The Baroness Clitheroe 1936-2025

The Baroness Clitheroe, who died at her home, Downham Hall, Lancashire, 10 April, 2025, aged 88, was the wife of the 2nd Baron Clitheroe.

She was born Juliet Hanbury, 16 November, 1936, scion of that landed gentry family, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Christopher Lionel Hanbury, MBE, TD (1905-1997), and his wife Lettice Mary Charrington (1906-1980), scion of that landed gentry family; and married 2 May, 1961, the then Hon Ralph John Assheton (born 3 November, 1929), son and heir of the 1st Baron Clitheroe (1901-1984), and his wife the former Hon Sylvia Benita Frances Hotham (1903-1991), scion of the Barons Hotham. Her husband succeeded his father as 2nd Baron Clitheroe, 18 September, 1984.

Lady Clitheroe is survived by her 95 year-old husband and two sons, the Hon Ralph (b 16 March, 1992), and the Hon John (born 12 July, 1964), and by a daughter, the Hon Elizabeth (b 6 Oct, 1968).

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Hodgson/Newton engagement

The engagement was announced 26 April, 2025, between the Hon Toby Henry Storr Hodgson (born 1988), of son of life peer the Baron Hodgson of Astley Abbotts, CBE (born 25 April, 1942), and his wife the life peer Baroness Hodgson of Abinger, CBE (born 7 Nov, 1954), & Sarah C. Newton, daughter of Mr and Mrs Michael Newton of Melbourne, Australia.

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Molesworth/Dunlop engagement

 The engagement was announced 26 April, 2025, between Lachlan James Simon Molesworth (born 1984), scion of the Viscounts Molesworth, eldest son of Simon Richard Molesworth (born 2 April, 1954), of Melbourne, Australia, and his wife the former Rosalind Marie Cochrane (born 1954), & Diana H.R. Dunlop, daughter of the late Dr Alexander Boyd Dunlop, and Mrs Aurelia Dunlop, of Melbourne, Australia.

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Fairbairn/Berg engagement

The engagement was announced 26 April, 2025, between Jack Edmund Brooke Fairbairn (born 22 March, 1995), elder son and heir of Sir Robert William Fairbairn, 7th Baronet (born 10 April, 1965), of New York and Salcombe, and his wife the former Sarah Frances Colleypriest Griffin (born 1965), & Sarah V. Berg, daughter of Andrew and Catherine Berg of Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States.

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Connie Jeanne Cubitt (born 2025)

 Eleanor Cubitt (nee Milligan-Manby), wife of James William Cubitt [born 25 July, 1992], scion of that landed family, gave birth to a daughter, Connie Jeanne, 11 April, 2025, a sister for Wilbur Thomas Owbridge, who was born 10 April, 2023.

James Cubitt is the elder son of Major General Sir William George Cubitt, KCVO  [born 1959], of Honing, Norfolk, by his wife the former Lucy Jane Pym [born 24 Sept, 1961], scion of that landed gentry family.

Eleanor Cubitt, scion of the Milligan-Manby landed gentry family, is the elder daughter of James Milligan-Manby, of Thorganby, Lincolnshire, by his wife Emma.

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Humphreys/Bunting engagement

The engagement was announced 26 April, 2025, between Edward Jasper G. (Ned) Humphreys (born 18 Oct, 1994), son of Toby J. Humphreys (born 1963), of Berwick St James, co Wilts, and his wife the former Sarah L. Hicks, & Sophie Elizabeth Bunting (born 25 March, 1995), scion of that landed gentry family, daughter of Mark Charles Bunting (born 27 February, 1959), of Pen Selwood, Somerset, and his wife the former Jill E.G. (Jilly) Carey (born 1959), scion of that landed gentry family.

Sophie Bunting is a niece of the Marchioness of Downshire (born 12 Sept, 1962), wife of the 9th Marquess of Downshire (born 4 Feb, 1959).

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James Peter George Steele (born 2025)

  Caroline Mary Steele [née McCorquodale, born 1987], wife of Thomas A.L. Steele, gave birth to a son, James Peter George, 9 April, 2025, a brother for William Hamish Lindsay, who was born 24 June, 2022.

Tom Steele is the son of Julian Steele, of Pitroddie, Perthshire. Caroline Steele is a scion of the McCorquodale landed family, daughter of Hamish Norman McCorquodale [born 1945], and his wife the former Mary Anne Cookson [born 1952], descended from the Brassey family, &c.

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Dido Selina Kerr-Smiley (born 2025)

 (Leonora) Brilliana Kerr-Smiley (nee Harley, born 1992), wife of Frederick Hugh Kerr-Smiley [born 25 March, 1992], descended from the Smiley baronets, gave birth to a daughter, Dido Selina, 13 April, 2025.

Frederick is a son of Mark Alexander Kerr-Smiley [born 30 March, 1961],  of Kensington, London, and his wife the former Manuela Marie Raquez.

Brilliana, a scion of the Harley landed gentry family, is the eldest daughter of Edward Mortimer Harley, OBE [born 1960], of Brampton Bryan Hall, Herefordshire, and his wife the former [Alice] Victoria Mather [born 1960], daughter of Lieutenant-Col Sir [David] Carol Macdonnell Mather, MC, MP [1919-2006], and his wife the former Hon Philippa Selina Bewicke-Copley [born 5 Dec. 1925], daughter of the 5th Baron Cromwell [1893-1966].

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Hamilton-Russell/Mitchell engagement

The engagement was announced 26 April 2025, between the Hon (Gustavus) Archie Edward Hamilton-Russell (born 13 June, 1999), son and heir of the 11th Viscount Boyne (born 27 May, 1965), of Burwarton Shropshire and Lucy, Viscountess Boyne (born 1965),  2nd daughter of George J S Potter, of Foxdale, Bunbury, co. Chester, by his wife Leila O McConomy, & Ottilie Rose Mitchell (born 1997), daughter of William Jonathan Edward (Jol) Mitchell (born 1958), of Benacre, Suffolk, and his wife the former Sarah Streeter.

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Kaye/Scrope engagement

 The engagement was announced 25 April, 2025, between Capt. Stuart Alexander Fairlie Kaye, MVO, The Life Guards (born 1993), younger son of (Richard Wilfrid) Mark Kaye (born 1951), of East Woodlands, Somerset, and his late wife the former Philippa S. (Pippy) Checketts (1959-2024), & Rose Edith Lygon Scrope (born 7 November, 1994), scion of the ancient house of Scrope of Danby, daughter of Adrian Richard Scrope (born 8 August, 1949), of New Hayward, Berkshire and Mrs Sarah Patricia Scrope (nee Ward, born 3 February, 1968), of Chilton Foliat, Berkshire, scion of the Earls of Dudley.

Capt. Kaye, who has been Equerry to the Princess Royal since 2022, was appointed to the Royal Victorian Order, in the personal gift of the King, in the New Years Honours 2025. He is a grandson maternally of Squadron Leader Sir David Checketts, KCVO, RAF (born 23 Aug, 1930), former Private Secretary to HM The King (when Prince of Wales) and an Equerry to the late Duke of Edinburgh and to the King (when P of W).

Rose Scrope is a granddaughter maternally of Gerald John Ward, CBE, DL (1938-2008), Berkshire landowner, a great friend of HM The King, Old Etonian, Royal Horse Guards officer, godfather of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, & a scion of the Earls of Dudley, by his 1st wife the former Rosalind Elizabeth Lygon (1946-2020), scion of the extinct Earls Beauchamp.

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Bertie Charles Alister Weston Brooke (born 2025)

 Alice Daisy Brooke (née Jack, born 1991), wife of John Weston (Jock) Brooke (born 23 February, 1992), scion of the Brooke baronets, gave birth to a son, Bertie Charles Alister Weston, 19 April, 2025, a brother for Amelia Ann Rosemary, who was born 28 October, 2023.

Jock Brooke, heir presumptive to the Brooke baronetcy, is the son of the late Charles Weston Brooke (1951-2024) , by his wife the former Tanya Elizabeth Maurice.

Alice Brooke is a daughter of the Rt Hon Sir Alister William Jack, KBE, DL (born 7 July, 1963), a former Conservative MP for Dumfries and Galloway and Secretary of State for Scotland 2019-2024, by his wife the former Elisabeth Ann Hodgson (b 1965). Sir Alister has been nominated for a life barony in Rishi Sunak's Resignation Honours List 2025.

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Hill/Tricker engagement

 The engagement was announced 25 April, 2025, between Julian Roger G. Hill (born 1997), second son of Guy Henry Charles Hill (born 1958), of Awbridge, Hampshire, and his wife the former Hon Emma Louisa Angela McGowan (born 13 June, 1963), & Saskia Catherine Tricker (born 1998), younger daughter of Graham John Tricker (born 1962), of Manea, Cambridgeshire, and his wife the former Lisa Victoria Fitzhugh (born 1966).

Julian Hill is a grandson maternally of the 3rd Baron McGowan (1938-2003).

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Harmsworth/Wood engagement

 The engagement has been announced between the Hon Vere Richard Jonathan Harold Harmsworth (born 20 October, 1994), son and heir of the 4th Viscount Rothermere (born 3 December, 1967), and his wife the former Claudia Caroline Clemence (born 1967), & Alexandra (Mwana) Wood (born circa 1999), daughter of Duncan Wood, of Zimbabwe, and Hilary Campbell.

Vere Harmsworth, whose father Viscount Rothermere is chairman of the Daily Mail and General Trust plc, publishers of the Daily Mail, MailOnline and The Mail on Sunday, was educated at Eton and St Peter's College, Oxford, where he read history. After working for BCG, the global management consulting group, he joined the family firm, learning all aspects of the publishing business. He has held a string of senior roles and is currently chief commercial officer for DMG Media.

Vere's mother Claudia is one of three sisters to marry into the peerage. Sister Katya was married to Richard Milborne-Swinnerton-Pilkington , of the baronets of that name, and sister Sarah-Jane was wife of Lord Francis Russell, son of the late Duke of Bedford and is now Lady Thatcher, wife of Sir Mark Thatcher, 2nd Baronet.

Vere is heir to the titles Viscount Rothermere, of Hemsted in the County of Kent (United Kingdom, let. pat. 17 May 1919), the Barony of Rothermere, of Hemsted in the County of Kent (United Kingdom, let. pat. 17 Jan 1914), and the Baronetcy styled "of Horsey" (United Kingdom, let. pat. 14 Jul 1910).

Alexandra Wood, the daughter of tobacco farmers, was educated at Peterhouse Girls, one of the top independent schools in southern Africa. She is a project manager in the construction industry and currently completing a master's in construction economics at University College London.

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The Earl of Hardwicke to marry Nicola Osmond-Evans

 The engagement was announced 24 April, 2025, between Joseph Philip Sebastian Yorke, 10th Earl of Hardwicke (born 3 February, 1971), and Nicola Antonia Osmond-Evans (born 1973).

Nicola is the eldest daughter of Mr Anthony William David Osmond-Evans (born 1943), writer, publisher, of Suffolk, and his former wife Mrs Yvonne Christiane Timberlake (nee Schwencke), of Haslemere, Surrey.

Lord Hardwicke is the son of Philip Simon Prospero Lindley Rupert Yorke, styled Viscount Royston (born 20 Apr 1938; dvp. 1 Jan 1973), by his wife the former Virginia Anne Lyon (died 1988), daughter of Geoffrey Lyon, of Hambledon, Godalming, co. Surrey.

The 10th Earl succeeded to the family honours on the death of his grandfather, the 9th Earl, 31 December, 1974.  He took his seat in the House of Lords at the age of twenty two, making him the youngest member then sitting; he was a member from 1993 to 1999, since he was not elected as a representative Peer under the House of Lords Act 1999.

In 1999, Lord Hardwicke received a suspended two-year prison sentence for supplying cocaine following a sting operation by the News of the World newspaper at the House of Lords. Journalists had posed as Arab sheiks, with the jury noting the "extreme provocation" used in the incident. Lord Hardwicke was suspended by the Conservative Party following the revelations.

Lord Hardwicke married firstly, in 2008, Siobhan Sheryl Loftus (born 1961), daughter of Kevin Loftus. They have one child, Philip Alexander Joseph Yorke, Viscount Royston (born 3 December, 2009), who is the heir apparent to the peerages. 

The peer is the 10th Earl of Hardwicke (Great Britain, let. pat. 2 Apr 1754); 10th Viscount Royston (Great Britain, let. pat. 2 Apr 1754); 10th Baron Hardwicke, of Hardwicke in the County of Gloucester (Great Britain, let. pat. 23 Nov 1733)

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Zoë, Baroness Monk Bretton 1938-2025

  Zoë, Baroness Monk Bretton, who died at her home near Montreux, Switzerland, 19 April, 2025, was the widow of the 3rd Baron Monk Bretton.

She was the former Zoë Diana Mary Alicia Scott, born in 1938, the daughter of Ian Douglas Murray Scott, and his wife the former Marjorie Mead,  and married 29 January, 1958, Charles John Dodson, 3rd Baron Monk Bretton, DL, born 17 July, 1924, son of the 2nd Baron Monk Bretton, CB [1869-1933], and his wife the former Ruth Brand [who died 5 Aug, 1967], scion of the Viscounts Hampden. 

Her husband succeeded to the peerage at the age of 9. The barony of Monk Bretton was created in 1884 for his grandfather, John Dodson, who was Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons 1865-72;  Financial Secretary to the Treasury 1873-74;  President of the Local Government Board 1880-82, 1874-80;  Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 1882-84, &c.

Lord Monk Bretton died 26 May, 2022, aged 97, was a peer for almost 89 years, having succeeded to the title, 29 July, 1933. He was the longest ever holder of a peerage, and sat in the Lords from 1948 to 1999.

Lady Monk Bretton leaves two sons, Christopher, the 4th Baron, and the Hon Henry Dodson. 

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Robert Heydon Gayner 1947-2025

Robert  Heydon Gayner died 10 April, 2025, aged 77.

He was born in April, 1947, son of Wing Commander John Richard Hensman Gayner, DFC, RAF (1918-1987), and his wife the former Pamela Rolt (1913-1985), scion of that landed gentry family; and married in 1972, Virginia Eilun Hamilton Borthwick (born Dec. 1948), daughter of Commander David Aubrey Hamilton Borthwick, RN (1921-2010), and his wife the former Pamela Walker (1921-2019), by whom he had issue, three sons, James Richard Heydon (born 1976), Oliver Stuart Heydon (born 1977), and Henry Charles Heydon (born 1983).

He was descended from the Walker baronets:-

Sir Andrew Barclay Walker, 1st Baronet > Mary Carlaw Walker > Evelyn Roylance Court > Pamela Rolt > Robert Gayner (d 2025)

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Rosemary Dorothea (Rosie) Wynne Finch 1940-2025

 Rosemary Dorothea Wynne Finch, died 10 April, 2025, aged 85. Descended from the Lumley Earls of Scarbrough, she was a niece of the 11th Earl, KG GCSI GCIE GCVO PC.

She was the former Rosemary Dorothea Austin, born in 1940, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Clive Grantham Austin, DL (1901-1974), Royal Horse Artillery, of Roundwood, Micheldever, Hampshire, and his wife the Lady Lilian Mary Theodora Lumley (1900-1981), (who was raised to the rank of an earl's daughter in 1945 following her brother's succession to the Earldom of Scarbrough).

She married 28 January, 1967, Charles Edward Ifan Wynne Finch (1929-2008), late the Coldstream Guards, (who died 18 April, 2008, aged 79), a scion of the Earls of Aylesford. He was a former High Sheriff of Denbighshire, son of Colonel John Charles Wynne Finch, CBE, MC (1891-1982), by his wife the former Alice Mary Sybil (d 1970), daughter of Charles Edward Ifan, by whom she had issue, a son David Wynne Finch (born 19 Apr, 1970), and two daughters, Mary Davina (b 1 Mar, 1968), and Harriet Jane (b 24 May, 1971).

NOTE: some works of reference place her date of birth as 22 May, 1940. Her birth was registered in Winchester Jan-March 1940.

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Rosemarie Hume Gray (died 2025)

 Rosemarie Hume Gray, who died 5 April, 2025, aged 97, was the mother of Sir William Gray, 3rd Baronet.

She was the former Rosemarie Hume Elliot-Smith, daughter of Air Commodore Charles Hume Elliot-Smith, AFC; and married 22 April, 1954, William Talbot Gray (born 4 July, 1931), of the 9th Lancers, of Eggleston, near Barnard Castle, son and heir of Sir William Gray, 2nd Baronet (1895-1978), and his wife the former Josephine Eveleigh (who died 19 March, 1943). Her husband, heir to the baronetcy, died as the result of a motor accident, 9 July, 1971.

Mrs Gray leaves issue, a son, Sir William Hume Gray, 3rd Baronet (born 26 July, 1955), of Eggleston Hall, Barnard Castle, who succeeded his grandfather in the baronetcy, 1978; and two daughters, Victoria (born 15 July, 1958), and Emma (born 9 Oct, 1962).

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Sir Roger Joseph Clifford, 7th Baronet 1936-2025

Sir Roger Joseph Clifford, 7th Baronet, of Christchurch, New Zealand, died 31 March, 2025. He was 88.

He was born 5 June, 1936, son of Sir Roger Charles Joseph Gerrard Clifford, 6th Baronet (1910-1982), and his wife the former Henrietta Millicent Elizabeth Kiver (who died in 1971); and succeeded to the baronetcy (cr UK, 1887), upon his father's death, 5 July, 1982.

He married 12 April, 1968, Joanna Theresa Ward (born 20 January, 1940), daughter of Cyril James Ward (1913-1984), of Christchurch, New Zealand, by his wife the former Janet Graham Stevenson, by whom he had two daughters, Angela Mary Jane (born 24 Mar 1971), and Annabel Mary Louise (born 16 June, 1973).

The baronetcy now becomes extinct.

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David Michael Ralph Nevill 1941-2025

 David Michael Ralph Nevill, who died at Tunbridge Wells, on 20 March, 2025, aged 83, was a descendant of the noble house of Nevill, and heir presumptive to the earldom of Abergavenny, held by his cousin, the 6th Marquess of Abergavenny.

He was born 20 June, 1941, the elder son of Michael George Ralph Nevill (1917-1943), who was killed in action in North Africa, by his wife the former Maureen Ethné David Rhodes (1920-2002), daughter of Maj (Arthur) Tahu Gravenor Rhodes, MVO (c1894-1947) and his wife the former Hon Helen Cecil Olive Plunket (1895-1968),  daughter of the 5th Baron Plunket (1864-1920) and Lady Victoria Alexandrina Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood (1873-1968), scion of the Marquesses of Dufferin & Ava.

Mr Nevill, of Birling Place, Kent, married 16 March, 1972, Katherine Mary Westenra, daughter of Rossmore Derrick Westenra, of Christchurch, New Zealand, by whom he had issue, a son, Guy Michael Rossmore Nevill (born 12 November, 1973), who is now heir pres to the Abergavenny earldom, and two daughters, Anna Louise (b 16 Feb, 1976), and Georgina Rose (b 16 May, 1981).

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Motion/Cottrell engagement

 The engagement was announced 19 April, 2025, between William Frederick M. Motion (born 1998), son of Andrew Barrie Motion, of Sandwich, Kent, and his wife the former Celestine Maria del Pilar Atkins, & Matilda Clarinda Cottrell (born 1998), daughter of Edward A.C. Cottrell (born 1959), of East Marden, West Sussex, and his wife the former Camilla J. Neal (born 1960).

William Motion is a brother of Davina Rose Cadogan, styled Viscountess Chelsea (born 1996), wife of George Cadogan, styled Viscount Chelsea, son and heir of the 9th Earl Cadogan.

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Moreton/Jodrell engagement

 The engagement was announced 19 April, 2025, between Jack E. Moreton, son of Mr & Mrs Nigel Moreton, of Lower Stonnall, Staffordshire, & Marina Louise Jodrell (born 13 April, 1997), daughter of Henry Francis Mostyn-Owen Jodrell (born 28 Apr, 1967), of Easton Grey, Wiltshire, and his wife the former Christina Roselle Phillips.

Marina is descended from the Mostyn-Owen landed family and the Ramsden and Boord baronets.

Sir John Ramsden, 4th Bt > Capt Henry James Ramsden > John Charles Francis Ramsden > Lt-Col Henry Ramsden-Jodrell > Susan Dorothy Mostyn-Owen-Jodrell > Henry Francis Mostyn-Owen-Jodrell > Henry Francis Mostyn-Owen-Jodrell > Marina Jodrell

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Hallaran/Norton engagement

The engagement was announced 18 April, 2025, between Charles Francis Hallaran (born 27 January, 1990), son of the late Michael William Hallaran (1938-2022), and his wife the former Olivia de Tessier (born circa 1950), now of Mere, Wilshire, & Lucinda Katherine Norton (born 1994), daughter of Richard W. Norton, of Rendcomb, Gloucestershire, and his wife the former Caroline Taylor.

Charles is descended from the Ballantine-Dykes landed gentry family, and from the Howard Earls of Carlisle (who themselves descend from the Howard Dukes of Norfolk)

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Charlotte Anne Gerard Sethi (née Buxton) 1955-2025

  Charlotte Anne Gerard Sethi, who died 18 March, 2025, aged 69, was a scion of the Buxton baronets.

She was born 25 September, 1955, the elder daughter of Lieutenant Commander Gerard St John Roden Buxton, RN (1927-2008), and his wife the former Judith Averil Campbell (1927-2021), a granddaughter of the 1st Baron Colgrain, JP (1866-1954). Charlotte was a sister of Sir Crispin Buxton, 8th Baronet.

She married in 1981, (Sardar) Mandhir Singh Sethi (who died a week after his wife), by whom she had issue, two daughters, Selina (born 1984), and Hermione (born 1988).

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