Meet Fiona Shackleton, Charles Spencer’s lawyer in his divorce case: she’s also worked for Madonna, Paul McCartney, and King Charles against Diana – but who reportedly poured water on her in court?

Jun 21, 2024

Who is Fiona Shackleton, Charles Spencer’s lawyer in his divorce case? Photo: Getty Images

Fiona Shackleton also represented Oasis’ Liam Gallagher, and Princess Haya of Jordan in her custody battle against Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum – and she’s related to Nigella Lawson

She’s been photographed in Louis Vuitton and Ferragamo, and is said to work even when in hospital; Queen Elizabeth made her Baroness Shackleton of Belgravia in 2010

Fiona Shackleton has many nicknames: “Steel Magnolia”, the doyenne of family law, and “the only celebrity lawyer” in the UK. And if you haven’t heard of her, you’ve certainly seen her with her clients for whom she sometimes bakes brownies, from the royals to Paul McCartney.

Fiona Shackleton has been called “the only celebrity lawyer” in the UK by the British press. Photo: Getty Images

While she’s currently making headlines for being confirmed as the legal counsel for Charles Spencer, brother to Princess Diana, in his recently announced divorce, Shackleton is certainly no stranger to controversy and high-profile cases. From King Charles and Princess Diana to Madonna and Guy Ritchie, here is what you need to know about Shackleton.

What is Fiona Shackleton’s background?

Fiona Shackleton (right) was at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018. Photo: Getty Images

According to Hello! magazine, Shackleton boasts a privileged background: her father Jonathan Charkham is a former adviser to the Bank of England and also sheriff of the City of London.

Her mother, meanwhile, is Moira Salmon. Per The Guardian, her mother’s family founded the Lyons Corner House empire, making her TV chef Nigella Lawson Shackleton’s cousin.

She is married to Ian Shackleton, a descendant of the legendary Antarctic explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton. Queen Elizabeth made her Baroness Shackleton of Belgravia in 2010, and she’s also a Conservative Party member in the House of Lords.

She didn’t always want to go into law

Oasis’ Liam Gallagher and Fiona Shackleton in 2015. Photo: Getty Images

According to Hello!, Shackleton, now 68, initially wanted to study medicine but didn’t make the cut. She then went to Exeter University, graduating with a third class honours law degree – a term used for a low-pass grade that is known to negatively impact future job opportunities. According to The Guardian, she tried her hand at being a cordon bleu chef after university, but ultimately decided to follow a career in law. She was eventually hired by Farrer & Co, the law firm for the royal family.

She has many celebrity clients

Karen Gordon is splitting from husband Charles Spencer – brother to the late Princess Di. Photo: @karenspencer/Instagram

Shackleton’s name has been in the spotlight following the news that she would be representing Charles Spencer, brother to Princess Diana, in his divorce from Karen Spencer.

But it’s not the first royal split she has been involved in. She also represented now King Charles in his divorce from Princess Diana back in 1996, and Prince Andrew in his divorce from Sarah Ferguson.