Now Earl hopes to heal 'rift' with his children

DIANA'S BROTHER ON FAMILY MISSION

- Nathan Kay

EARL Spencer is looking to rebuild his relationship with his children after a rift that has lasted decades.

He has seven children but has grown apart from the four eldest - whom he shares with first wife Victoria Lockwood in recent years.

Rumours of a rift due to tensions over his third marriage, to Countess Karen Spencer, are being blamed for the distance between the Earl and his children. The Sunday Express can now reveal that this includes his eldest daughter Lady Kitty Spencer, with whom Charles Spencer, 60, once shared a very close bond.

The source says now Charles has initiated divorce proceedings against Canadian philanthropist Karen, he can start to rebuild the shattered relationship with his children.

"Charles and Kitty used to be very close so it's extremely sad," said the source.

"Kitty stayed at Charles's flat when she was studying at Regent's University in the city, and she regularly flew back and forth between South Africa and London to see him. But they haven't seen each other much in recent years. Unfortunately that was down to Karen. Kitty and the rest of the children weren't really fans."