Bishop/Casey engagement

 The engagement was announced 13 December, 2025, between Christopher Bishop, son of the late Mr Robert Bishop and of Mrs Robert Bishop, of Redwood City, California, USA, and Emma Olivia Casey (born 13 April, 1988), second daughter of Christopher Casey, of Sopworth, Wiltshire, and his former wife the former Lady Arabella Pelham (born 20 January, 1960), scion of the Earls of Yarborough, now Lady Arabella Moger, of Hazelbury Bryan, Dorset, wife of Jeremy Moger since 2004, and daughter of the late 7th Earl of Yarborough (1920-1991).

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Joanna Trollope, CBE 1943-2025

 Joanna Trollope, CBE, the bestselling author, died at her home in Oxfordshire, 11 December, 2025. She was 82.

She was best known for her novels set in rural middle England and focused on domestic life and relationships, including The Rector’s Wife, Marrying The Mistress, Other People’s Children and Second Honeymoon. Her literary agent James Gill said: “It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of Joanna Trollope, one of our most cherished, acclaimed and widely enjoyed novelists. “Joanna will be mourned by her children, grandchildren, family, her countless friends and – of course – her readers.” Her writing was once dubbed Aga Sagas, a term which the author strongly disliked and described as “patronising”.

Joanna Trollope was born 9 December, 1943, a scion of the Trollope baronets, daughter of Arthur George Cecil Trollope (1914-2003), and his wife the former Rosemary Hodson (1919-2014).

She married 1stly, 17 May, 1966 (div. 1983), as the first of his three wives, David Roger William Potter (born 1944, died 20 August, 2025, aged 81), son of William Edward Potter (1917-1997), by his wife the former Joan Louise Frost (1919-2008), by whom she had issue, two daughters, Louise (born 1969), and Antonia (born 1971. Trollope married 2ndly, 1985 (div. 2001), as his second wife, Ian Bayley Curteis (1935-2021), the dramatist and television director. 

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Jeanetta Caroline Rowan-Hamilton 1950-2025

Killyleagh Castle.

Jeanetta Caroline Rowan Hamilton, died 3 December, 2025, aged 75. 

She was born 26 January, 1950, the eldest daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Angus David Rowan Hamilton (1919-78), late The Black Watch, scion of that Irish landed gentry family, of Killyleagh Castle, of Bowes Lyon descent, and his wife the former Jeanette Rees Lockett (1924-2020) daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Vivian Noverre Lockett (1881-1962), scion of that landed gentry family, of Framingham Pigott, Norwich, by his wife the former Violet Rees Colman (1890-1986), scion of the Colman's mustard landed gentry family.

She married 1stly, 1980 (div), David William Strecker (born Bournemouth, 11 Nov 1944, died Fulham, July 1998), son of Hugo George Albert William Strecker (1912-2013), and his wife the former Joan Alder; and married 2ndly, 18 June, 1996, Aldersey E. Maynard-Taylor (born 1948), son of Aldersey Maynard-Taylor (1909-1986), of Mallord Street, London SW3, and his wife the former Dorothy Wells.

She leaves issue from her first marriage, a daughter, Caroline Strecker (born 1982), and a son, James William Strecker (born 1984).

Jeanetta Rowan Hamilton was a third cousin of His Majesty King Charles III.

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Katharine Elizabeth Spencer-Nairn 1964-2025

 Katharine Elizabeth Spencer-Nairn, who died at Kirkaldy, 1 December, 2025, aged 61, was a scion of the baronets of that name. 

She was born 10 May, 1964, the only daughter of Sir Robert Arnold Spencer-Nairn, 3rd Baronet (1933-2025), and his wife the former Joanna Elizabeth Salt (1937-2024). She was unmarried.

She was predeceased by her father, 13 February, 2025.

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New life peers announced

 The King has been graciously pleased to signify His intention of conferring Peerages of the United Kingdom for Life upon the undermentioned:

From:

Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street

Published

10 December 2025

Nominations from the Leader of the Labour Party:

1. Andy (Andrew) Roe KSFM - Chair of the national Building Safety Regulator and former London Fire Commissioner

2. Dame Ann Limb DBE DL - Former Further Education College Principal and former Chair, The Scouts. Pro Chancellor, University of Surrey, and Chair of City & Guilds Foundation, Lloyds Bank Foundation, and The King’s Foundation

3. Brenda Dacres OBE - Mayor of Lewisham

4. Carol Linforth OBE – Lately Labour Party Chief of Staff - Operations

5. Catherine MacLeod - Former journalist and political adviser, Visiting Professor at King’s College London and Non-Executive Director at the Scotland Office

6. David Isaac CBE - Provost of Worcester College, Oxford, Chair of the University of the Arts London, Chair of the Henry Moore Foundation, and a trustee of Cumberland Lodge

7. David Pitt-Watson - Responsible Investment Expert. Co-founder and former CEO of the Equity Ownership Service and Focus Funds at Federated Hermes

8. Farmida Bi CBE - Chair of Norton Rose Fulbright LLP, Vice-Chair of the Disasters Emergency Committee

9. Professor Geeta Nargund - Founder and former Medical Director of Create Fertility. Founder and Trustee of Health Equality Foundation

10. Katie Martin – Lately, Chief of Staff to the Chancellor of the Exchequer

11. Joe Docherty - Chair of Northern Powergrid Foundation and Trustee, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, former Chair of Council, Durham University

12. Len (Leonard) Duvall OBE - Chair of the London Assembly and Leader of the London Assembly Labour Group

13. Matthew Doyle - Former Director of Communications to the Prime Minister and for the Labour Party

14. Sir Michael Barber - Chancellor, University of Exeter and adviser to the Prime Minister on effective delivery

15. Neena Gill CBE - Former Member of the European Parliament for the West Midlands

16. Nick (Nicholas) Forbes CBE - Chair, Breaking Down Barriers Commission and former Labour Leader, Newcastle City Council

17. Peter Babudu - Executive Director of Impact on Urban Health, former councillor in Southwark

18. Peter John OBE - Former Southwark Leader and former Chair of London Councils.

19. Richard Walker OBE - Founder and Chairman, Bywater and Executive Chairman, Iceland Foods

20. Russell Hobby CBE - CEO, The Kemnal Academies Trust, former CEO, Teach First and former General Secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers

21. Cllr. Dr Sara Hyde - Fabian Society Chair and Islington council’s Executive Member for Health and Social Care

22. Cllr. Shama Tatler - Brent Councillor and Vice-Chair of the London Labour Regional Executive, Patron of the Labour Housing Group and Head of the Labour Group Office at the Local Government Association

23. Dr Sophy Antrobus MBE - Senior Research Fellow and Co-Director of the Freeman Air and Space Institute at King’s College London

24. Tracey Paul - Chief Communications Officer at Pool Reinsurance and former policy advisor

25. Uday Nagaraju - Technology Consultant, Politician and Founder of AI Policy Labs

Nominations from the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party:

1. Mike Dixon – Chief Executive of the Liberal Democrats. Former charity leader and Government policy adviser

2. Dominic Hubbard (Lord Addington) – Liberal Democrat spokesperson for disabilities in the House of Lords and Honorary President of the British Dyslexia Association

3. Rhiannon Leaman – Chief of Staff to the Leader of the Liberal Democrats

4. John Russell (Earl Russell) – Liberal Democrat spokesperson for energy and climate change in the House of Lords

5. Sarah Teather – Charity leader, former MP for Brent East and Brent Central and former Minister of State at the Department for Education

Nominations from the Leader of the Conservatives:

1. Sharron Davies MBE – Campaigner for Women’s Rights & Olympic Swimming Silver Medallist for Great Britain 

2. Simon Heffer - Professor of Modern British History at the University of Buckingham and a historian, journalist, author and political commentator

3. The Rt Hon Sir John Redwood - Former Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament for Wokingham

Nominations for Crossbench Peerages:

1. Charles Kinnoull (The Earl of Kinnoull) DL - Convenor of the Crossbench Peers, Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords, former Chair of the House of Lords European Union Committee

Ellie Rose Sancroft Baker (born 2025)

  Lisa Marie Sancroft Baker (nee Dyer), wife of Nicholas Sancroft Baker (born 11 June, 1981), gave birth to a daughter, Ellie Rose, 26 September, 2025, a sister for Freya Ruby, who was born 2 February, 2022.

The infant is descended from the Barons Plunket:-

The 3rd Baron Plunket (1793-1871) > Hon Arthur Cecil Crampton Plunket (1845-84) > Archibald John Lifford Plunket (1877-1940) > Norah Mary Lifford Plunket (1912-1998) > Terence Sancroft Baker (b 1941) > Nicholas Sancroft Baker (b 1981) > Ellie Sancroft Baker (b 2025).

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James Randolf Gibson Fleming, MBE 1958-2025

Ranston House

James Randolf Gibson Fleming, MBE, a Dorset landowner and entrepreneur, died  11 October, 2025, aged 67.

He was seated at the Ranston estate between Shaftesbury and Blandford Forum, which he inherited at the age of 22, and he devoted the rest of his life to its stewardship. He was appointed MBE in 2025.

He was born 27 July, 1958, the son of William Harry Gibson Fleming (1918-1981), and his wife the former Selina Littlehales Baker (1925-2010), scion of the extinct Baker baronets, of Ranston, Dorset (cr 1892), daughter of Sir Richard Littlehales Baker, 4th Baronet (1879-1959), and his wife the former Elsie Burrell (who died 1 February, 1955).

James Gibson Fleming married in Norfolk, in 1986, Fiona L. Don (born 1962), daughter of Robert Seymour (Robin) Don (1932-2018), of North Elmham, Norfolk, by his wife the former Judith Holmes, by whom he had issue, Hector, William and Olivia.

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Faith Maureen Haldane Elliot (nee Robertson) 1924-2025

 Faith Elliot, who died at Edinburgh, 23 October, 2025, aged 91, was a scion of the Robertson of Struan landed gentry family.

Faith Maureen Haldane Robertson was born 16 September, 1934, the second daughter of Langton George Duncan Haldane Robertson of Struan (27th Chief) (1898-1983), 22nd or 23rd Chief of Drumachuine, and of Donnachaidh, by his wife the former Laure Constance Lindo. 

She married in 1976, Robert Chesters Elliot (who died in 2013, aged 72). No issue of the marriage. Her brother Gilbert (born 21 Sept, 1938), is the current Chief.

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Dr Iain Douglas-Hamilton, CBE 1942-2025

 Dr Iain Douglas-Hamilton, CBE, who died 8 December, 2025, aged 83, was a scion of the Dukes of Hamilton & Brandon.

Douglas-Hamilton was a pioneering zoologist, an elephant expert, who spent nearly 60 years studying Africa’s elephants, beginning in Tanzania’s Lake Manyara National Park with the first scientific study of elephant behaviour in the wild. A leading voice against the ivory trade, he helped drive the 1989 global ban after witnessing devastating population declines in the 1970s and 1980s. He was appointed OBE in 1992, and advanced to CBE in 2015.

He was born 16 August, 1942, the second son of Squadron Leader Lord David Douglas-Hamilton (1912-1944), by his first wife the former Ann Prunella Stack, OBE (who died 30 Dec, 2010), and was a grandson of the 13th Duke of Hamilton & 10th Duke of Brandon (1862-1940).

He married in 1971, Oria Rocco, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Mario Rocco, by who he had issue, two daughters, Saba Iassa (born 1970), and Dudu Mara (born 1971)

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Neale/Pleydell-Bouverie engagement

The engagement was announced 9 December, 2025, between Charles Urquhart Rupert Neale (born 16 September, 1990), son of Alastair Rupert Neale and Mrs Bernadette Marie Therese de Chabot-Neale (daughter of Vicomte Charles De Chabot), of Sèvremont, France, & Lara Caroline Pleydell-Bouverie (born 1993), scion of the Earls of Radnor, elder twin daughter of the Hon Peter John Pleydell-Bouverie (born 14 January, 1958), of Downton, Wiltshire, and his wife the former Hon Jane Victoria Gilmour (born 22 March, 1959), daughter of the late Baron Gilmour of Craigmillar, PC (1926-2007), and his wife the former Lady Caroline Margaret Montagu Douglas Scott (1927-2004), daughter of the 8th Duke of Buccleuch & Queensberry, KT, DL (1894-1973).

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Hon Felicity Betty Douglas-Home (nee Jonsson) 1929-2025

 The Hon Felicity Betty Douglas-Home, who died 3 December, 2025, aged 96, was the third wife, and widow of Major the Hon Henry Montagu Douglas-Home, MBE (1907-1980).

She was born 24 July 1929, the former Felicity Betty Jonsson, daughter of Major Aubrey Thomas Jonsson (1877-1941), of Natal, South Africa, by his wife the former Elizabeth Noel Crofts, and married firstly, 28 July, 1948 (div. 1962), the Hon Victor Patrick Hamilton Wills (1926-2011), third son of the 1st Baron Dulverton, OBE (1880-1956), and his wife the former Victoria Mary Chichester (1887-1968), scion of the Chichester baronets; she married 2ndly, 16 February, 1966, as his third wife, Maj the Hon Henry Douglas-Home (born 21 Nov 1907), second son of the 13th Earl of Home, KT (1873-1951), and his wife the former Lady Lilian Lambton (1881-1966), daughter of the 4th Earl of Durham (1855-1929).

Her second husband's first wife was Lady Margaret Alexandra Elizabeth Spencer (1906-1996), a great-aunt of Diana Princess of Wales. Henry Douglas-Home was brother of the Prime Minister Sir Alec Douglas-Home (aka the 14th Earl of Home (disclaimed), later Baron Home of the Hirsel, KT, PC) .

Her 2nd husband died 19 July, 1980.

She leaves issue by both marriages, a son  and a daughter from her first marriage, Christopher Wills (born 21 Feb 1953), and Penelope Wills (born 14 Jan, 1950),  and a son from her second marriage, Peregrine Douglas-Home (born 28 July, 1967). She was predeceased by a son from her first marriage, Jeremy Wills (1955-2015).

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Sir John Christopher Calthorpe Blofeld, DL 1932-2025

 Sir John Blofeld, who died 30 November, 2025, aged 93, was a former judge of the High Court and was head of that landed gentry family, of Hoveton House.

He was born 11 July, 1932, son of Thomas Robert Calthorpe Blofeld (1903-1986), author, and his wife the former Grizel Blanche Turner (1903-1992), and was the elder brother of Henry Blofeld (born 1939), the sports journalist and cricket commentator. His father was at Eton with Ian Fleming and his name is believed to have been the inspiration for the name of James Bond supervillain, Ernst Stavro Blofeld.

John Christopher Calthorpe Blofeld was a Judge of the High Court of Justice Queen's Bench Division 1990-2001. He was knighted in 1991. He was appointed a Master of the Mercers' Co in 2003.

The Blofeld pile, Hoveton House, near Wroxham, is a splendid William and Mary house, with its park originally laid out by Humphry Repton, & has been in the Blofeld family for over 300 years.

John Blofeld married in 1961, Judith Anne Howie Mitchell (who died 26 June, 2013).

Sir John is survived by three children, two sons, Thomas (born 1964), Piers (born 1968), and a daughter, Charlotte (born 1962).

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Major Michael Dermot White 1936-2025

 Major Michael Dermot White, late the Queen's Royal Irish Hussars, has died aged 89.

He was born in 1936, son of Lieutenant-Colonel Michael White, of Slaveen, Macroom, Co Cork, and married 4 November, 1961, Elizabeth Susan Brazier-Creagh (born 29 August, 1940), scion of that Irish landed gentry family, elder daughter of Major-General Sir (Kilner) Rupert Brazier-Creagh, KBE, CB, DSO (1909-2002), by his first wife the former Elizabeth Mary Magor (1913-1967), by whom he had issue, three daughters, Katherine (born 7 Apr, 1963), Victoria (born 13 Aug, 1965), and Annette (born 4 Aug, 1966).

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Francesca Fern Phythian-Adams (born 2025)

 Eve Phythian-Adams [nee Tandoi], wife of Henry William [Harry] Phythian-Adams, scion of that landed gentry family, gave birth to a daughter, Francesca Fern, 12 October, 2025, a sister for Giacomo Arthur Tandoi, who was born 27 September, 2018, and for Giulia Evelyn Tandoi, who was born 4 October, 2020.

Harry is a son of Mark Vevers Phythian-Adams [born 24 February, 1944], by his wife the former [Elizabeth] Anne Colchester [born 1946].

Harry's grandfather, the Rev William John Telia Phythian-Adams, DSO, MC [1888-1967], was Chaplain to King George V 1933-36, Chaplain to King Edward VIII, 1936, to King George VI 1936-52, and to Queen Elizabeth II from 1952.

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Litteton/Hardiman engagement

 The engagement was announced 6 December, 2025, between (Thomas) Alastair Westby Littleton (born 4 April, 1986), scion of the Barons Hatherton, son of Antony Robin Walhouse Westby Littleton (born 19 June, 1950), and his wife the Hon Aileen Mary Fitzherbert (born 29 May, 1953), scion of the Barons Stafford, and Georgina Eve Hardiman (born 1988), daughter of Paul D. Hardiman, and his wife the former Jayne Scully.

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Monteith/Hudson engagement

The engagement was announced 6 December, 2025, between Maximilian John Water (Max) Monteith (born 17 June, 1994), son of Desmond Michael Monteith (born 1957), of Oxhill, Warwickshire, and his wife the former Emma Jenefer Seyfried (born 1964), & Alicia Jane L. Hudson (born 1995), daughter of Benedict J. Hudson, of York, by his wife the former Tarnia Pattinson-Jones.

Max Moneith is descended maternally from the Holbech landed gentry family. His grandfather, John Beeton Seyfried (who died 28 March, 2008), married Anne Daphne Holbech (born 1939).

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George Nicholas Twine 1941-2025

George Nicholas Twine who died 16 November, 2025, aged 84, was descended from the Earls of Onslow.

He was born 13 May, 1941, 1st son of George Edward Twine (1909-1993), and his wife the former Barbara Opal Onslow Perkins (1915-1983), and twice, firstly 24 June, 1967, Maureen Anne Giggs, daughter of Charles Giggs of Hayling Island, Hampshire, and married 2ndly, 1998, Gillian Williams. From his first marriage he leaves a son, and three daughters.

His grandfather Sidney Perkins married 31 Aug, 1914, Minnie Margaret Matilda Mainwaring-Ellerker-Onslow (who died 19 March, 1978).

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Jane Theodora Cox (nee Vyvyan-Robinson) 1930-2025

Jane Theodora Cox, who died 27 November, 2025, aged 95, was a scion of the Vyvyan baronets.

She was born 1 January, 1930, the second daughter of Arthur Claude Vyvyan-Robinson (1880-1960), and his wife the former Patricia MacDonnell (1901-1982); and married 5 November, 1955, David Kenneth Wilton Cox (1924-2015), son of Richard Wilton Cox, of Harefield, London, by whom she had issue, two sons, Timothy (born 17 Apr, 1959), and Richard (born 31 Dec, 1961), and two daughters, Sarah (born 4 June, 1957), and Victoria (born 25 Feb, 1964).

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Peagram/Vinycomb engagement

 The engagement was announced 5 December, 2025, between Charles Sebastian Peagram (born 23 May, 1997), son of Michael J. Peagram, of Kirtlington, Oxfordshire, by his wife the former Katherine (Katy) Ellis, & Andie Katherine Colquhoun Vinycomb (born 1996), daughter of Bernard Andrew Colquhoun Vinycomb (born 1951), of Neacroft, Dorset, by his wife the former Frances A.L. Weston.

The bride-to-be is descended from the Robertson-Lockhart landed gentry family.

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