Sir Basil Henry David Montgomery, 9th Baronet CVO 1931-2026

 Sir Basil Henry David Montgomery, 9th Baronet, CVO, died at Kinross, 3 August, 2026. He was 95.

Known as Sir David Montgomery, he served as Lord Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross from 1995 having been Vice Lord Lieutenant 1966-74. He was Chairman of the Forestry Commission 1979-89.

 He was born 20 March, 1931, son of Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Keith Purvis-Russell-Montgomery, OBE (1896-1954), and his wife the former Cynthia Louisa Maconochie-Welwood (1900-1996(), descended from the Viscounts Strathallan.

He succeeded to the baronetcy, 28 January, 1964, on the death of his uncle, Sir Basil Montgomery, 8th Baronet.

He married 5 April, 1956, Delia Reid (1935-2019), daughter of Admiral Sir John Peter Lorne Reid, GCB, CVO (1903-1973), by his wife the former Jean Dundas (1909-1971), scion of the Dundas baronets, by whom he had issue, two sons, James and Andrew, and four daughters, Caroline, Davina, Iona and Laura.

His elder son, James David Keith Montgomery (born 13 June, 1957), succeeds as 10th baronet.

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Baroness Duncan-Sandys 1929-2026

 Baroness Duncan-Sandys, who died 31 July, 2026, was the second wife and widow of the life peer, the Baron Duncan-Sandys, CH (1908-1997).

She was Marie-Claire Schmitt, daughter of Adrien Schmitt, of Paris, France, and married 1stly, 14 October, 1948 (div 1961), the 2nd Viscount Hudson (1924-1963), son of the 1st Viscount Hudson (1886-1957), and his wife the former Hannah Randolph (who died 24 April, 1969); and married 2ndly, in 1962, as his second wife, Edwin Duncan Sandys, CH, PC (born 24 January, 1908, died 26 November, 1987), raised to the peerage for life in 1974 as Baron Duncan-Sandys, former husband of Churchill's daughter Diana Spencer-Churchill (1909-1963), and son of Capt George John Sandys.

From her first marriage she leaves a daughter, Annabel (born 1952).

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Nicola Mary Brown (née Minoprio) 1947-2026

Nicola Mary Brown, who died 29 July, 2026, aged 79, was a scion of the Minoprio landed gentry family.

She was born 9 January, 1947, a daughter of Frank Hilary Minoprio (1913-1980), and his wife Mary Wiloughby Renison (1914-1993); and married in 1967, Ca[t Michael Charles Brow (1945-2019), son of Horace Charles Brown (1906-1983), of Pymoor, Ely, Cambridgeshire, and his wife Florence Hard (1906-1980), by whom she had two sons, Guy and Christopher, and a daughter, Georgina.

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Jean Margaret Shaughnessy 1927-2026

 Jean Margaret Shaughnessy, who died 5 August, 2026, the day after her 99th birthday. She was an actress.

Jean Shaughnessy

She was born Jean Margaret Lodge, 4 August, 1927, daughter of George Lodge, of Kirkella, Yorkshire, and married 18 September, 1948, Capt Alfred James Shaughnessy, Grenadier Guards (1916-2005), playwright, scion of the Barons Shaughnessy, second son of the Hon Alfred Thomas Shaughnessy (1887-19176), and his wife Sarah Polk Bradford (1891-1955), later wife of the Hon Sir Piers Legh, GCVO (1890-1955).

She leaves two sons, Charles George Patrick Shaughnessy (born 9 Feb, 1955), actor, who succeeded his second cousin in 2007, as the 5th Baron Shaughnessy, and David James Bradford Shaughnessy (born 3 March, 1957).

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Bannister/Whitson engagement

The engagement was announced 8 August, 2026, between Austin Z. Bannister, son of Mr Garth Bannister, of Brisbane, Australia, and Ms Catherine Dupré, of Biggar, Scotland, and India Hebe Vanda Whitson (born 2004), younger daughter of James Alexander Whitson (1973-2024), descended from the Wrixon-Becher baronets, and his wife Ms Tamara Whitson (nee O'Connor), of Berwick St Leonard, Wiltshire.

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Legard/Walker marriage

The marriage took place 1st August, 2026, at the Garrison Church of St George, Bulford, between Alexander Thomas Legard (born 25 January, 1999), scion of the Legard baronets, second son of Edward Thomas Legard (born 9 November, 1966), of Charlcot, near Masham, North Yorkshire, by his wife the former Lucy Frances Kirkpatrick (born 30 January, 1967), & Sophie Juanita D. Walker (born 14 May, 1999), daughter of General Sir (Charles) Roland Vincent (Roly) Walker, KCB, DSO (born 14 May, 1970), Chief of the General Staff and ADC to HM The King, of Castle Frome, Herefordshire, and his wife the former Kate Leonore White-Thomson (born 1970), scion of that landed gentry family, and descended from the Barons Clinton.

Alexander Legard is a grandson of Sir Charles Legard, 15th Baronet (1938-2025).

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Rafe William Simon Winston Morant (born 2026)

 Lady Antonia Mary Catherine Morant (nee Peel, born 14 December, 1991), wife of Hubert George H.J. Morant (born 26 April, 1993), gave birth to a son, Rafe William Simon Winston, 1st August, 2026, a brother for Martha Charlotte Marigold, who was born 22 February, 2024.

Hubert, scion of the Morant landed gentry family, is a son of Simon Nicholas Gale Morant (born 19 June, 1943), of Buckland Marsh, Oxfordshire, and his wife the former Jacqueline Susan Rich. 

Lady Antonia is a daughter of the 3rd Earl Peel, GCVO, PC, DL [born 3 Oct, 1947], former Lord Chamberlain to Queen Elizabeth II, whose home is at Gunnerside, Swaledale, North Yorkshire, by his second wife the former Hon Charlotte Clementine Soames [born 17 July, 1954], scion of that landed gentry family, daughter of the life peer, the late Baron Soames, GCMG, GCVO, CH, CBE, PC (1920-87), and a granddaughter maternally of the Rt Hon Sir Winston Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, DL, FRS, RA [1874-1965].

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Lady Lucy Pelham (nee Egerton) 1937-2026

 The Lady Lucy Helen Pelham, who died 1st August, 2026, aged 88, was a scion of the Dukes of Sutherland, sister of the 7th Duke.

She was born Lucy Helen Egerton, 5th December, 1937, the eldest child of Cyril Reginald Egerton (1905-1992), and his wife the former Mary Campbell (who died 23 Sept, 1949).

Her father was a grandson of the 3rd Earl of Ellesmere (1847-1914). The 1st Earl of Ellesmere was a younger son of the 1st Duke of Sutherland, and Lucy's only brother, Francis Ronald Egerton (born 18 February 1940) succeeded to the Sutherland dukedom, on the death of his cousin, the 6th Duke, 21 September, 2000.

Lucy was raised to the rank of a duke's daughter, becoming Lady Lucy, in 2002.

She married 25 October, 1958, Michael Alan Pelham, JP (1926-2022), scion of the Earls of Yarborough, but not in remainder to the title, son of Harry Alan Pelham (1891-1971), y his wife the former Doris Millicent Taunton (1895-1985), by whom she had issue, a son Charles Peregrine Pelham (born 27 July, 1959), and a daughter, Laura Mary Pelham (born 15 May, 1962).

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FitzRoy/Kelly engagement

 The engagement was announced 6 August, 2026, between the Hon Humphrey John FitzRoy Newdegate (born 23 November, 1995), son and heir of the 4th Viscount Daventry (born 27 July, 1960), of Arbury, Warwickshire, and Viscountess Daventry (nee Georgia Lodge, born 1964), & Arabella Elizabeth A. Kelly (born 1996), daughter of Christopher B. Kelly, of Henley Oxfordshire, and Mrs Melanie C.A. Hampton (born 1959, nee Miller), of Hungerford, Berkshire.

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Lady Celeste Primrose engaged to Sam Kwame Stevens

 The engagement has been announced between Mr Sam Kwame Stevens and the Lady Celeste Primrose. 

Sam Kwame and Lady Celeste.

Lady Celeste Margaret Louise Primrose (born 13 October, 2003), is a triplet daughter of the 8th Earl of Rosebery (born 20 November, 1967), of Dalmeny House, South Queensferry, by his former wife Caroline Daglish (now Caroline, Lady Dalmeny).

Lady Celeste is fourth of Lord Rosebery's five children, and a triplet with her sisters Lady Delphi Primrose and Lady Lavinia Primrose. She has an older sister, Lady Marina, and a younger brother, Albert, styled Lord Dalmeny, heir to the Rosebery peerages.

At thepeerage.com one of the triplets, Lavinia, is now shown as the Hon Ptolmey Fydor Rex (Tolly) Primrose, a male.

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Elmhirst/van der Gaag engagement

The engagement was announced 5 August, 2026, between Capt Christopher Rupert David Elmhirst, Grenadier Guards (born 1998), scion of that landed gentry family, second son of Lieutenant-Colonel (Charles) Marcus Ross Elmhirst (born 1972), of Betws Ifan, Ceredigion, and his wife the Hon Jessamy Jane Lewis (born 1972), & Jemima Margaret van der Gaag (born 1997), daughter of Mark Christan Gerth (Marcus) van der Gaag (born Aug, 1968), of Hawkesbury, Kent, and his wife the former Susannah Brown.

Capt Elmhirst is a grandson maternally of the Hon Trevor Oswin Lewis, CBE (1935-2015), who succeeded as 4th Baron Merthyr, 5 April, 1977, and disclaimed the peerage for life, 26 April, 1977.

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Jeremy Mark Littleton Harris 1930-2026

Jeremy Harris, who died 27 July, 2026, aged 96, was a maternal grandson of the 4th Baron Hatherton.

Jeremy Mark Littleton Harris, was born in 1930, a son of John Elvine Harris, of that landed gentry family, by his wife the Hon Youla Edithe Littleton (1904-1992), daughter of the 4th Baron Hatherton (1868-1944).

He was a grandson of John Waugh Harris, of Stone, Staffordshire.

He married in 1956, Pauline Howson, daughter of Colonel Gilbert Howson, OBE, TD (1900-1969), of Nether Stanlow, Longsdon, Stoke-on-Trent, and his wife the former Daphne Shorter (1902-1976), by whom he had three sons,  Charles, Paul, and Benjamin.

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Daughter for Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank

 Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie, Mrs Jack Brooksbank, wife of Mr Jack Christopher Stamp Brooksbank, gave birth to a daughter in Lisbon, Portugal, 3 August, 2026. 

The baby is the third child for the princess, 36, and husband Jack Brooksbank, 40, and a fifth grandchild for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson.

The infant is fifteenth in line of succession to the throne, and the first member of the royal family to have been born in Portugal. 

Catherine of Braganza, Queen Consort of King Charles II was born in Portugal, 25 November, 1638.

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank married at St George's Chapel, Windsor, 12 October, 2018. 

The infant's father, Jack Christopher Stamp Brooksbank (born 3 May, 1986), is a scion of the Brooksbank baronets of Healaugh, Tadcaster, the elder son of the late Mr George Edward Hugh Brooksbank (1949-2021), by his wife the former Nicola J Newton (b 1953).

HRH Princess Eugenie Victoria Helena of York (b 23 March, 1990), is the younger daughter of  Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (born 19 February, 1960), by his former wife Sarah Margaret Ferguson [born 15 Oct, 1959], scion of the Ferguson landed gentry family, of Dummer, Hampshire.

Order of Succession to the Throne:

1.HRH The Prince of Wales

2. HRH Prince George of Wales

3. HRH Princess Charlotte of Wales

4. HRH Prince Louis of Wales

5. HRH The Duke of Sussex

6. Prince Archie of Sussex

7. Princess Lilibet of Sussex

8. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

9. HRH Princess Beatrice, Mrs Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi

10. Sienna Mapelli Mozzi

11. Athena Mapelli Mozzi

12.. HRH Princess Eugenie Mrs Jack Brooksbank

13. August Brooksbank

14, Ernest Brooksbank

15. Baby Brooksbank

16. HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

17. James, Earl of Wessex

18. Lady Louise Windsor

19. HRH The Princess Royal

20. Peter Phillips

Lionel Hugh Melville, MBE 1942-2026

 Lionel Hugh Melville, MBE, who has died in Papua New Guinea, aged 84, was descended from the Scottish landed family of Spens.

He was born 30 July, 1942, the second son of Maj Edward Kenmure Landale Melville (1912-1991), and his wife the former Pamela Doreen Spens (1920-1998), scion of that landed family.

He was married and leaves issue, one daughter, Fritha Anne Sinclair Melville (born 20 Sept, 1972).

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The 3rd Viscount Stuart of Findhorn

 The 3rd  Viscount Stuart of Findhorn has died at Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Canada, aged 78.

(James) Dominic Stuart was born 25  March, 1948, the elder son of the 2nd Viscount Stuart of Findhorn (1924-1999), and his wife Grizel Mary Wilfreda Fyfe (who died 24 April, 1948, weeks after the birth of her son), former wife of Michael Gillilan, and daughter of David Theodore Fyfe.

Eton educated Dominic Stuart was a grandson of the Hon James Stuart, CH, MVO, PC (1897-1971), a younger son of the 17th Earl of Moray, Equerry to Prince Albert, Duke of York (afterwards King George VI) 1920-21, later a Conservative MP, & Secretary of State for Scotland in the Churchill and Eden administrations. James Stuart was a rival suitor for the hand of Lady Elizabeth Bowes Lyon, who finally accepted Prince Bertie's proposal and married the Duke of York, April 26, 1923. 

Dominic Stuart succeeded his father, 24 October, 1999, as 3rd Viscount Stuart of Findhorn. He married twice, firstly, 18 Aug 1979 (div. 2002) Yvonne Lucienne Després, daughter of Edgar Després; and married 2ndly, Gay ________. He had no issue by either marriage.

He leaves three half-sisters from his father's second marriage, the Hon Chloë Ann-Marie (born 1952), the Hon Rosalie Jane (born 1954)m and the Hon Vanessa Mary (born 1960). It is believed that his only half-brother and heir presumptive, the Hon Andrew Moray Stuart (born 20 Oct, 1957) predeceased him, and if so the viscountcy (created UK, 1959) becomes extinct.

He also leaves a half-sister, Serena Gillilan (born 1938), from his mother's first marriage.

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Elizabeth Alice Wise (nee Abel Smith) 1936-2026

Elizabeth Alice Wise, who died at Northallerton, North Yorkshire, 2 August, 2026, aged 89, was born a scion of the Smith of Wilford House landed gentry family, and was a granddaughter of Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone.

A third cousin, once removed, of King Charles III, her home was at Leyburn, North Yorkshire.

She was born at Kensington Palace, 5 September, 1936, the younger daughter of Colonel Sir Henry Abel Smith, KCMG, KCVO, DSO (1909-1993), and his wife the Lady May Helen Emma Cambridge (1906-1994), and was a granddaughter of the 1st Earl of Athlone KG GCB GCMG GCVO DSO KStJ PC FRS (1874-1957), and his wife HRH Princess Alice Mary Victoria Augusta Pauline of Albany, GBE, GCVO, GCStJ, VA (1883-1981), the only daughter of HRH The Prince Leopold George Duncan Albert, Duke of Albany, KG, KT, GCSI, GCMG, PC (1853-1884), and his wife Princess Helen Frederica Augusta of Waldeck & Pyrmont (1861-1922).

She was a great-great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria. The Duchess of York (later Queen Elizabeth) stood sponsor at her christening.

She married at St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge,  29 April, 1965 (div 1975), Peter Ronald Wise (1929-2021), son of Capt Anthony Foster Wise (1885-1976), and his wife the former Eva Elizabeth Glentworth Baillie (1904-1976), by whom she had issue, an only child, Emma Charlotte Abel Wise (1973-1974), who died in tragic circumstances.

She is survived by a sister, Anne Liddell-Grainger (born 28 July, 1932).

For a detailed history see this from my old friend Marlene Eilers Koenig:-

Royal Musings: QVD death: Elizabeth Wise (1936-2026)

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Aeneas Hugh Alexander Robertson (born 2026)

   Helen Matilda Wyld (born Dec 1980), wife of Calum G. Robertson (born 2 February, 1990), gave birth to a son, Aeneas Hugh Alexander, in Edinburgh, 17 July, 2026.

Calum Robertson is a son of Gavin and Pauline Robertson, of Fife.

Helen is a daughter of Martin Hugh Wyld, CBE (born 14 September, 1944), and his wife the former Katherine M. Cusack.

Helen Wyld is a granddaughter of John Hugh Gilbert Wyld (1915-1999), and his wife Helen Selina Leslie-Melville (1921-1946), scion of the Earld Leven & Melville.

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Hon Nicholas Valoynes Bermingham Wallop 1946-2026

 The Hon Nicholas Valoynes Bermingham Wallop, who died 27 July, 2026, aged 80, was a scion of the Earls of Portsmouth.

He was born 14 July, 1946, a son of the 9th Earl of Portsmouth (1898-1984), and his second wife the former Bridget Cory Crohan, CStJ (1911-1979), and had sisters Lady Philippa Wallop (1937-1984) , wife of the 8th Earl Cadogan, & Lady Jane Wallop (1939-2021), and an older half-brother, Oliver, styled Viscount Lymington (1923-84), and a half-sister, Lady Camilla (Mickey) Wallop (1925-2023), wife of Lord Rupert Nevill. He was uncle of Quentin, 10th Earl of Portsmouth (born 25 July, 1954).

He married 1 October, 1969, Lavinia N.J. Karmel (born 1948), daughter of David Carmel, CBE, QC, (1907-1982) by his wife the former Barbara Jessie Burton (1910-93), daughter of Sir Montague Maurice Burton (1885-1952), by whom he had issue, a son Harry (born 22 Nov, 1974), and a daughter, Victoria (born 1 Feb, 1972).

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Son and heir for the Marquis and Marchioness of Blandford

   The Marchioness of Blandford (nee Camilla Elizabeth Antonia Thorp, born 7 April, 1987), wife of George John Godolphin Spencer-Churchill, styled Marquis of Blandford (born 28 July, 1992), son and heir of the 12th Duke of Marlborough (born 24 Nov, 1955), of Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, by his former first wife Rebecca Mary Few Brown (born July, 1962), gave birth to a son and heir, Orlando Charles Godolphin Spencer-Churchill, styled Earl of Sunderland, 15 April, 2026, a brother for Lady Olympia Arabella Kitty Spencer-Churchill, who was born 10 September, 2020, and for Lady Leonora Eliza Cressida Spencer-Churchill, who was born 7 December, 2024.

The Marchioness of Blandford is the eldest daughter of James Nicholas Thorp (born Feb, 1960), of Kern Farm, Alverstone, Isle of Wight, by his wife the former Philippa Clare Thomas (born March, 1959), and is a great niece of the actor, Richard Thorp [1932-2013], who appeared for many years as Alan Turner in the long running soap, Emmerdale.

 George Blandford is heir to the following peerages: Baron Churchill of Sandridge, co. Hertford [E., 1685], the Marquess of Blandford [E., 1702], Duke of Marlborough [E., 1702] , the Earl of Sunderland [E., 1643], Baron Spencer of Wormleighton [E., 1603], & Earl of Marlborough, co. Wilts [E., 1689].

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The Hon Lady Storey 1936-2026

 The Hon Lady Storey died 24 July, 2026. She was a scion of the Cayley baronets.

She was born Virginia Anne Cayley, born 1 July, 1936, third of the seven daughters of Maj Sir Kenelm Henry Ernest Cayley, 10th Baronet (1896-1967), of Malpas House, Brompton, Scarborough, and his wife the former Frances Elizabeth Edwyna Brewis (1908-1974); and married 30 September, 1961, the then Richard Storey (born 23 January, 1937), son and heir of Samuel Storey, MP for Stretford 1950-66 (born 18 January, 1896), and his wife the former Elisabeth Woodcock (who died 1951).

Her husband's father was created a baronet, 30 January, 1960, and raised to the peerage of life, 16 June, 1966, taking the title Baron Buckton, of Settrington in the East Riding of Yorkshire.

Richard Storey became the Hon Richard Storey in 1966, and succeeded his father in the baronetcy, 17 January, 1978.

She is survived by her husband and son, Kenelm (born 4 Jan, 1963), and two daughters, Elisabeth (born 27 Dec, 1964), and Melissa (born 6 July, 1968).

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Jackson/Dodds engagement

 The engagement was announced 31 July, 2026, between Thomas Sebastian Esmé Jackson (born 1993), scion of the Jackson baronets, of the Manor House, Birkenhead [Bt, UK, 1869], son of Brigadier Jolyon Thomas Jackson (born 12 October, 1957), of Corton, Wiltshire, and his wife the former Serena Howell, & Brittany C. [Bee] Dodds, daughter of Mr and Mrs Ian Dodds, of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Thomas Jackson is a grandson of Sir William Thomas Jackson, 8th Baronet (1927-2004)

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