Charles Villiers: Camilla's distant cousin kills himself after 8-year divorce battle
MARYLEBONE, LONDON: Charles Villiers, a distant cousin to the Duchess of Cornwall, took his own life last week after an 8-year-long divorce battle with ex-wife Emma Villiers. The case was one of the longest known divorce battles in Britain's history. The couple had separated in 2012 but hit headlines in 2014 after they filed for divorce. A dispute arose between the two on whether their divorce should be settled in English or Scottish courts.
The court battle lasted eight years, spread across five courts and 20 judges. At one point, a police investigation was conducted as well due to allegations of bigamy against Emma Villiers. The claims were later dismissed by detectives involved in the investigation.
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According to The Times, Villiers had been declared bankrupt and had been living on sofas after facing financial setbacks. He had been staying on a friend's yacht in the Greek islands earlier in August. Due to serious concerns regarding his mental health, the said friend had arranged for Villiers to fly back to the UK and get himself to a clinic to receive help.
Villiers, however, did not follow through with that plan. The 59-year-old was found dead by a housekeeper in a room at the Durrants Hotel in Marylebone, London, on Thursday, August 18.
After filing for divorce, Villiers had argued that since the two spent their marriage living in Scotland, they should therefore settle all their financial disputes in the Scottish court. In Scotland, inherited wealth is not eligible for sharing in divorce settlements. Maintenance payouts are also limited to three years after finalization of the divorce.
Emma Villiers, however, moved to England after their divorce, where laws allow for financial support for the rest of the claimant's lives. She argued that the settlements be made in the court of England. The Supreme Court eventually ruled in her favor, and she asked for a $3.5 million settlement from her ex-husband.
In 2021, the High Court ruled that Charles Villiers was heavily in debt and was no longer required to pay maintenance. However, shortly afterwards, his ex-wife persuaded the High Court to overturn the ruling.
Justice Mostyn of the High Court stated that both Mr and Mrs Villiers had made accusations against each after their feelings for each other had changed. The court ordered that Charles should pay Emma Villiers $10,000 annually for maintenance and adjourned the case to see if the former had benefitted from his father's estate.
Charles Villiers owned racehorses and worked mostly in the printing sector. He also co-owned a number of regional newspapers at one point. He was declared bankrupt after his marriage fell apart. His assets were taken, and even though he won bankruptcy clearance the next year, the family mansion was taken once more in 2015.