AN aristocrat who lived near Dumbarton has begun divorce proceedings in a London court after he failed to have the divorce battle heard in Scotland.

Charles Villiers, 57, said he and his estranged wife should fight over money in a Scottish court instead of an English one.

Mr Villiers, who is related to Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, had filed for divorce from his wife Emma in Scotland back in 2014.

The couple lived in an 18th century Georgian mansion in Milton, near Dumbarton, during their 18-year marriage.

Mr Villiers said because divorce proceedings were taking place in Scotland, any fight over money should also be staged in Scotland.

His estranged wife, who now lives in London, disagreed.

Supreme Court justices ruled against Mr Villiers in July, after analysing the dispute over jurisdiction at a Supreme Court hearing in London.

And now divorce proceedings have started in London.

Mr Justice Mostyn began overseeing a private, virtual hearing on Monday March 1.

He said the hearing, which is expected to end later this week, could be reported.

But he said detail of arguments over finances and assets could not be revealed.