The 8th Baron Clanmorrris 1937-2026

 The Baron Clanmorris died 1st October, 2026. He was 88.

He was the 8th Baron Clanmorris of Newbrook, co. Mayo [Peerage of Ireland., created 1800], and had been a peer for 38 years.

Before completing National Service Simon Bingham served as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1957–1958. In 1961 he graduated from Queens' College, Cambridge, earning a Bachelor of Arts and later becoming a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Simon John Ward Bingham was born 25 October, 1937, son of the 7th Baron Clanmorris (1908-1988), and his wife the former Madeleine Mary Ebel (1912-Feb 1988), a novelist and playwright.

He succeeded his father, 6 August, 1988.

Simon's sister was Charlotte Bingham (1942-2025), the novelist, playwright, scriptwriter.

The 8th Baron Clanmorris married 28 August, 1971, Gizella Maria Zverkó, daughter of Zandor Zverkó, of Budapest, by whom he had a daughter, Dr the Hon Lucy Bingham (born 15 January, 1974).

Having no male issue he is succeeded by his kinsman, (Robert) Derek De Burgh Bingham (born 29 October, 1942).

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Albert Hieronymus Fromanteel Lytton Cobbold (born 2026)

 The Hon Mrs Edward Lytton Cobbold (née Meyer-Johann), wife of the Hon Edward Lytton Cobbold (born 23 April, 1992), gave birth to a son and heir, Albert Hieronymus Fromanteel, 14 October, 2026, a brother for Hermione Elizabeth, who was born 17 October, 2024.

Edward Lytton Cobbold is the son and heir of the 3rd Baron Cobbold (born 12 May, 1962), of Knebworth, Hertfordshire, and his wife the former Martha Frances Boone.

Mrs Cobbold is the former Helena Meyer-Johann, daughter of Frau Dr Ulrike and Herr Dr Carsten Meyer-Johann, of Enger, Germany.

The Cobbold peerage was created in 1960 for Edward's great-grandfather, Cameron Fromanteel Cobbold, KG, GCVO, PC, Governor of the Bank of England 1949-61, and Lord Chamberlain to Queen Elizabeth II 1963-1971.

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Riddell-Webster/Jones engagement

The engagement was announced 24 October, 2026, between Thomas Sheridan Riddell-Webster (born July, 1995), scion of that landed gentry family, son of Major-General Michael Lawrence Riddell-Webster (born 1960), head of that family, of Perthshire, and his wife the former Sarah Mariah Clottilde Findlay (born 1962), & Darcey Kate Jones (born 1995), daughter of Richard Jones, of Herefordshire, and his wife nee __Dobel.

Nicola Jane Meinertzhagen 1946-2026

 Nicola Jane (Nikki) Meinertzhagen died 15 October, 2026.

She was the widow of Peter Richard Meinertzhagen, scion of a wealthy merchant banking dynasty, and scion of that landed gentry family of Mottisfont Abbey, Romsey and Brockwood Park.

She was born in 1946, as Nicola Jane Phillips, daughter of Edward John Stanley Phillips (died circa 2008), of Old Place, Boveney, Berkshire, by his wife Edith Ruth Jane Lampard (1912-2003).

She married 19 April, 1967, Peter Richard Meinertzhagen (born 16 Apri, 1946), son of Daniel Meinertzhagen (1915-1991), was one of four so-called "Colonels" (managing partners) who ran the merchant banking house of Lazards — in a style so relaxed that he habitually snoozed at his desk after lunch with a copy of The Times over his face, and argued against competitive "touting for business".

Peter's mother was Marguerite Josephine Leonard (1914-2003)

Her husband was born into an Anglo-German dynasty which had been prominent in the City since a Daniel Meinertzhagen from Bremen married the daughter of another émigré, Frederick Huth, and became a partner in his London banking house in 1833. Though Huth & Co lost much of its trade-finance business during the First World War and closed in 1936, the Meinertzhagens became part of the City establishment — and lived in appropriately grand style at Mottisfont Abbey in Hampshire.

Peter’s uncle Luke Meinertzhagen (1916-84), was senior partner of Cazenove, while another uncle, Sir Peter Meinertzhagen (1920-99), ran the Commonwealth Development Corporation.

Her husband died 28 November, 2012, aged 66.

Nikki Meinertzhagen leaves four daughters, Candida, Lara, Natasha, and Alicia. A fifth daughter, Petra, predeceased her in 2010.

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Allen/Ruck Keene engagement

The engagement was announced 23 October, 2026, between Sean C. Allen, son of Mr Patrick Allen and the late Mrs Allen, of Thursley, Surrey, and Daisy Valentine Ruck Keene (born 23 May, 1996), scion of that landed gentry family, daughter of Jonathan George Ruck Keene (born 3 June, 1953), of Chipping Warden, Northamptonshire, and his wife the former Laura Carolyn Schomberg (born 17 July, 1950), scion of that landed gentry family.

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Christopher Hugo Niall Burges-Lumsden of Pitcaple 1937-2026

 Christopher Hugo Niall Burges-Lumsden of Pitcaple, who died 15 October, 2026, aged 89, was head of that landed gentry family of Pitcaple, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire.

He was born 1 June, 1937, the only son of Capt.Patrick Claud Burges, JP [afterwards Burges-Lumsden] (1905-1984), late the Coldstream Guards, scion of that Irish landed gentry family, and his wife Margaret FitzGerald Lumsden [later Burges-Lumsden] (1905-1982), of Pitcaple Castle, Aberdeenshire.

He succeeded his mother as head of the Scots landed family, in 1982.

He married 3 October, 1964, Pernille Marianne Westergaard (who died 24 February, 2024), daughter of Benedict Westergaard, of Bernstorffsvej, 5, Copenhagen, Denmark, by whom he had a son, James Benedict Burges-Lumsden (born 16 July, 1966), and two daughters, Marina and Anna.

His wife was a close friend of HM Queen Margrethe II of Denmark.

His only son succeeds to the headship of the landed family.

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Ann Clementine Calver (nee Bailey) 1936-2026

(Ann) Clementine Calver died 8 October, 2026, aged 89.

She was born 31 October, 1936, the eldest daughter of Commander Richard James Bailey, OBE, RN (who died 26 January, 1969), and his wife the former  Rosemary Ann Freeman-Mitford (1911-2005), scion of the Barons Redesdale.

She married 19 June, 1964, Peter Calver (1934-2002), son of Sir Henry Robert Sherwood Calver, QC (who died 3 July, 1963).

No issue of the marriage.

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Marion, Countess of Eglinton & Winton 1942-2026

Marion Carolina, Countess of Eglinton & Winton, who died 19 October, 2026, aged 84, was the widow of the 18th Earl of Eglinton & (6th) of Winton.

She was the former Marion Carolina Dunn-Yarker, scion of that landed family, born in the Cotswolds, in July, 1942, daughter of John Henry Dunn-Yarker, of Leyburn Hall, Co York, by his wife the former Adrienne Elizabeth Pinching.

She married 7 February, 1964, Archibald George Montgomerie, styled Lord Montgomerie (born 27 August, 1939), son of the 17th Earl of Eglinton & 5th Earl of Winton (1914-66), by his wife the former Ursula Joan Watson (d 1987).

Her husband succeeded his father in the peerages, 21 April, 1966. He was Assistant Grand Master, United Grand Lodge of England, 1989-95. The family home was Balhomie, Cargill, Perth, 

Her husband was 18th Earl of Eglinton (created 1506/1615 by letters patent); 6th Earl of Winton (UK, 1859); 19th Lord Montgomerie (Peerage of Scotland, cr 1448); 7th Baron Ardrossan (Peerage of the UK, cr 1806); and Hereditary Sheriff of Renfrewshire, Chief of the Name and Arms of Montgomery, &c.

She was widowed , 14 June, 2018. The countess leaves issue, four sons, Hugh, the 19th Earl, the Hon William, the Hon James and the Hon Robert Montgomerie.

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The Hon Mrs Mark Agar 1953-2026

 The Hon Mrs Mark Agar, who died 9 October, 2026, aged 73, was the wife of the Hon Mark Agar, scion of the Earls of Normanton.

She was the former Arabella Clare (Bella) Gilbey, born 14 July, 1953, daughter of John Gilbert Gilbey (1917-1982),  a former High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, scion of the Gilbey baronets, and his wife the former Angela Ruth Barwick (1916-1986), scion of the Barwick baronets.

She married 1stly, 16 July, 1977, Thomas Charles Blackwell. She married 2ndly, 8 February, 1985, the Hon Mark Sidney Andrew Agar (born 2 September, 1948), second son of the 5th Earl of Normanton (1910-1967), and his 2nd wife the former Lady Fiona Pratt (1911-1985), daughter of the 4th Marquess Camden, GCVO (1872-1943).

From her first marriage she leaves a daughter, Clare Blackwell, and from her second marriage, two sons, Max (born 6 April, 1986), and Charles (born 29 July, 1989).

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Ruth, Baroness Morris of Kenwood, CBE 1932-2026

Ruth, Baroness Morris of Kenwood, CBE, died 14 October, 2026. She was 94.

She was a trailblazing lawyer who became one of the first female senior partners at a major London law firm.

Ruth, Lady Morris of Kenwood.

She was born in 1932, as Ruth Joan Gertrude Rahle Janner, daughter of the former MP Barnett Janner, a life peer as Baron Janner (1892-1992), and his wife the former Elsie Sybil Cohen, CBE (who died 1994).

She was a sister of the politician Greville Janner, later a life peer as Baron Janner of Braunstone (1928-2015).

Ruth, Lady Morris of Kenwood was well known for her charity work, including her roles as a trustee of the Jewish Youth Fund and a patron of the Jewish AIDS trust. She also served as President of the Habonim Dror youth group; she received a CBE in 2014 for her services to the community.

After having been evacuated to Canada during the war by her parents, who feared that the Nazis were going to invade Britain, she subsequently returned to the UK, entering the legal profession and joining her family’s law firm, which subsequently merged with another firm. In an interview a decade ago, she described being made a senior partner, “but they wouldn’t call me Senior Partner, they would only call me Chairman of Partners, because I was a woman.”

She married 9 September, 1958, Philip Geoffrey Morris the 2nd Baron Morris of Kenwood (born 18 June, 1928), son of the 1st Baron Morris of Kenwood (1893-1954), and his wife the former Florence Isaacs (who died 1982).

Her husband died 2 December, 2004, aged 76.

Ruth Morris leaves issue, a son, Jonathan, 3rd Baron Morris of Kenwood (born 5 August, 1968), and tehree daughters, Diane (born 25 Jan, 1960), Caroline (born 23 Apr, 1961), and Linda (born 28 Apr, 1965).

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Hon Jennifer Smith-Bingham 1938-2026

 The Hon Jennifer Smith-Bingham, who died 16 October, 2026, aged 87, was a scion of the Viscounts Chilston.

She was born Jennifer Akers-Douglas, 30 October, 1938, daughter of Ian Stanley Akers-Douglas (1909-1952), and his 1st wife, Joan Holroyd Toms. 

Jennifer was a half-sister of the 4th Viscount Chilston (born 5 September, 1946), and was raised to the rank of a viscount's daughter in 1995.

She was twice married - firstly, on 24 June, 1958, to George David Henry Wiggin ( born 1 Dec, 1934), scion of the Wiggin baronets, son of Lt-Col Peter Milner Wiggin (1907-1994), and his wife Margaret Frances Livingstone-Learmonth, scion of that landed gentry family. Her first husband died in 1990.

She married 2ndly, in 1993, as his third wife, Charles Arthur Smith-Bingham (1931-2003), scion of that landed gentry family, son of Arthur Turberville Smith-Bingham, and his wife the former Jean Garland.

She leaves issue from her first marriage,  two sons, David and James, and a daughter, Davina.

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Sir Lionel Eldred Peter Smith-Gordon, 5th Baronet 1935-2026

 Sir Lionel Eldred Peter Smith-Gordon, 5th Baronet died 18 October, 2026, aged 91.

He was born 7 May, 1935, son of Sir Lionel Eldred Pottinger Smith-Gordon, 4th Baronet (1889-1976), and his 2nd wife the former Eileen Laura Adams-Connor (who died 1979_.

He succeeded to the baronetcy (created UK, 1838), upon his father's death, 1976.

He married 2 February, 1962, Sandra Rosamund Ann Farley, daughter of Wing Commander Walter Ronald Farley, DFC (1909-1942), and his wife the former Maisie Selina Peta Coast (who died 2010).

He is survived by Lady Smith-Gordon, and by a son, Lionel George Eldred (born 1 July, 1964), who now succeeds as 6th baronet, and a daughter, Isobel Charlotte Laura (born 17 Aug, 1966).

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Everett/Saunders Watson engagement

 The engagement was announced 21 October, 2026, between (Roger) Charles Hans Everett (born 14 March, 1995), eldest son of Richard S.H. Everett (born 1961), of Hamptworth, Wiltshire and his wife, the former Charlotte Anne Fiennes-Cox (born 1965), & Eleanor Liebe Grace Saunders Watson (born 3 May, 1995), the eldest daughter of James Michael Ross Saunders Watson (born 14 September, 1961), of Rockingham Castle, Leicestershire, and his wife the former Elizabeth Maryann Brown.

Eleanor is descended from the Marquesses of Normanby, and the Culme-Seymour baronets.

Eleanor's father succeeded to the Rockingham Castle estate on the death of her grandfather, Commander Michael Saunders Watson, 8 November, 2022. The castle has been the Watson home for 450 years

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Amelia Charlotte Tweedie (born 2026)

Heather Tweedie (née Hanlon), wife of Oliver John F. Tweedie ( born 1988), gave birth to a daughter, Amelia Charlotte, 3 September, 2026, a sister for Isabelle Olivia (born 2024).

Oliver is the second son of Simon Vere Tweedie (born 26 May, 1954), of Moffat, Dumfriesshire, and his wife the former Margaret Mary O'Kelly (who died 26 May, 2026).

Oliver is a grandson of Vere Justin Tweedie, MC (1914-1993), and his 1st wife the former Anne Temple Githa Hoare (1916-1986), scion of the Hoare baronets.

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Blair Mary Louise Tweedie (born 2026)

  Elle Tweedie (née McPherson-Yoon), wife of Angus Vere Tweedie (born 1985), gave birth to a daughter, Blair Mary Louise, 21 September, 2026.

Elle is the only daughter of Mr Oh Jang Yoon and Mrs Chantal McPherson, of Ontario, Canada.

Angus is the elder son of Simon Vere Tweedie (born 26 May, 1954), of Moffat, Dumfriesshire, and his wife the former Margaret Mary O'Kelly (who died 26 May, 2026).

Angus is a grandson of Vere Justin Tweedie, MC (1914-1993), and his 1st wife the former Anne Temple Githa Hoare (1916-1986), scion of the Hoare baronets.

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Morrison/FitzGerald engagement

The engagement was announced 20 October, 2026, between Geordie Anthony Morrison (born 14 September, 1989), son of the Hon Hugh Morrison (born 7 November, 1960), of East Ilsley, Berkshire, and his former wife (Cecilia) Jane Jenks (born 1963, now Mrs Paul Hearn), of Lambourn, Berkshire, and  Charlotte Elizabeth FitzGerald (born 1993), daughter of Michael FitzGerald, of Golant, Cornwall, and his wife the former Sarah M.M. Burgess (born 1961).

Geordie Morrison is a grandson of the late 2nd Baron Margadale, DL, JP (1930-2003).

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Anthony Julian Robarts 1937-2026

 (Anthony) Julian Robarts died 12 October, 2026. He was 89.

He was born in April, 1937, son of Anthony Vere Cyprian Robarts (1910-1982), of Fellyard Slapton, Towcester, Northamptonshire, and his wife the former Grizel Mary Grant (1914-2004), daughter of Maj-Gen Sir Philip Gordon-Grant, KCB, CMG (1869-1943), and his wife Annette Emily Mary Coventry (1884-1963), scion of the Earls of Coventry, descended from the 6th Earl.

He married at Chelsea in April, 1961, Edwina B. Hobson (born July, 1941), by whom he had issue, two sons, Charles (born 1962), and David (born 1964), and a daughter, Katherine Mary (Kate), (born 1966).

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Sir John Gordon Hannam, Kt 1929-2026

 Sir John Hannam, who died 8 October, 2026, aged 97, was the Conservative MP for Exeter, 1970-1997.

He was born 2 August, 1929, son of Thomas William Hannam, by his wife the former Selina Young.

He married 1sty, 1956, Wendy Macartney, by whom he had two daughters, and married 2ndly, 1983, as her second husband, Mrs Vanessa Irene Wauchope (born 10 March, 1940), former wife of John Edward Robert Wauchope, and daughter of Wing Commander Henry Adelbert Anson (1895-1955), scion of the Earls of Lichfield, and his second wife the former Muriel Irene Smith (1908-1996).

Hannam was knighted in 1992.

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David Peter Aykroyd 1937-2026

 David Peter Aykroyd, who died 9 October, 2026, aged 89, was a scion of the Aykrotd baronets, of Lightcliffe (created UK, 1920).

He was born 6 June, 1937, the third son of Colonel George Hammond Aykroyd, TD (1900-1972), of The Priory, Nun Monkton, York, by his wife (and kinswoman) the former Margaret Roberts Aykroyd (1903-1981).

He was a younger brother of Sir Michael David Aykroyd, 4th Baronet (1928-2010), and uncle of Sir Henry Aykroyd, 5th Baronet (born 4 April, 1954).

 He married 1stly, 30 October, 1958, Lydia Huldine Beamish (1939-2004), second daughter of Richard Pigott Beamish, of Castleyons, County Cork (of an Irish landed family), and his wife the former Ernestine Marguerite Hitchmough.

He married 2ndly, 2005, as her third husband, his brother John's widow, Mrs Lavinia Mary Aykroyd (nee Beasley, born 17 February, 1945), daughter of Patrick Thomas Beasley (1906-1982), and his wife Lady Alexandra Mariota Flora Egerton (1919-1991), daughter of the 6th Earl of Wilton (1896-1927).

By his first wife he had issue, a son, Nicholas William (1962-1989), and three daughters, Amanda Huldine (born 2 June, 1960), Emily Sorrel (born 9 Nov, 1970), wife of Lue Fenwicke-Clennellm scion of that landed gentry family, and Matilda Rose (born 15 March, 1978), Viscountess Clanfield, wife of Ashton Peel, Viscount Clanfield, son and heir of the 3rd Earl Peel, GCVO.

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Archibald George Bennett (born 2026)

 Alice Bennett (née Nichols), wife of George Albury Richard Bennett (born 1994), gave birth to a son, Archibald George, 12 October, 2026, a brother for Henry Albury Herbert, who was born 2 January, 2025.

Alice is a daughter of Mr & Mrs Jeremy Nichols.

George is a son of Charles Albury George Bennett, and his wife the former Joanna Caroline Vernon (born 26 March, 1963), scion of the Vernon baronets.

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Anthony Charles Farquhar 1942-2026

 Anthony Charles Farquhar, who died 7 October, 2926, aged 84, was a scion of the Farquhar baronets.

He was born 10 March, 1942, the second son of Sir Peter Walter Farquhar, 6th Baronet (1904-1986), and his wife the former Elizabeth Evelyn Hurt (1907-1983), and was a younger brother of Sir Michael Farquhar, 7th Baronet (born 29 June, 1938).

He married 25 October, 1969, Elizabeth Jane Braithwaite (1946-2004), daughter of Colonel Timothy Braithwaite, DL (1917-1989), of Limpley Stoke, Bath, by his wife the former Jean Esther Dalgleish (1924-2017), by whom he had issue, three daughters, Alexandra, Annabelle and Antonia.

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Sir Robert James Craufurd of Kilbirnie, 9th Baronet 1937-2026

 Sir Robert James (Robin) Craufurd of Kilbirnie, 9th Baronet, died suddenly following a fall, 8 October, 2026. He was 89.

He was born 18 March 1937, son of Sir James Craufurd of Kilbirnie, 8th Baronet (1886-1970), and his wife the former Ruth Marjorie Corder (who died 13 February, 1998, aged 97); and succeeded to the baronetcy (created GB, 1781, of Kilbirney, Ayrshire) on his father's death, 7 April, 1970.

He married 1stly, 1 February, 1964 (div. 1987), Catherine Penelope Westmacott (c1930-2017), daughter of Capt Horatio Westmacott, RN (1885-1954), of Torquay, Devon, and his wife the former Irene Mary Juanita Gwennap Moore (1892-1989) and married 2ndly, 1987, Georgina Anne Russell (born 1947), daughter of Commander John Dennis Russell, RN (1911-1973), of Lymington, Hampshire, and his wife the former Helen Anne Evelyn Corbet (1913-2005), scion of the Corbet baronets. He leaves issue from his first marriage, three daughters, Caroline, Penelope and Veronica.

The baronetcy now becomes extinct.

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Judith Anne Methuen-Campbell (nee Crowther) 1938-2026

 Judith Anne Methuen-Campbell died 8 October, 2026, aged 88.

She was born in 1938, daughter of Joseph Crowther and his wife nee Harris; and married 1stly, in 1959 (div), David Ifor L. Bassett (born 23 February, 1936, died 1992), son of Herbert Bassett and his wife Marjorie, of Glamorgan; and married 2ndly, 28 November, 1975, as his second wife, Christopher Paul Mansel Campbell Methuen-Campbell (1928-1998), scion of the Barons Methuen, son of the Hon Laurence Paul Methuen (1898-1970), and his wife the former Hon Olive Douglas Campbell (1896-1949), daughter of the 4th Baron Blythswood, KCVO (1870-1929). She leaves issue from both marriages. From her first union three children, Carelly, Amanda and Philip, and from her second marriage a son, Thomas (born 4 March, 1977).

Her son, Thomas Rice Mansel Methuen-Campbell is heir presumptive to the Barony of Methuen.

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