The Baron Hunt of Chesterton, CB, FRS 1941-2026

The Baron Hunt of Chesterton, CB, FRS, who died 20 April, 2026, aged 84, was a life peer, a meteorologist,  who was the Director General and Chief Executive of the British Meteorological Office from 1992 to 1997. 

Julian Charles Ronald Hunt was born in India, 5 September, 1941, son of a diplomat Roland Hunt and his wife the former Pauline Garnett.

Hunt was raised to the peerage for life in 2000, as Baron Hunt of Chesterton, of Chesterton in the County of Cambridgeshire, and he sat as a Labour peer in the House of Lords until 30 October 2021.

He was the leader on the Labour group of Cambridge City Council in the 1970s, and Professor of Climate modelling in the Department of Space and Climate Physics and Department of Earth Sciences at University College London. In 1989 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. He was appointed CB in 1998.

He married in 1965, Marylla Shepherd, daughter of Rupert Shepherd, by whom he had three children, a son, Sir Tristram Hunt, a former Labour MP who was knighted earlier this year, and two daughters, Matilda, a doctor, and Jemima, a journalist and novelist.

He was a distant cousin of another life peer, the Baron Hunt of Fawley (1905-1987).

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The 5th Baron Derwent, LVO 1930-2026

The 5th Baron Derwent, LVO, of Hackness Hall, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, died 21 April, 2026. He was 95.

Lord Derwent was educated at Eton and served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the King's Royal Rifle Corps, and as a lieutenant in the Queen Victoria's Rifles (Territorial Army.)

He was 3rd Secretary, in the Diplomatic Service from 1954  to1955. He was awarded the Chevalier, Legion of Honour in 1957, and served as 2nd Secretary, Foreign Office, 1957, and was 1st Secretary, Foreign Office, 1962. Lord Derwent was a director of N.M Rothschild from 1969 to 1985.

Derwent was appointed an Officier de l'Ordre Nationale du Mérite in 1978.1 He was managing director of Hutchison Whampoa (Europe) Ltd, 1985-98. He was appointed LVO, a honour in the personal gift of the sovereign.

Robin Evelyn Leo Vanden-Bempde-Johnstone was born 30 October, 1930, son of the 4th Baron Derwent (1901-1986), CBE, sometime Deputy Speaker, House of Lords, and his wife the former Marie Louise Henriette Picard (who died 3 November, 1985); and he succeeded to the barony (cr Peerage of the UK, 1881), and to the family baronetcy (cr 1795), upon his father's death, 2 January, 1986.

He married 12 January, 1957, Sybille Marie Louise de Simard de Pitray (who died 1 Aug, 2023), daughter of the  Vicomte de Simard de Pitray, and his wife Jeanine Hennessy, by whom he had issue, one son the Hon Francis Patrick Harcourt Vanden-Bempde-Johnstone (born 23 Sept, 1965), and three daughters, the Hon Emmeline (born 3 Nov, 1958), the Hon Joanna (b 1 March, 1962), and the Hon Isabelle (b 26 Nov, 1968).

His only son now succeeds to the baronetcy and barony.

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Toogood/Parsons marriage

 The marriage took place, 25 April, 2026, at Holy Trinity Church, Bembridge, Isle of Wight, between William Richard Stanley Toogood (born 1 June, 1996), son of Mark William Toogood (born 1964), of the Isle of Wight, and his wife the former Katharine Margaret Chetwynd (born 24 June, 1965), scion of the Viscounts Chetwynd, and Rebecca Victoria Parsons (born 1994), daughter of Ian Parsons, of Bristol, and his wife the former (Brenda) Alison Pittaway (born 1958).

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Leeming/Shaharuddin engagement

The engagement was announced 25 April, 2026, between Andrew Michael Leeming (born 23 May, 1996), younger son of Antony Richard Leeming (born 22 June, 1950), of Skirsgill Park, Penrith, descended from the Tempest landed gentry family, by his wife the former Lady Elizabeth Mary Cecilia Bowes Lyon, LVO (born 23 December, 1959), scion of the Earls of Strathmore & Kinghorne, & Safura Shaharuddin, younger daughter of Mr Shaharuddin Zainuddin and Mrs Hafsa Hasan of Kuala Lumpur.

Andrew Leeming is a grandson maternally of the late 17th Earl of Strathmore & Kinghorne (1928-1987), and is a second cousin once removed of HM King Charles III.

Lady Elizabeth Leeming is an Extra Lady-in-Waiting to HRH The Princess Royal.

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Major Toby Clements Gore 1927-2026

 Major Toby Clements Gore, who died 15 April, 2026, aged 98, was a scion of the Gore baronets.

He was born 28 December, 1927, son of Brigadier Adrian Clements Gore, DSO (1900-1990), of Horton Priory, Ashford, Kent, by his wife the former Enid Aimée Cairnes (1902-1997), and married 28 July, 1959, (Isolde) Marian Macintosh (1936-1996), by whom he had issue, four daughters, Fiona (b 1960), Juiet (b 1962), Tessa (1967-1994), and Stephanie (b 1969).

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Vivienne Mary Patricia Cresswell ( née Esmonde) 1945-2026

 Vivienne Mary Patricia Cresswell, who died 19 April, 2026, aged 81, was a scion of the Esmonde baronets, descended from Sir James Esmonde, 7th Baronet.

She was born 22 March, 1945, the third daughter of Owen James Esmonde (1905-1993), and his wife Eira Margaret Antonia Mackenzie (1913- ), scion of the Mackenzie baronets; & married 1970, Charles Timothy Cresswell (born 1941), son of Charles Patrick Skeffington Cresswell (1912-1992), and his wife the former Sidney Nancy Steyning Beard (1911-2007), by whom she had issue, two daughters, Laragh (born 1973), and Dominie (born 1975).

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Henry Vevers Phythian-Adams 1939-2026

 Henry Vevers Phythian-Adams, scion of that landed gentry family, has died aged 87.

He was born 31 March, 1939, the second son of the Rev William John Telia Phythian-Adams, DSO (1888-1967), head of that family, and his wife the former Adela Noel Evelyn Robinson (1901-1983), and was educated at Rossall and Queen's College, Cambridge, and Leicester University. He married in April, 1974, Margaret Mary Ashby (1937-2018), daughter of Lt-Col A.E. Ashby, of Lamonby, Skelton, Cumbria, by whom he had issue, a son, Thomas Ashby B. Phythian-Adams (born 1982), and a daughter, Mary Anne G. Phythian-Adams (born 1977).

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Major Richard Colin Bonham Sampson 1950-2026

Major Richard Colin Bonham Sampson, died 4 April, 2026. He was 76.

He was born 10 February, 1950, son of Major Richard Claude Sampson (1916-2000), and his wife Rosemary Anne Collingridge (1924-2022); and married 26 January, 1985 (div. 2008), Mariana Victoria Magdalen Bray (born 26 January, 1956), daughter of Francis Arthur Michael Bray, DSC (1921-2004), and his wife Victoria Seely (b 1933- died 11 February, 2026), daughter of Sir Victor Basil John Seely, 4th Baronet (1900-1980), by whom he had issue, three sons, George (b 29 Jan, 1986), Charles (b 26 Oct, 1988), and Hugo (b 7 May, 1991).

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Dorothy Frances Fleming 1955-2026

Dorothy Frances Fleming, who died 29 March, 2026, aged 70, was a scion of that landed gentry family of Nettlebed.

She was born 21 June, 1955, the youngest daughter of Major Richard Evelyn Fleming, MC, TD (1910-1977), and his wife the Hon Dorothy Charmian Hermon-Hodge (1913-2001), daughter of the 2nd Baron Wyfold (1880-1942). She was a niece of the 'James Bond' writer Ian Fleming (1908-1964). She was unmarried.

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Andrew Michael Smiley 1952-2026

 Andrew Michael Smiley, who died 17 April, 2026, aged 73, was a scion of the Smiley baronets.

He was born 30 November, 1952, the second son of Major Charles Michael Smiley, CVO (1910-1991), and his wife Lavinia Pearson (1919-1991), scion of the Viscounts Cowdray; and married at Chelsea, in October, 1975, (Sarah) Caroline Coade (born 1956), daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Courtenay Coade (1917-1967), and his wife the former Pauline Violet Ramsden (1927-2002), by whom he had two daughters, Charlotte Sarah (born 1983), and Sarah Miranda (born 1986).

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Rev David Burton Evans 1935-2026

The Rev David Burton Evans died 11 April, 2026. He was 91.

Born circa 1935, son of Thomas Evans, of Shrewsbury, he married 27 September, 1975, Charlotte Antonia Caulfeild (born 17 April, 1939), scion of the Viscounts Charlemont, daughter of Wade Toby Caulfeild (1902-1991), and his wife Philippa Mary Brocklebank (1911-1996), scion of that landed gentry family. No issue of the union.

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The King has made three new appointments to the Order of the Garter on St George's Day

 His Majesty the King has marked St George's Day 2026 by appointing three distinguished members of the House of Lords to the ancient and prestigious Order of the Garter.

England's senior order of chivalry has been bestowed upon historian and former journalist the Baron Hennessy of Nympsfield (born 28 March, 1947). Lord Hennessy is a historian and academic specialising in the history of government. Since 1992, he has been Attlee Professor of Contemporary British History at Queen Mary University of London.

The accolade has also been awarded to the former cabinet secretary the Baron O'Donnell, GCB (born 1 October, 1952), the former senior civil servant and economist, who between 2005 and 2011 (under three Prime Ministers) served as the Cabinet Secretary, the highest official in the British Civil Service.

The third appointment is filled by the former chief justice the Baron Burnett of Maldon, PC (born 28 February, 1958), Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales from 2017 to 2023.

These St George's Day honours bring the number of non royal Knights of the Garter to twenty three. There remains one vacancy in the order of chivalry founded by King Edward III in 1348, reportedly inspired by the tales of King Arthur. The order’s Knights and Lady companions are chosen personally by the sovereign.

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Boyle/Lang engagement

 The engagement was announced 22 April, 2026, between Jocelyn William Rupert Boyle (born 6 April, 1998),  scion of the Earls of Cork & Orrery, third son of Rupert Lancelot Cavemdish Boyle (born 19 September, 1960), of Laxton, Northamptonshire, by his wife the former Sarah Daphne Berry, & Samantha K. Lang, middle daughter of Mr Martin Lang and the late Mrs Alison Lang, of the Cayman Islands.

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Baroness Grainger, DBE

THE KING has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 20 April 2026 to confer the dignity of a Barony of the United Kingdom for life upon Dame Katherine Jane Grainger, D.B.E., by the name, style and title of BARONESS GRAINGER, of Garelochhead in the County of Dunbartonshire.

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Nicoletti/Hill engagement

 The engagement was announced 18 April, 2026, between Carlo Nicoletti, only son of Mr Massimo Nicoletti and Mrs Gisella Franco, of Milan, Italy, and Rosanna Virginia Hill (born 23 November, 1989), scion of that landed gentry family formerly of Hanbury, daughter of Christopher Francis Edward Hill (born 1955), of Holfield Grange, Essex, head of that family, and his wife the former Anna Mary Butcher.

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Burch/Lobanov-Rostovsky engagement

The engagement was announced 18 April, 2026, between Marcus James Burch (born 2 August, 1995), youngest son of Jeremy Ian Burch (born 1962), of Cardiff, Wales, and his wife the former Elisabeth Ann Thomas (born 1965), & Princess Sophia Chariclea Lobanov-Rostovsky (born 10 April, 1996), daughter of Prince Dimitry Lobanov-Rostovsky (born 14 September, 1962), of Wimbledon, London, and his wife the former Jonkvrouw Marina Cecilia Wladimiroff (born 26 April, 1966).

Princess Sophia is descended from the Trench Barons Ashtown.

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Mackenzie/Courage engagement

 The engagement was announced 18 April, 2026, between Alexander Charles Mackenzie (born 10 May, 1995), son of Marcus Charles Mackenzie (born April, 1965), of Putney, London, and his wife the former Joanna Pierce, & Beatrice Millicent Courage (born 14 April, 1995), scion of that landed gentry family, only daughter of Christopher John Courage (born 30 July, 1962), of Weacombe, Somerset, and his wife the former Alexandra Louise Haynes (born 17 March, 1966), a granddaughter maternally of the 10th Baron Vaux of Harrowden (1915-2002).

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Laing/Graham-Campbell marriage

 The marriage took place, 18 April, 2026, at St Mary's Cathedral. Glasgow, between Henry Laing, son of Mr and Mrs Rodney Laing, of Great Shelford, Cambridgeshire, and Emily Marguerite Graham-Campbell (born 11 September, 1997), daughter of Robert John Graham-Campbell, 11th of Shirvan (born 14 Aug, 1964), of that Scottish landed gentry family, of Hamilton, Lanarkshire, by his wife, the former Henrietta Heneage (born 1965), scion of that landed gentry family.

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Rachel Georgiana Kew (nee Fane de Salis) 1934-2026

Rachel Georgiana Kew, who died 22 March, 2026, aged 91, was a scion of the de Salis family, descended from the Earls of Westmorland.

She was a sister in the community of the Holy Rood, Middlesbrough, then Thirsk, and a partner in Wholeness Through Christ.

She was born 25 November, 1934, as Rachel Georgiana Fane de Salis, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Edmund William Fane de Salis (1894-1980), and his wife the former Katherine (Nancy) Williams (1896-1975), and she married in March, 1999 (div. 2001), Keith Kew (born July, 1962), son of Kenneth Frederick Kew (1926-2002), by his wife the former Elizabeth Coupland.

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Fuller/Tollemache engagement

The engagement was announced 18 April, 2026, between Peter Jack Fuller (born 1997), son of Stephen R. Fuller, of Lewes, East Sussex, and his wife the former Helen M. Gubbin, & Alice Mary Tollemache (born 11 September, 1997), elder daughter of Sir Richard John Tollemache, 8th Baronet (born 4 May, 1966), of Buckminster, Leicestershire, and his wife the former Amanda Louise Phillips (born 1965).

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Bourke-Borrowes/Drysdale engagement

 The engagement was announced 18 April, 2026, between Hubert Alexander Robert Bourke-Borrowes (born 10 June, 1985), son of Kildare Hubert Bourke-Borrowes (born 20 September, 1942), of North Aston, Oxfordshire, and his second wife the former Sarah Louise McCready (born 1952), & Veronica Mary Drysdale (born 12 March 1991), daughter of Robert Drysdale, of Logie, Fife, and his former wife the former Rachel Rosa Smyth-Osbourne (born 31 May, 1961), scion of that landed gentry family (now Mrs Rachel Halvorsen, of Adstone, Northamptonshire).

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Smith/Colliver engagement

 The engagement was announced 18 April, 2026, between George Hector Courtney Smith (born 29 July, 1993), first son of Christopher Hugh Courtney Smith (born 1961), of Thornhill, Stirlingshire, and his wife the former Charlotte Elizabeth Kerr-Smiley (born 17 January, 1963), scion of the Smiley baronets, and Chloe Iona Colliver (born 1993), daughter of the late Neil Anthony Colliver (1960-1995), and Mrs Judith Colliver (nee Smith), of Kew, London.

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The Baron Clarke of Stone-cum-Ebony, PC 1943-2026

 The Baron Clarke of Stone-cum-Ebony, PC, who died 16 April, 2026, aged 82, was a lawyer and one of the first 11 Supreme Court of the United Kingdom Justices and was the first High Court judge to be appointed directly to that court when it came into existence on 1 October 2009.

He was appointed to the Court of Final Appeal of Hong Kong on 11 April 2011 as a non-permanent judge. He was previously Master of the Rolls and Head of Civil Justice in England and Wales. He retired from the Supreme Court in September 2017.

Anthony Peter Clarke was born 13 May, 1943. 

On 15 April 2009, it was announced that he would be created a life peer, & was gazetted on 29 May 2009 with the title of Baron Clarke of Stone-cum-Ebony, of Stone-cum-Ebony, in the County of Kent, and took his seat as a crossbencher in the House of Lords on 1 June 2009.

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