close
close

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

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

What is Fiona Shackleton’s background?

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

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

Her mother, for her part, is called Moira Salmon. According to The Guardian, his mother’s family founded the Lyons Corner House empire, making her TV chef Nigella Lawson Shackleton a 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 is also a Conservative Party member of the House of Lords.

She didn’t always want to do law

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

According to Hello!, Shackleton, now 68, initially wanted to study medicine but didn’t succeed. She then went to the University of Exeter, where she gained a third-class honors degree in law – a term used for a low pass mark which is known to have a negative impact on future employment opportunities . According to The Guardian, she tried her hand at being a cordon bleu chef after college, but ultimately decided to pursue a career in law. She was eventually hired by Farrer & Co, the royal family’s law firm.

She has many famous clients

Karen Gordon splits from husband Charles Spencer – brother of the late Princess Di. Photo: @karenspencer/Instagram
Shackleton’s name came under the spotlight following the announcement that she would represent Charles Spencer, brother of Princess Dianain his divorce from Karen Spencer.
But this isn’t the first royal split she’s been involved in. She also represented King Charles in his divorce from Princess Diana in 1996, and Prince Andrew in his divorce by Sarah Ferguson.
Prince William, then Prince Charles and Princess Diana at the time. Photo: AP
Shackleton’s high-profile cases have also extended beyond the royal family, with the lawyer also representing Claire Merry in her split from football star Thierry Henry, Liam Gallagher in his divorce from Nicole Appleton, and Madonna in her breakup with Ritchie.

She was also hired by Princess Haya as part of her custody battle with the Emir of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum. According to Spear’s, the princess’s divorce settlement was worth £554 million (about $704.7 million), the largest settlement in the United Kingdom at the time.

Paul McCartney with his lawyer Fiona Shackleton in connection with his divorce. Photo: AFP
Famously, Shackleton was once doused with water during court proceedings during McCartney’s divorce from Heather Mills. The latter said she was tired of the treatment she had received from Shackleton, took a jug of water and poured it over her head in court. And we thought such drama only happened on TV shows. as Judge Judy …

She’s a workaholic…with a soft side

Princess Haya Bint al-Hussein of Jordan (left) with Fiona Shackleton. Photo: AFP

The Standard reports that Shackleton is known to be a workaholic. While Princess Haya was his client, Shackleton was in hospital with an arm injury, but continued to work on the case.

But she also has a sweeter side, often baking brownies for her clients and other associates.

How much does it cost to hire Fiona Shackleton?

Fiona Shackleton (right) at a gala dinner at Kensington Palace in 2011 in London, England. Photo: Getty Images

Although his exact net worth is not known, it has been widely reported that obtaining Shackleton’s services would come with a hefty price tag. According to The Standard, her rate starts at £550 (around US$700) an hour.

Shackleton also pays particular attention to fashion. From her Louis Vuitton bags to Ferragamo shoes to Philip Treacy trilbies, the lawyer isn’t afraid to flaunt her luxury wardrobe.