India, May 19 -- Charles Spencer, the brother of Princess Diana, wed archaeologist and podcast co-host Cat Jarman in a private ceremony held in Arizona on May 15.

"We both feel so incredibly lucky to have progressed from being colleagues, to friendship, to deep love and connection," the couple stated in a joint statement to PEOPLE. "Each stage of our relationship has been underpinned by laughter and we share a passion for life."

The couple initially met when Charles - an author of nine books - was invited to critique Jarman's 2021 nonfiction bestseller River Kings, which focuses on her area of expertise regarding the Vikings.

From that point, their relationship developed, leading them to work together on archaeological excavations and ...