Swire/Cotterell engagement

 _. The engagement was announced 29 September, 2020, between Samuel Compton Swire [born 1980], scion of that landed gentry family, son of the late Sir Adrian Christopher Swire [1932-2018], by his wife the former Lady Judith Compton [born 26 September, 1943], of Sparsholt, co Oxford, scion of the Marquesses of Northampton, & Poppy A. Cotterell [born 1988], scion of the Cotterell baronets, daughter of Sir Henry Richard Geers Cotterell, 7th Baronet [born 22 Aug, 1961], of Garnons, Herefordshire, by his 1st late wife the former Carolyn Suzanne Beckwith-Smith [1955-99], scion of the Beckwith-Smith landed gentry family, sometime extra Lady-in-Waiting to Sarah, Duchess of York.

Samuel Swire is a grandson maternally of the 6th Marquess of Northampton [1885-1978].

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George Weld-Blundell 1960-2020

_. George Weld Blundell, who died 23 September, 2020, aged 59, was a scion of the landed gentry family of Ince Blundell and the Welds of Lulworth.

He was born in 1960, a son of Charles Joseph Ignatius Weld-Blundell [1928-2004], by his wife the former Veronica Mary Noyes [1930-2020].

His father's ancestors include the 17th Baron Stourton and the 6th Duke of Leeds, and his mother descended from the 6th Baron Clifford of Chudleigh and the 8th Baron Arundell of Wardour, &c.

One ancestral great-uncle, Edward Weld [1740-75] was the husband of Maria Fitzherbert [1756-1837], lon serving mistress of the Prince Regent [later George IV], who contracted an illegal marriage with the prince in 1785.

George Weld-Blundell married in 1985, Buddug L [Billie] Lloyd, daughter of G. Selwyn Lloyd, of Prestatyn, by whom he had a son, Charles Joseph [born 1993], and two daughters, Laura Sian [born 1987], and Philippa Kate [Pippa] [born 1989].

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Hamill/Johnson-Gilbert marriage

 _. The marriage took place 19 September, 2020, at the Church of St Peter and St Paul, West Wittering, between Robert Matthew Hamill [born 1988],  son of Ian Hamill [born 1949], by his wife the former Gillian C. Sheppard, & Imogen Alice Johnson-Gilbert [born 1990], daughter of Christopher Ian Johnson-Gilbert [born 1955], by his wife the former Hon Emma Davina Mary Woodhouse [born 1954], daughter of the 5th Baron Terrington [1917-2001], by his wife the Lady Davidema Katharine Cynthia Mary Millicent Bulwer-Lytton [1909-95], daughter of the 2nd Earl of Lytton [1876-1947].

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Matilda & Tess Denny [born 2020]

 _. Philippa Rosalind Denny [née Dos Santos], wife of Patrick Charles Alistair Denny [born 1985], scion of the Denny baronets, gave birth to twin daughters, Matilda Elizabeth and Tess Maria, 1 September, 2020, sisters for Clara Rose, who was born 2018.

Patrick Denny is the son and heir of Sir Charles Alistair Maurice Denny, 10th Baronet [born 1950], by his first wife the former Belinda Mary McDonald.

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Romola Skye Macdonald Blair [born 2020]

  _. Annabel Jane Blair [nee Wilcken, born 1985], wife of Hamish Chandos Blair [born 1982], gave birth to a daughter, Romola Skye Macdonald, 16 September, 2020.

Hamish Blair is a son of James Chandos Blair [1948-2005], descended from the Hoskyns baronets, by his wife the former Alexandra Charlotte Struan Robertson [born 1952], descended from the Barons Forres and the Forbes of Pitsligo baronets.

Hamish married in 2017, Annabel Wilcken, daughter of Anthony D.F. Wilcken by his wife the former Jane Macdonald.

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John Francis Fuller-Sessions 1939-2020

 _. John Francis Fuller-Sessions, died 19 September, 2020. He was born in 1939, son of Francis Victor Fuller [1913-40], by his wife the former Winnie Victoria Collins [1914-83] [who married, as her second husband in 1940, Colin Sessions]. He married in 1965, Marion Hall [born 1940], daughter of Sir Douglas Hall, 14th Baronet [1909-2004], by whom he had a son, and two daughters.

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Huntley/Gladstone engagement

 _. The engagement was announced 26 September, 2020, between George Malcolm F. Huntley [born 1992], son of Mr Andrew Huntley, of Great Malvern, Worcestershire, by his wife the former Rachel Waldron, and Emily Ann Gladstone [born 28 November, 1994], scion of the Gladstone landed family, of Capenoch, eldest daughter of Mr Andrew Malcolm Gladstone [born 4 October, 1958], of Craichlaw, Wigtownshire, by his wife the former Mary Sweet-Escott [born 1961], scion of that landed gentry family.

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Honor Beatrice Celeste Helmore [born 2020]

 _. Princess Augusta von Preussen (born 15 Dec, 1986), wife of Caspar William Helmore (born 27 Jan, 1987), gave birth to a daughter, Honor Beatrice Celeste, 8 September, 2020, a sister for Otto Frederick Charles, who was born 11 August, 2018.

Caspar is the second son of Mr Charles Patrick Helmore, of London, and Mrs Rachel Helmore (born 1952, nee Aykroyd), of Rogate, west Sussex, scion of the Aykroyd baronets (Bt, cr UK, 1929, of Birstwith Hall, Harrogate). He is a nephew of Lucy Helmore, the socialite and model, former wife of pop singer Bryan Ferry, who took her own life in 2018.

Princess Augusta Lily von Preussen, a scion of the Royal House of Prussia, & a descendant of Queen Victoria, is the  daughter of HRH Prince (Frederick) Nicholas von Preussen (b 3 May, 1946). of Kensington, by his former wife the former Hon Victoria Mancroft (b 1952) (Victoria, Princess von Preussen, of East Coker, Somerset)  scion of the Barons Mancroft (Baron UK, cr 1937).

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Barnaby Franco Sacheverell Sitwell [born 2020]

 __. The Hon Emily Jane Sitwell [nee Lopes, born 1987], wife of William Ronald Sacheverell Sitwell (born 2 Oct, 1969), scion of the Sitwell baronets, gave birth to a son, Barnaby Franco Sacheverell, 22 September, 2020, a brother for Walter Henry Sacheverell, born 18 October, 2020.

William Sitwell is the editor, writer and broadcaster, the second son of the late Francis Trajan Sacheverell Sitwell (1935-2004), by his wife the former Susanna Carolyn Cross, scion of the Cross baronets.

The Hon Emily Sitwell is a daughter of the late 3rd Baron Roborough (1940-2015), by his 2nd wife (and first cousin once removed) Sarah Anne Pipon (b 1951).

It is William Sitwell's second marriage. In 1999 he married Laura Barbara McCorquodale (born 1972), scion of that landed family, dau of Capt Euan McCorquodale.

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Princess Eugenie, Mrs Jack Brooksbank is pregnant

 _. It has been announced that HRH Princess Eugenie, Mrs Jack Brooksbank, and her husband Jack, are expecting their first child.

The couple married at St George's Chapel in October, 2018. The Queen's great-grandchild is expected early in 2021.

Jack Christopher Stamp Brooksbank (born 3 May, 1986), scion of the Brooksbank baronets, is the elder son of Mr George Edward Hugh Brooksbank (b 8 Feb 1949), by his wife the former Nicola J Newton (b 1953).

HRH Princess Eugenie Victoria Helena of York (b 23 Mar, 1990), is the younger daughter of HRH The Duke of York, KG (born 19 Feb, 1960), by his former wife the former Sarah Margaret Ferguson [born 15 Oct, 1959], scion of the Fergusons of Dummer.

Eugenie and Jack are closely related ~ they are third cousins twice removed. Both Eugenie and Jack descend from Thomas William Coke, 2nd Earl of Leicester [1822-1909]. 

2nd Earl of Leicester ->Lady Julia Coke -> 8th Viscount Powerscourt -> Doreen Wingfield -> Susan Wright -> Sarah Ferguson -> Princess Eugenie

2nd Earl of Leicester ->Hon Sir John Coke -> Celia Coke -> George Brooksbank -> Jack Brooksbank

Jack's great-grandfather Major the Hon Sir John Spencer Coke [1880-1957], was Gentleman Usher to HM King George VI between 1938 and 1953. He was appointed Commander, Royal Victorian Order (C.V.O.) in 1946. He was appointed Knight Commander, Royal Victorian Order (K.C.V.O.) in 1953.

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Jewell/Heriot-Maitland engagement

 _. The engagement was announced 25 September, 2020, between Calum Jewell, younger son of Mr Stanley Jewell, and Mrs Ann McKinsley, both of Dunfermline, and Alexandra Heriot-Maitland [born 1989], scion of the Earls of Lauderdale, third daughter of Mr Patrick Richard Heriot-Maitland [born 23 April, 1947], of Dunning, Perthshire, by his wife the former Marilyn Lois Grant.

Alexandra Heriot-Maitland is a 5 x gt-granddaughter of the 6th Earl of Lauderdale [who died in 1744].

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Sir John Hay of Park, 11th Baronet 1935-2020

 _. Sir John Hay of Park, 11th [and last] Baronet, died 9 July, 2020, according to the Clan Hay website. He was 84.

John Erroll Audley Hay was born 3 December, 1935, son of Sir Arthur Thomas Erroll Hay, 10th Baronet [1909-93], by his 1st wife the former Hertha Hedwig Paula Louise  Stölzle [died 1994], who was a great x 2 niece of Ludwig van Beethoven.

Sir John never married. The baronetcy of Nova Scotia, created in 1663, is now extinct.

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Winckler/Forte marriage

 _. The marriage took place 19 September, 2020, in London, between Felix Winckler [born c. 1979], and Irene Alisea Forte [born 1988], daughter of the Hon Sir Rocco Giovanni Vincent Forte [born 18 January, 1945], by his wife the former Aliai Giovanna Maria Ricci.

Irene is a paternal granddaughter of Charles Carmine Forte, the Baron Forte [1908-2007], life peer.

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Claude Packe-Drury-Lowe [born 2020]

 Aki Judith Packe-Drury-Lowe [born 1979], wife of George Thomas Naylor Packe-Drury-Lowe [born 1994], scion of that landed gentry family, has given birth to a son, Claude, a brother for Ursula.

George Packe-Drury-Lowe is heir to the Preswold Hall estate, Leicestershire, son of Edward Packe-Drury-Lowe, of Prestwold Hall, a descendant of the Barons Colebrooke, & the Needham Earls of Kilmorey, by his 1st wife the former ___ Naylor.

Prestwold Hall came to the Drury-Lowe family in 1936 when Penelope Mary Packe, the daughter of Sir Edward Hussey Packe, married John Drury Boteler Drury-Lowe (1905-1960). Drury-Lowe adopted the additional surname of Packe – his son, Simon Jasper Packe-Drury-Lowe [1938-2015], inherited the house and estate. It is now the home of Simon's son, Edward.

George and Aki, who married in 2017, have a daughter, Ursula, born in 2018.

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Hon Lady Coats 1929-2020

 _. The Hon Lady Coats died 19 September, 2020, aged 91.

She was born 23 August, 1929, as Elizabeth MacAndrew, daughter of Charles Glen MacAndrew [1888-1979], Conservative MP for Kilmarnock 1924-29, by his first wife the former Lilian Cathleen Curran [died 1978]. Her father, later Tory MP for Patrick and for North Ayrshire was raised to the peerage in 1959, as Baron MacAndrew.

Elizabeth MacAndrew married 8 February, 1950, William David Coats [1924-2009], a great nephew of the 1st Baron Glentanar. William Coats, who was knighted in 1985, was the last member of his family to head the Paisley threadmaking company that still bears his name. 

The Hon Lady Coats was widowed, 1 May, 2009. She leaves two sons, Brian and Adrian, and a daughter, Frances.

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Sir Malcolm Rognvald Innes of Edingight, KCVO 1938-2020

 _. Sir Malcolm Innes, 16th of Edingight, KCVO, who has died aged 82, was a former Lord Lyon King of Arms.

He was born 25 May, 1938, son of Sir Thomas Innes, 7th of Learney, GCVO [1893-1971], Lord Lyon King of Arms 1945-1969, by his wife the former Lady Lucy Buchan [1902-2002], daughter of the 18th Earl of Caithness [1862-1947].

He married 19 Oct, 1963, Joan Hay [died 22 Nov, 2013], daughter of Thomas Hay, by whom he had issue, three sons, John, yr of Edingight [born 1965], Colin [born 1967], and Michael [born 1970].

Sir Malcolm was admitted to the Royal Company of Archers in 1971. He held the office of Marchmont Herald between 1972 and 1981. He held the office of Secretary to the Order of the Thistle. He was appointed Commander, Royal Victorian Order (C.V.O.) in 1981. He held the office of Lord Lyon King of Arms between 1981 and 2001. He was appointed Knight Commander, Royal Victorian Order (K.C.V.O.) in 1990. He was appointed Fellow, Society of Antiquaries, Scotland (F.S.A.Scot.) He held the office of Orkney Herald of Arms Extraordinary in 2001.

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Richmond-Watson/Allen-Oliver engagement

 _. The engagement was announced 23 September, 2020, between Mr Bob Stuart Richmond-Watson [born 1985], scion of that landed gentry family, of Brightwell Park, a landscape and garden designer, son of Julian Howard Richmond-Watson [born 1947], of Potterspury, Northamptonshire, racehorse owner, head of the Richmond-Watson landed gentry family, by his wife the former Sarah Frances Gee [born 1951], & Mr Morgan T.G. Allen-Oliver, a knitwear designer, son of Mr Richard Oliver and the Rev Dorothea Oliver, of Draycott, Somerset.

Bob Richmond-Watson's maternal grandfather, Francis Norman Gee [1908-51], married Sheila Jackson-Stops [1917-2011], of that landed gentry family.

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Wynn-Williams/Keys engagement

 _. The engagement was announced 23 September, 2020, between Henry George [Harry] Wynn-Williams [born 1984], son of Hugo Wynn-Williams born 1955], of Dogmersfield, Hampshire, by his wife the former Mary Vaughan [born 1955], & Letitia Mary Keys [born 1990], younger daughter of Mr Richard Keys, of Streat, East Sussex, by his wife the former Helen K. Jackson.

Harry Wynn-Wiilliams is a grandson of the late George Wynn-Williams, who married in 1943, Lady Penelope Jowitt [1923-2007], daughter of the 1st [and last] Earl Jowitt, PC [1885-1957], Lord Chancellor in the administration of Clement Attlee, 1945-51.

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Shirley/Varley marriage

 _. The marriage took place 12 September, 2020, at the Abbey Church of St Mary the Virgin, Sherborne, Dorset, between Evelyn Robert Shirley [born 1990], scion of the Earls Ferrers, eldest son of Philip Evelyn Shirley [born 29 September, 1955], of Ettington, by his wife the former Augusta Southern, & Georgina Anne Varley [born 1990], daughter of Kevin A. Varley, of Moorside, Dorset, by his wife the former Cathrine A. Brown.

Evelyn Shirley is a descendant of the 1st Earl Ferrers [1650-1717].

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Nigel Dodds's life peerage has been gazetted

 _. The life peerage recently awarded to former DUP MP Nigel Dodds has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Dodds of Duncairn, of Duncairn in the City of Belfast.

Nigel Alexander Dodds, PC, OBE (born 20 August 1958) is a Northern Ireland barrister and unionist politician. Dodds became North Belfast's MP in the 2001 UK general election and served in that role until he was succeeded by Sinn Féin's John Finucane in 2019. He has served in the past as a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, and as Minister of Finance in the Northern Ireland Executive. He has been deputy leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) since June 2008. He has been Lord Mayor of Belfast twice, and from 1993 has been General Secretary of the DUP.

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Bryn Davies's life peerage has been gazetted

 _. The life peerage recently awarded to Brinley Howard Davies has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Davies of Brixton, of Brixton in the London Borough of Lambeth.

Brinley Howard "Bryn" Davies (born 17 May 1944) is a British trade unionist, actuary and politician who was Leader of the Inner London Education Authority in the early 1980s.

He was nominated for a peerage by the Leader of the Labour Party at the Dissolution, 2019.

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Michael Spencer's life peerage gazetted...

 _. The life peerage recently awarded to Mr Michael Spencer has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Spencer of Alresford, of Alresford in the County of Hampshire, 17 September, 2020.

Michael Alan Spencer (born 30 May 1955) is a British businessman and philanthropist. He is the founder of NEX Group, a UK-based business focused on electronic markets and post trade business which was acquired by CME Group in November 2018. 

NEX Group was formerly known as ICAP, until the sale of its voice-broking business to Tullett Prebon in December 2016. Spencer has been described as the richest self-made person in the City of London and as a "City grandee". According to the Sunday Times Rich List in 2020, he is worth an estimated £1.1 billion, a decrease of £50 million from the previous year.

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Charles Moore's life peerage gazetted ...

 _. The life peerage awarded to Charles Moore in Boris Johnson's Dissolution Honours list has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Moore of Etchingham, of Etchingham in the County of East Sussex, 17 September, 2020.

Charles Hilary Moore (born 31 October 1956) is an English journalist and a former editor of The Daily Telegraph, The Spectator and The Sunday Telegraph; he still writes for all three. At the Telegraph he was the boss of later Prime Minister Boris Johnson who was the paper's Brussels correspondent. When asked what working with Johnson was like he replied: "it was a nightmare." Moore is best known globally for his authorised biography of Margaret Thatcher, published in three volumes (2013, 2016 and 2019).

Moore was educated at Eton College and Trinity College, Cambridge. After university he joined The Daily Telegraph as a political correspondent. From the Telegraph, he became a political columnist at The Spectator. In 1984 he became editor of The Spectator and edited The Sunday Telegraph from 1992 to 1995. From 1995 to 2003 he served as editor of The Daily Telegraph.

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Marylee Anne Ravnkilde [nee Wigram] 1952-2020

 _. Marylee Anne Ravnkilde [nee Wigram], who died 20 September, 2020, aged 68, was a scion of the Wigram baronets.

She was born Marylee Anne Wigram, 16 March, 1952, daughter of Gerald Frederic Wigram [1916-2009], by his wife the former Anne Christal Butler [1909-1981], scion of the Barons Dunboyne, and married 15 November, 1997, Major (Knud Peter) Mark Ravnkilde, son of Knud Ravnkilde.

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Mary Louise Anne Hoare [née Hamill-Stewart] 1959-2020

 _. Mary-Louise Anne Hoare, who has died from cancer, aged 61, was descended from the Arbuthnot baronets.

She was born 22 March, 1959, a triplet daughter [with brothers Mark & Charles] of Michael Patrick  Hamill-Stewart [born 9 July, 1931] by his wife the former Anita Nicole Bourg, daughter of Francis Bourg, of Luxembourg; married 1996, Nicholas P. Hoare [born 1957], son of C.S. Hoare, of Medstead, Hampshire, by whom she had issue, a son, Oliver [born 1998], and a daughter, Annabel [born 2000].

Mrs Hoare was a descendant of Sir Robert Keith Arbuthnot, 2nd Baronet [1801-73]

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Claudia Florence Rose Rundall [born 2020]

 _. Helen Mary Rundall [née Dyson, born 1987], wife of John William Nathaniel [Jack] Rundall [born 1987], gave birth to a daughter, Claudia Florence Rose, 20 September, 2020, a sister for Imogen Mary Angela, who was born 3 March, 2018.

Helen is a daughter of [John] Nigel Dyson, by his wife the former Janet Mary Tickell.

Jack Rundall is a son of Francis Richard Seton Rundall, by his wife the former Lady Rosalthé Frances Ryder [born 1 May, 1954], scion of the Earls of Harrowby, daughter of the 7th Earl of Harrowby [1922-2007].

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Charles Peter Symes Bullen 1941-2020

 _. Charles Peter Symes Bullen, of Avington Park, near Winchester, died 17 September, 2020, aged 79.

He was a scion of that landed family, formerly of Catherton. Born at Whitchurch, Shropshire in 1941, son of Lt-Col John [Jack] Symes Bullen, by his wife the former Anne Harris-St John.

He had siblings, brothers Anthony and Michael, and sisters Anne and Jane.   Jane Bullen, LVO, is the Princess Royal's Lady in Waiting, wife of Timothy Holderness-Roddam.

He was a grandson maternally of Charles Edward Harris-St John [1874-1953], by his wife the former Winifred Rose Dugdale [1891-1968], scion of that landed gentry family.

He married firstly in 1964, Elizabeth Allcock; married secondly, in 1981, Sarah Hickson [whose family bought Avington Park in 1951], daughter of Lt-Col John Hickson, MC, by his wife the former Audrey Mary Darrell-Huskinson [1918-99], and is survived by his second wife, and two daughters from his first marriage, Elizabeth Sarah [Lizzie] [born 1969], & Caroline Mary [born 1972].

Avington Park was mentioned in the 10th Century as Afintun, Avington originally belonged to the Cathedral of Winchester until King Henry VIII granted the estate to Edmund Clerke, who built the banqueting hall, now the Orangery.

In the mid C17th, Avington was owned by George Brydges, Groom of the Bedchamber to Charles II. He enlarged the house to accommodate the King and Nell Gwynne. The 3rd Duke of Chandos, a cousin, inherited the property and made many improvements, adding the leaded statues, fountain, redecorating and gilding the state rooms, as well as laying out the gardens and parkland, planting avenues and vistas.

His only child, married the Duke of Buckingham and Stowe, who became the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, inheriting Avington, and played host to King George IV and Mrs Fitzherbert.  The estate was sold in 1847 to Sir John Shelley, brother of the poet, and was sold to Lt. Col and Mrs Hickson in 1951, and is now in trust with their family. 

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