections should you have in place before you say "I do" again?
The Legal Reality of Remarriage in England and Wales
Remarriage in England and Wales carries legal consequences that many couples underestimate. When you marry for the second, third, or fourth time, you bring with you a more complex financial picture: assets accumulated during previous marriages, potential ongoing obligations to former spouses, and often children from earlier relationships whose inheritance interests may be affected.
According to the Office for National Statistics, divorce rates among those aged 45 and over have risen steadily over the past decade, meaning remarriage later in life is increasingly common. Yet specialist legal advice before a second or subsequent marriage remains far less common than it should be.
1. Prenuptial Agreements: Not Automatic — But Increasingly Persuasive
England and Wales do not legally require prenuptial agreements, and they are not automatically binding. However, since the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Radmacher v Granatino (2010), English courts give significant weight to prenups provided they were entered into freely, with full financial disclosure, and are broadly fair.
For someone on a fourth marriage — particularly one involving a title, landed estate, or substantial assets — a prenuptial agreement is not a cynical gesture but a practical safeguard. It can specify which assets remain separate property, how income generated during the marriage is treated, and what provision is made for children from previous relationships.
If you are entering a second or subsequent marriage, a solicitor specialising in family law should help you draft and sign the agreement at least 28 days before the wedding — giving both parties time to take independent legal advice. A prenup signed the week of the ceremony is unlikely to carry the same weight in court.
For celebrity and high-net-worth couples, understanding what a prenuptial agreement should include — and what it cannot protect — is essential before remarrying. You can learn more in our guide on what UK couples need to know about prenuptial agreements before marriage.
2. Protecting Assets and Children's Inheritance
When you remarry, your existing will is automatically revoked under English law — unless it was specifically written in contemplation of the new marriage. This means that without a new will, your estate could be distributed under the intestacy rules, potentially leaving children from a previous relationship without the provision you intended.
For someone like Earl Spencer, who has multiple children from previous marriages, updating a will before or immediately after the new marriage is essential. A family lawyer can advise on how to structure trusts — such as a discretionary trust or life interest trust — to ensure a new spouse is provided for while protecting the inheritance of children from earlier relationships.
Beyond wills, consider reviewing any pension nomination forms, life insurance beneficiary designations, and joint ownership arrangements on property. These do not automatically update when you remarry, yet they often override the terms of a will.
As our report on what the Princess Beatrice and Edoardo property case reveals about asset rights in UK marriages showed, even couples who believe their finances are clearly separated can face complex legal disputes when a relationship ends.
3. Recognising a Foreign Marriage in the UK
Earl Spencer and Cat Jarman married in Arizona. For a marriage conducted abroad to be legally recognised in England and Wales, it must be valid under the law of the country where it took place and must not conflict with English public policy.
According to the UK government's guidance on getting married abroad, couples may need a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) to prove they are free to marry. In some countries this is a legal requirement; in the United States, requirements vary by state.
Once a foreign marriage is recognised under English law, it carries the same legal consequences as a marriage conducted in England. This includes inheritance rights, the right to apply for financial orders on divorce, and joint liability for certain debts. Couples who marry abroad without taking prior legal advice sometimes discover these consequences only when problems arise later.
What to Do Before You Remarry
Whether this is your second marriage or your fourth, the legal to-do list before the wedding should include:
- Consult a family solicitor at least three months before the ceremony to discuss prenuptial agreements, asset protection, and any ongoing financial obligations from previous relationships
- Update your will as soon as the marriage takes place, or draft a new will explicitly in contemplation of the marriage before the ceremony
- Review beneficiary designations on pensions and life insurance policies
- Check overseas marriage requirements if you plan to marry abroad, and confirm the marriage will be recognised under English law
Getting these steps right before the ceremony is far less costly — financially and emotionally — than resolving disputes afterwards. A specialist family law solicitor can guide you through the process, whether your situation is straightforward or involves the complexity of multiple previous marriages and blended families.
Legal disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. If you are planning to remarry, seek independent legal advice from a qualified solicitor.
