Earl of Devon and Baywatch Star AJ Langer Announce Separation After 18 Years
In a surprising revelation, the Earl of Devon, Charles Courtenay, and his wife, former Baywatch star AJ Langer, have decided to part ways after an 18-year-long union.
The couple tied the knot at his ancestral castle near Exeter, but ‘irreconcilable differences’ have led to the dissolution of their marriage.
A Look Back at the Relationship
The Earl of Devon, Charles Courtenay, aged 48, and American actress AJ Langer, aged 49, found love and commitment in one another more than a decade and a half ago.
Notably, AJ Langer was known for her role as Caroline Larkin in the iconic series Baywatch, and she also played parts in the 1990s teen drama hit “My So-Called Life” and “The Wonder Years.” Later in life, she starred in several Hollywood movies, including “Escape from LA,” alongside Kurt Russell.
The Unexpected Meeting
Their story began in a rather unexpected setting when Charles Courtenay, the British lawyer who would later become the Earl of Devon, met his future wife at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
At the time, AJ Langer had no inkling that this charismatic British gentleman, who happened to be wearing a kilt and was on tour with an English rugby union club, was the heir to a magnificent 4,000-acre estate in the West Country.
A Memorable Wedding
Their journey of love led them to a fairytale wedding at the 600-year-old Powderham Castle, located near Exeter.
From there, they embarked on the adventure of marriage and parenthood, bringing two children into the world.
In their divorce proceedings, Courtenay has requested joint custody of their children, Joscelyn, 16, and Jack, 14.
A Statement of Separation
A joint statement on behalf of the Earl and Countess of Devon expressed their decision to separate and ultimately divorce.
The statement conveyed gratitude for the partnership they had shared and the family they had built together, emphasizing the importance of their children’s wellbeing.
The Earl also acknowledged the supportive communities they had in both Devon and California and requested privacy during this challenging time.
The Road to Separation
Details of the divorce filing, which took place over a month ago on September 30, were initially reported by the Blast website.
The couple’s love story began at a Las Vegas party in 2002 when neither of them had any knowledge of each other’s noble or celebrity status.
Their marriage initially saw them residing in California to support Langer’s Hollywood acting career. However, they later made the transition to the UK, a move that Langer hinted had its challenges.
A Shift in Life Dynamics
AJ Langer’s life, filled with independence and personal choices since the age of 15, underwent a significant shift when she moved to the UK.
In an interview with the Celebrity Catch Up show, she reflected on the experience, saying, “I was a completely independent person from the age of 15… Then here I was in the middle of really intense and very, very deep-rooted patriarchy.
It has been really fascinating.”
This separation marks the end of an 18-year journey for the Earl of Devon and AJ Langer, each now embarking on a new chapter in their lives.