The Baroness Cornwallis 1949-2026

 Baroness Cornwallis, who died 9 February, 2026, aged 76, was the wife of the 4th Baron Cornwallis.

She was born Sara Gray de Neufville Stockwell in 1949, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Nigel Stockwell (1909-1976), of Mill Street House, Iden Green, Benenden, Kent, by his wife the former Deirdre Jarman (1920-2007).

She married 29 May, 1969, the then Fiennes Wykeham Jeremy Cornwallis (born 25 May, 1946), son and heir of Fiennes Neil Wykeham Cornwallis (1921-2010), who in 1982 succeeded his father as the 3rd Baron Cornwallis, and his wife the former Judith Lacy Scott. 

Her husband succeeded his father, 6 March, 2010, as 4th Baron Cornwallis (Peerage of the UK, cr 1927).

Sara Cornwallis is survived by her husband, and by a son the Hon (Fiennes) Alexander Wykeham Martin Cornwallis (born 25 Nov, 1987), and by two daughters, the Hon Anna Cornwallis (born 15 Jan, 1971), and the Hon Charlotte Cornwallis (born 3 Sept, 1972).

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Berkeley/Spiller engagement

 The engagement was announced 4 March, 2026, between Dr Rupert Charles Berkeley (born 1988), scion of the Barons Berkeley, the elder son of the late Roger Maurice Berkeley (1961-2011), and his wife the former Victoria Selmon (born 1962), and Mark Kevin Spiller (born 1994), younger son of Kevin Spiller, of Birch Hill, Berkshire, and his wife the former Lesley A. Ayriss.

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John Richard Sclater, CVO 1940-2026

 John Richard Sclater, CVO, sometime of Sutton Hall, Barcombe, Lewes, died 21 February, 2026, aged 85.

He was a member of the Council of Duchy of Lancaster, and appointed CVO by Queen Elizabeth II in 1999.

He was born in June, 1940, son of Arthur William Sclater (1909-2002), of Newick Park, Sussex, and his wife the former Alice Collet (1913-2005); and married 1stly, 1967 (div.), Nicola Mary Gloria Cropper (born 4 May, 1948), daughter of Anthony Charles Cropper (1912-1967), and his wife the former Philippa Mary Gloria Clutterbuck (1917-2009), scion of that landed gentry family; and married 2ndly, 25 April, 1985, (Grizel Elizabeth) Catherine Dawson, MBE (born 6 November, 1944), daughter of Lt-Col Herbrand Vavasour Dawson (1918-2011), head of that landed family, of Weston Hall, near Otley, West Yorkshire, by his wife the former Grizelda Louise Richmond (1919-2001).

He had issue from his first marriage, a son James Arthur Sclater (born 1970), and a daughter, Emma Mary (born 1972, deceased).

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Hon Endora Luna Marie Knatchbull (born 2025)

 Ambre Knatchbull [born Paris, 24 July, 1984], wife of the Hon Nicholas Charles Louis Norton Knatchbull, [born London, 15 May, 1981], scion of the Earls Mountbatten of Burma, gave birth to a daughter, the Hon Endora Luna Marie Knatchbull, in 2025, a sister for the Hon Alexander Nicholas J. Knatchbull, who was born circa 24 June, 2022.

Nicholas, who does not use the courtesy title of Baron Brabourne, is the only son and heir of the 3rd Earl Mountbatten of Burma [born 8 Oct, 1947], of Broadlands, Hampshire, and his wife the former Penelope Meredith Eastwood [born 16 Apr, 1953]. He married at the family seat, Broadlands, Hampshire, 20 May, 2021, Ambre Pouzet, a French-born behavioural therapist, a 'mer-lesque' performing mermaid, according to the Daily Mail.

Nicholas Knatchbull, a future 4th Earl Mountbatten of Burma is a godson of HRH The Prince of Wales. He is heir apparent to the Earldom, the Barony of Romsey, the Barony of Brabourne, and the Baronetcy, of Mersham Hatch. 

Source: Marlene Eilers Koenig

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Thomas/Gaunt engagement

The engagement was announced 2 March, 2026, between Ivo James Thomas (born 1994), son of Major Nicholas James Thomas, of Burrill, near Bedale, North Yorkshire, and his wife the former Victoria Mary Trotter (born 10 July, 1962), descended from the Holcroft baronets, & Lauren Olivia Gaunt (born 1999), daughter of Roger Stuart Gaunt (born 1966), of Thorner, North Yorkshire, and his wife the former Helen Anne Stevenson (born Aug 1965).

Sir Reginald Holcroft, 2nd Baronet (1899-1978) > Mary Virginia Holcroft (b 1939) > Victoria Mary Trotter (b 1962) > Ivo Thomas (b 1994)

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Alfred Alexander Eric Bossom (born 2026)

 Clare Mary E. Bossom (born 1993, née Hunter), wife of Caspar Luke Sebastian Bossom (born 1991), scion of the Bossom baronets, gave birth to a son, Alfred Alexander Eric, 18 February, 2026.

Clare is a daughter of Carl Stephen Patrick Hunter, OBE (born 1962), and his wife the former Dorothy Crookenden (born 1960).

Caspar is a son of Doric Alfred Howard Bossom (born 27 February, 1960), and his wife the former Sara Jocelyn Vaughan (born 1958).

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Clio Zuleika Rose Worsley (born 2026)

  Laura Worsley (née Taylor), wife of Nicholas Arthington Pitfield Worsley [born 29 July, 1988], scion of the Worsley baronets, of Hovingham Hall, gave birth to a daughter, Clio Zuleika Rose, 4 February, 2026, a sister for Lachlan Alexander Arthington, who was born 7 October, 2023.

Laura is the only daughter of Mr & Mrs Ian Taylor, of Assington, Suffolk, and Nicholas is the eldest son of Jonathan Hugh Worsley [born 3 Oct, 1960], of Hillington, Norfolk, by his wife the former Laura Pitfield.

The infant is a great-great niece of the late HRH The Duchess of Kent, GCVO.

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Ophelia Clementine Clare Quicke (born 2026)

 Lucie Quicke [née Shuttlewood, born 1986], wife of Thomas William Quicke [born 1987], descended from the Dewey baronets, gave birth to a third daughter, Ophelia Clementine Clara, 14 February, 2026, a sister for Araminta Florence Cressida, who was born in 2019, and for Florence Isabella Ophelia, born 26 May, 2021. 

Thomas Quicke is a son of Colonel Richard Neville Brayley Quicke [born 1951[, and is wife the former Amanda Julia Dewey [born 1957].

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Barrington/Redding engagement

 The engagement was announced 28 February, 2026, between Dominic Hew Williams Barrington (born 1994), scion of the Barrington baronets, eldest son of Rupert Hew Williams Barrington (born 5 January, 1963), of Miserden, Gloucester, and Mrs (Ann) Olivia Barrington (nee Nutting, born 20 Aug, 1963, scion of the Nutting baronets), of St Just in Roseland, Cornwall, & Augusta Kate Redding (born c 1996), daughter of Jon Stewart Redding (born 1952), of Wandsworth, London, and his wife the former Joanna Charlotte Stephenson (born 1960).

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Falcon/Hollingbery engagement

 The engagement was announced 28 February, 2026, between William (Billy) Falcon (born 1994), son of Andrew Falcon (born 1958), of Reymerston, Norfolk, and his wife the former Victoria de Bunsen (born 16 July, 1968), scion of that landed gentry family, & Brooke Elizabeth Hollingbery (born 1995), daughter of Sir George Michael Edward Hollingbery, KCMG (born 12 Oct, 1963), of Alresford, Hampshire, sometime British Ambassador to Cuba, by his wife the former Janette Marie White.

Billy Falcon is of Wellesley descent, descended from the 1st Earl of Mornington. His mother, Victoria, is a granddaughter of the 6th Baron Carrington, KG, GCMG, CH, MC, PC (1919-2018).

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Nina Romy Ida Hobhouse (born 2026)

Jenna Kate Hobhouse (née Ralfe, born 1984), wife of Hugh James Hobhouse (born 1984), scion of the baronets of that name, gave birth to a daughter, Nina Romy Ida, 18 February, 2026, a sister for Martha Grace (born 27 Apr, 2019), and for Thea Susan Julia (born 7 Oct, 2020).

Hugh is the eldest son of Martin Hugh John Hobhouse (1955-2024), and his wife the former Julia Isobel Craib, and a great-grandson of Sir Reginald Hobhouse, 5th Baronet (1878-1947).

Jenna is a daughter of Christopher Ralfe (born 1951), and his wife the former Gwendoline Shaw.

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Richard Mervyn Wingfield 1942-2026

 Richard Mervyn Wingfield, who died 26 January, 2026, aged 83, was a scion of the Viscounts Powerscourt.

He was born 30 December, 1942, elder son of Capt Mervyn Robert George Wingfield, DSO, DSC, RN (1911-2005), and his wife the former Sheila Mary Pigé Leschallas (1909-2006); and married 26 July, 1969, Diana Longhurst (born 5 May, 1948), daughter of Peter Michael Longhurst (1918-1990), of Haslemere, Surrey, and his wife the former Barbara Watson (1918-2008), by whom he had one son, James (born 24 Oct, 1973), and a daughter, Caroline (born 9 Aug, 1976).

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Douglas Michael Free (died 2026)

Douglas Michael Free died in Pau, France, 18 February, 2026, aged 76.

He was a son of Thomas Victor Free (1897-1949), and his wife the former Mary Louise Waddoups (1897-1958); and married in 1987, the Hon Harriet Susan Anne Neill (born 1962), daughter of the life peer the Baron Neill of Bladen (1926-2016), and his wife the former Caroline Susan Debenham (1930-2010), daughter of Sir Piers Debenham, 2nd Baronet (1904-1964), by whom he had issue, a son, Alexander (born c. Jan 1992), and two daughters, Philomena (born 1989), and Isabella (born 1996).

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Georgiana Rose Tasker Grimston (born 2025)

Sacha Grimston (nee Tasker), wife of Edward Charles Lucklyn Grimston [born 1985], scion of the Barons Grimston of Westbury, gave birth to a daughter, Georgiana Rose Tasker Grimston, 4 November, 2025, a sister for Antigone Rosslyn Katherine, who was born 23 July, 2023.

Sacha Grimston (née Miss A.S.R. Tasker), is the youngest daughter of Mr & Mrs Alan Tasker, of Lower Failand, North Somerset.

Edward Grimston is the son of Major the Hon [Gerald] Charles Walter [Charley] Grimston [born 4 September, 1953], of Finmere, Oxfordshire, and his wife the former Katherine Evelyn Kettle.

The Hon Charley Grimston is the younger brother and heir presumptive of the 3rd Baron Grimston of Westbury.

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Sophia Rose Pigott (born 2026)

Diana Mary Pigott (born 1992, nee Stewart-Brown), wife of Matthew Thomas Michael Pigott [born 1992], gave birth to a daughter, Sophia Rose, 13 February, 2026, a sister for George Henry Anthony, who was born 12 May, 2023.

Diana is a daughter of  the late Ronald Reay Stewart-Brown (1948-2015), of Charlbury, Oxfordshire, scion of that landed gentry family, and his wife the former Juliet Rosamund Birch Reynardson (born 1952), scion of that landed gentry family.

Matthew Pigott is the younger son of Lt-Gen Sir Anthony David Pigott, KCB, CBE (1944-2020) and and his wife the former Felicity Ann Astley-Cooper (b 1954), a scion of the Cooper baronets [UK, cr 1821].

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Drusilla Norman Shulman (née Beyfus) 1927-2026

 Drusilla Norman Shulman (née Beyfus), who died 26 February, 2026, aged 98, was a journalist and etiquette writer who was best known for her books on modern modes and manners. 

She was born in London, 1 March, 1927, a daughter of Norman Beyfus (1891-1975), and his wife the former Florence Noel Rhys Barker (1895-1974). After leaving finishing school, Beyfus began her writing career writing women's columns at the Reading Mercury and the Berkshire Chronicle. As a young journalist, 19 year old Beyfus was sent to Berlin in 1948 by the Daily Express to cover the Berlin blockade. In the 1960s, she contributed a chapter to Len Deighton's London Dossier, a guide book to 'modern' London. She was later a features editor at Vogue. As an etiquette writer, Beyfus contributed to over 60 different magazines and published books on the topics of modes and manners.

On 6 June, 1956, she married the Canadian-born journalist, war historian and theatre critic Milton Shulman (1913-2004), by whom she had three children, Alexandra Shulman, CBE (born 13 November, 1957), a journalist and the editor of British Vogue; Nicola Shulman (born 1960), a model, biographer, the Marchioness of Normanby, wife of Constantine Phipps, 5th Marquess of Normanby; & Jason Shulman (born 1963), a photographer, sculptor and magazine art director.

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Anthony Frederick de Salis 1934-2026

Anthony Frederick de Salis died in Tasmania, 13 February 2026. He was 91.

He was born 5 December, 1934, the elder son of Rudolph Ulrico de Salis (1904-1996), and his wife the former Ellen Louise Simpson (died 1957); and married 3 April, 1961, Marie Dawn Hamilton (born 21August, 1942), by whom he had issue, three sons, Stephen, Robert and Paul, and a daughter, Linda.

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Nigel Edward Goodeve-Docker 1944-2026

 Nigel Edward Goodeve-Docker died 15 February, 2026, aged 81.

He was born in 1944, son of Arthur Guy Goodeve-Docker (1904-1969), of The Firs, Hermitage, Newbury, Berkshire, and his wife the former Mary Watts (1912-1985), and he married in 1973, Aurelia Jean Pirie-Gordon (born 18 March, 1950), scion of that landed gentry family, of Buthlaw, second daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel George Patrick Pirie-Gordon (1918-2011), and his wife the former Catherine Grace Taylor (who died 2004), by whom he had two sons, Mark Patrick Goodeve-Docker (born 1979), and Phillip George Goodeve-Docker (born 1982, who died tragically, 28 April, 2013,  on the icecap of Greenland during an expedition), and a daughter, Mary Kate Goodeve-Docker (born 1977).

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Caroline Louisa Feilding Charles-Jones (née Harwich) 1948-2026

 Caroline Louisa Feilding Charles-Jones (née Harwich) died 13 February, 2026.

She was born in 1948, daughter of Christopher Alfred E. Harwich (1909-1972), by his wife the former Daphne Margaret Feilding Davidson (1911-1949), and married as his second wife, in 1982, Hugh Francis Charles-Jones (born 1932) (son of Maj Francis Jones, CVO, TD (1908-1993), sometime Wales Herald Extraordinary, by whom she had a daughter, Lilery Caroline D.E. Charles-Jones (born January, 1986).

She was a granddaughter of Sir Walter Edward Davidson, KCMG (1859-1923), the colonial administrator and diplomat, who served periods as Governor of the Seychelles, Governor of Newfoundland and as Governor of New South Wales, where he died in office, by his wife the former Margaret Agnes Feilding (1871-1964), daughter of Gen the Hon Sir Percy Robert Basil Feilding, KCB (1827-1904), scion of the Earls of Denbigh, by his wife the former Lady Louisa Isabella Harriet Thynne (died 1919), daughter of the 3rd Marquess of Bath (1797-1837).

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Ernest Michael Le Quesne Herbert (died 2026)

 (Ernest) Michael Le Quesne Herbert, who died 22 February, 2026, aged 89, was father of the life peer the Baron Herbert of South Downs, CBE, PC.

He was born in Oct 1936, and married in 1961, Judy Hutchinson, by whom he had issue, an only son, Nicholas Le Quesne Herbert (born 7 Apr, 1963), sometime Conservative MP for Arundel and the South Downs, created a life peer in 2020, and two daughters, Claire and Sara.

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Cook/Melhuish engagement

 The engagement was announced 25 February, 2025, between Benjamin Christopher Hamilton Cook (born 1983), younger son of the late Christopher William Batstone Cook (1951-2021), of Devon, by his wife the former Margaret Anne Blackett-Ord (born 2 March, 1950), scion of that landed gentry family of Whitfield Hall, Northumberland & Alexandra Hero C. Melhuish (born 1987), younger daughter of the late Jeremy P. Melhuish (born 1948), and his wife the former Caroline J. Charlton.

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