Sir Rickard Fredrik Knut von Friesendorff, 11th Baronet 1937-2023

Sir Rickard von Friesendorff, 11th baronet, died 21 November, 2023.

The von Friesendorff baronetcy, of Hirdech, Sweden, is a title in the Baronetage of England. On 4 October 1661, Johan von Friesendorff, Swedish ambassador to the Court of St James, was created a baronet by King Charles II. In 1665 he was appointed Riksfriherre by the Emperor Leopold. Although the baronetcy was considered to have become dormant in 1669 after the death of the 1st Baronet due to his descendants living in Sweden, use of the title was maintained by the family; the 11th Baronet, Rickard Fredrik Knut von Friesendorff, was admitted to the Official Roll of the Baronetage in 2018.

The 11th baronet was born in 1937, and succeeded his father Baron Sir Claes Fredrik Wilhelm von Friesendorff, 10th Baronet (1903-74), in 1974 though he did not establish his claim (after the baronetcy had long been dormant) until 2018.  He married 1stly, 1965 (div 1972) Siv Monica Eriksson, and married 2ndly, 1986, Eva Birgitta Neilru.  His son from his first marriage, Johan Fredrik von Friesendorff, succeeds as 12th Baronet. 

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Susan Elaine Beckwith-Smith (née Parkes) 1935-2023

 Susan Elaine Beckwith-Smith (née Parkes), who died 22 November, 2023, aged 88, was the widow of John Moore Beckwith-Smith (1929-2005), scion of that landed gentry family.

She was born Susan Elaine Parkes, 1 March, 1935, daughter of Sidney Edward Parkes, and married 30 September, 1954, John Moore Beckwith-Smith (born 30 June, 1929), son of Major-General Merton Beckwith-Smith, DSO, MC (1890-1942), &  his wife the former Honor Dorothy Blundell Leigh (1892-1982), a granddaughter maternally of the 1st Marquess of Abergavenny, &c.

By her husband, who died 29 April, 2005, she had issue, two sons, Rupert & John, and two daughters, Carolyn and Lucy. Her daughter Carolyn, who died 11 Oct, 1999, aged 43, was an Extra Lady-in-Waiting to Sarah Duchess of York, and wife of Henry Cotterell (now Sir Henry Cotterell, 7th Baronet).

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The Baroness Joffe (died 2023)

 The Baroness Joffe (née Pretorius), who died 6 November, 2023, aged 85, was the widow of the life peer the Baron Joffe, CBE (1932-2017).

She was the former Vanetta Linda Pretorius, daughter of Francois Pretorius, of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, and married in 1962, Joel Goodman Joffe, a South African lawyer, created a life peer in 2000, as Baron Joffe, of Liddington in the County of Wiltshire.

She was widowed, 18 June, 2017, and leaves issue.

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The Baron Darling of Roulanish, PC 1953-2023

The Baron Darling of Roulanish, PC, who died 30 November, 2023, aged 70, was, as Alistair Darling MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer in the administration of Gordon Brown 2007-2010.

He was Labour MP for Edinburgh South West until he stood down in 2015.

Darling was first appointed as Chief Secretary to the Treasury by Prime Minister Tony Blair in 1997, and was promoted to Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in 1998. After spending four years at that department, he spent a further four years as Secretary of State for Transport, while also becoming Secretary of State for Scotland in 2003. Blair moved Darling for a final time in 2006, making him President of the Board of Trade and Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, before new Prime Minister Gordon Brown promoted Darling to replace himself as Chancellor of the Exchequer in 2007, a position he remained in until 2010. He served as Chancellor during the financial crisis of 2007–2008 and the Great Recession.

Alistair Maclean Darling was born 28 Nov, 1953, son of Thomas Darling and his wife the former Anna Maclean, and was a great-nephew of Sir William Darling (1885-1962), the Unionist Member of Parliament for the Edinburgh South constituency from 1945 to 1957. 

 Lord Darling was twice married, and he leaves a widow, Margaret McQueen Vaughan, his wife since 1986, by whom he has a son and a daughter.

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Sir Ian Kenneth Munro of Foulis, 17th Baronet 1940-2023

 Sir Ian Munro of Foulis, 17th Baronet, died 22 November, 2023, aged 83.

He was born 4 April, 1940, son of Sir Kenneth Arnold William Munro of Foulis, 16th Baronet (1910-2004), & his wife the former Olive Freda Broome, and succeeded to the baronetcy (cr NS, 1634), on his father's death, 3 April, 2004. He was unmarried. The baronetcy now passes to his cousin, Godfrey Roland Munro, who was born 1 July, 1938.

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The Baron Selkirk of Douglas, PC 1942-2023

The Baron Selkirk of Douglas, PC, who died 28 November, 2023, aged 81, was the Conservative MP for Edinburgh West for 23 years, a Scottish Office minister under Margaret Thatcher and John Major, and finally a front-bench spokesman in the Scottish Parliament. He was the 11th Earl of Selkirk in the Peerage of Scotland, but disclaimed his hereditary peerage for life.

Lord James Alexander Douglas-Hamilton was born 31 July, 1942, the second son of the 14th Duke of Hamilton and 11th Duke of Brandon, KT, GCVO, PC (1903-1973), and his wife the former Lady Elizabeth Ivy Percy, OBE (1916-2008), daughter of the 8th Duke of Northumberland, KG, CBE, MVO (1880-1930).

He succeeded to the earldom of Selkirk on the death of his uncle, the 10th Earl, 24 Nov, 1994, but disclaimed his peerage for life, 28 Nov 1994, and successfully proved his claim, 14 March, 1996. He was sworn of the Privy Council in 1996.

Lord James was MP (Conservative) for Edinburgh West 1974-97; Assistant Government Whip 1977; a Lord of the Treasury 1979-81; Parliamentary Private Secretary to Foreign & Commonwealth Office Minister 1983-86 and to Secretary of State for Scotland 1986-87; Parliamentary Under-Secretary Home Affairs and Environment 1987-92 and Scottish Office (Education and Housing) 1992-95; Minister of State, Home Office and Scottish Office (Health) 1995-97; Privy Councillor 1996; as he was a sitting Member of Parliament when his uncle died, he disclaimed the Earldom of Selkirk on 28 Nov 1994 so as to continue to serve his constituents.  However, his first cousin, Alasdair Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton, 1st son of the late W/Cdr Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton OBE DFC MP, next younger brother of the 10th Earl of Selkirk, also claimed the Earldom, and it was not until 14 Mar 1996 that the Lyon Court, following the precedent set in the case of the 7th Earl of Selkirk, decided that Lord James Alexander Douglas-Hamilton was entitled to the dignity of Earl of Selkirk. On 29 Sep 1997 Lord James was created Baron Selkirk of Douglas, of Cramond in the City of Edinburgh (Life Peerage).

He married 24 August, 1974, the Hon (Priscilla) Susan Buchan, 1st daughter of the 2nd Baron Tweedsmuir, CBE, TD (1911-1996), and his wife the Baroness Tweedsmuir of Belhelvie (life peer) (she died 11 March, 1978); by whom he had issue, four sons, (1) (John) Andrew (born 1978), (2) the Hon Charles Douglas (born 1979), (3) the Hon James Robert (born 1981), and (4) the Hon Harry Alexander (born 1991). The Earldom of Selkirk now devolves upon his eldest son, John Andrew, styled Lord Daer and Shortcleuch (who was born 8 Feb, 1978).

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William Richard Inge Crewdson 1932-2023

 William Richard Inge Crewdson, who died 23 November, 2023, aged 91, was a scion of that landed gentry family.

He was born in 1932 son of Brigadier Henry Alastair Fergusson Crewdson (1897-1987), and his first wife the former Caroline Mary Inge (1905-1989), scion of that landed gentry family; and married in 1959, Geraldine Sarah Hayward, daughter of Gerald Hayward, MBE, of Athens, by whom he had issue, two sons, William (born 1960), and Philip (born 1962), and a daughter, Katharine (born 1962).

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Egerton/Littleboy engagement

 The engagement was announced 29 November, 2023, between Harry Christopher Egerton (born 10 August, 1984), scion of the Egerton landed family of Mountfield, son of Mark Philip Egerton (born 23 September, 1947), of North Yorkshire, and his wife the former Cara Marilyn Farnes, & Alice Polveir Littleboy (born 1990), scion of that landed family, daughter of Peregrine Aldan Eldon Littleboy (born 1961), of Cambridgeshire, and his former wife the former (Mary) Louise Benson (now Ferrand), of North Yorkshire.

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The Dowager Baroness Westbury, CBE 1924-2023

The Dowager Baroness Westbury, CBE, who has died aged 99, was a former Superintendent-in-chief of the St John's Ambulance Brigade, and widow of the 5th Baron Westbury, CBE, DL.

She was born Ursula Mary-Rose James, 6 May, 1924, scion of the Barons Northbourne, daughter of the Hon Robert James (1873-1960), and his second wife the former Lady Serena Mary Barbara Lumley (1901-2000), only child of the 10th Earl of Scarbrough, KG, GBE, KCB, TD (1857-1945); and she married 21 October, 1947, Capt the Hon David Alan Bethell, Scots Guards (born 16 July, 1922), ADC to HRH The Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (1900-74).

Her husband was the second son of the Hon Richard Bethell (1883-1929), and his wife the former Evelyn Lucia Millicent Hutton (1884-1956). David's father, a keen Egyptologist who was with Howard Carter at the opening of Tutankhamen's tomb in 1922. Those who believed in the "curse" which attended people who disturbed the tombs of the Pharaohs were interested to note that Richard Bethell died seven years later, and that three months after that his father - the 3rd Baron Westbury - also died suddenly. David's elder brother, Richard (born 9 Oct, 1914), succeeded as the fourth Baron Westbury, and died 26 June, 1961, when David succeeded to the peerage (created in 1861).

In 1990 Ursula (Lady Westbury from 1961), was appointed CBE for her work as superintendent-in-chief of the St John's Ambulance Brigade. The family home from 1952 was Knapton Hall, near Malton, North Yorkshire, where her husband was Master of Foxhounds. The 5th Baron Westbury was appointed public relations officer for Moet et Chandon in Britain, a job at which he excelled; no one seemed to mind that he referred to his boss as "Le Petit Grenouille". He also handled the PR for several London hotels - the Ritz, the Stafford and Dukes - for 10 years.

Lord Westbury was active in the House of Lords and was disappointed to be, as he put it, "ethnically cleansed" from the Upper House as a result of the reforms in 1999. But his main interest in later life was as a highly successful charity fund raiser. He helped to raise more than £10 million for various charities, among them St John Ambulance - for whom he was director of fund-raising - the Army Benevolent Fund, the Griffin Trust and Toynbee Hall. For this work he was appointed CBE in 1994.

She was widowed 12 Oct, 2001. Lady Westbury lraves issue, two sons, Maj Richard Nicholas Bethell, 6th Baron Westbury, MBE (born 29 May, 1950), and the Hon James David William Bethell (born 22 Feb, 1952), and a daughter, the Hon Celia Mary Holliday (born 5 March, 1955).

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Aria Evelyn Knatchbull Cooke (born 2023)

 Kelly Louise Doreen Cooke (nee Knatchbull), wife of Alexander Leon Geldard Cooke (born at Leeds, West Yorkshire, circa Dec. 1984), gave birth to a daughter, Aria Evelyn Knatchbull Cooke, circa November, 2023.

Alexander is a son of Stephen N. Cooke and his wife the former Dianne Dixon.

Kelly [born 30 March, 1988], is a scion of the Earls Mountbatten of Burma, the daughter of the Hon Michael-John Ulick Knatchbull [born 24 May, 1950], and his first wife the former Melissa Clare Owen [born 12 November, 1960], daughter of His Honour Sir John Owen [1925-2010].

Kelly Knatchbull, named in honour of her great-grandfather's ship, HMS Kelly, is a goddaughter of HRH The Princess Royal, and is is the granddaughter of the late [2nd] Countess Mountbatten of Burma [1924-2017], and the 7th Baron Brabourne [1924-2005]. Kelly's father is a second cousin of HM The King.

See: Royal Musings (royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com)

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Lady Arbuthnot 1919-2023

 Lady Arbuthnot, who died 13 November, 2023, aged 104, was the widow of Sir John Arbuthnot, 1st Baronet.

The former Margaret Jean Duff was born 29 September, 1919, scion of that landed gentry family, daughter of Alexander Gordon Duff (1884-1978), and his wife the former Janet Macfie Blaikie (1879-1972); and married 3 July, 1943, Maj John Sinclair-Wemyss Arbuthnot, MBE, TD (born 11 Feb, 1912), Conservative MP for Dover 1950-64,  and Parliamentary Private Secretary for the Minister of Pensions from 1952 to 1955 and for the Minister of Health from 1956 to 1957, a member of the Public Accounts Committee from 1955 to 1964. He also served as Second Church Estates Commissioner, the spokesman for the Church of England in the House of Commons, and as a Deputy Speaker. Arbuthnot was created a baronet in 1964 (one of the last to be created), and he died 13 June, 1992.

Lady Arbuthnot was the mother of two sons, Sir William, 2nd Bt (1950-2021), and James, Baron Arbuthnot of Edrom (life peer, former Conservative politician) (born 4 Aug, 1952), and three daughters, Elizabeth (born 1947), Louise (born 1954), and Alison (born 1957).

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The 8th Earl Castle Stewart 1928-2023

 The 8th Earl Castle Stewart died 21 November, 2023, aged 95.

Arthur Patrick Avondale Stewart was the 8th Earl in the Peerage of Ireland (created in 1800), also Viscount Stuart (1793), Baron (1619), and a baronet (created 1628). The Old Etonian was commissioned into the Scots Guards in 1949. His home was Stuart Hall, Stewartstown, County Tyrone.

He was born 18 August, 1928, the third son of the 7th Earl Castle Stewart, MC (1889-1961), and his wife the former Eleanor May Guggenheim (died 1992), daughter of Solomon Robert Guggenheim (1861-1949), of Trillora Court, Port Washington, Long Island, USA, the wealthy businessman and art collector, best known for establishing the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City. 

The 8th Earl's elder brothers were David, Viscount Stuart, killed in action in Egypt in 1942 aged 21, and Robert, also styled Viscount Stuart, who died in Italy in 1944, aged 20, from wounds received in action.

Arthur Stuart was styled Viscount Stuart from 1944 until his father's death, 5 November, 1961, when he succeeded to the earldom.

The 8th Earl was twice married, firstly, 20 Dec, 1952, to Edna Fowler (born circa 1920, died 5 July, 2003), daughter of William Edward Fowler, of Harborne, Birmingham, by whom he had one son and one daughter; married 2ndly, 10 Nov, 2004, as her third husband, Mrs Gillian Fitzwilliams (nee Savill, born 16 Aug, 1938).

Lord Castle Stewart leaves a son, Andrew Richard Charles Stewart, styled Viscount Stuart (born 7 Oct, 1953), who now succeeds as 9th Earl Castle Stewart, and a daughter, Lady Bridget Wadey (born 12 Feb, 1957).

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Judd/Henderson engagement

 The engagement was announced 25 November, 2023, between George William Judd (born 2 January, 1994), younger son of (George) Nicholas Judd (born 1964), of Kersey, Suffolk, and his wife the former Philippa Fiona Wilmoth (born 1967), & Atalanta Mary Rose Henderson (born 5 July, 1994), scion of the Barons Faringdon, eldest daughter of James Brodie Henderson (born 30 Dec, 1964), of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and his former wife the former Alexandra Fisher (born 1965), of Wandsworth, London.

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Major General Thomas Anthony Boam, CB, CBE 1932-2023

Major General Thomas Anthony Boam, CB, CBE, died 20 November, 2023, aged 91.

He was born 14 February, 1932, son of Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Sydney Boam, OBE (1905-1979), of Tadworth, Surrey, of the Royal Leicesteshire Regiment, and his wife the former Nancy Mabel Philips (1906-1986); and married 18 March, 1961, Penelope Christine Mary Roberts (1937-2016), daughter of Cyril Alfred Roberts (1908-1988), and his wife the former Christine  Annabel Kitson (1908-1996), a granddaughter of the 1st Baron Airedale (1835-1911); by whom he had issue, a son, Thomas (born 15 June, 1964), and two daughters, Caroline (born 20 May, 1962), and Katharine (born 19 June, 1968).

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Hon Michael Charles Johnston 1942-2023

 The Hon Michael Charles Johnston, who died 16 November, 2023, aged 81, was a son of the life peer the Baron Johnston of Rockport (1915-2002) and his 1st wife the former Audrey Boyes Monk (who died 1999); and married in 1972, Victoria Moreton White (who died in 2018), by whom he had two sons, Nicholas and Benjamin.

His father Charles Johnston was a Conservative politician and businessman.

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Hon Richard Thomas Godber, MBE, DL 1938-2023

The Hon Richard Thomas Godber, who died 18 November, 2023, aged 85, was a son of the life peer the Baron Godber of Willington, PC (1914-1980), and his wife the former Miriam Sanders (1910-1996).

He married 1962, Candida Mary Parrish, by whom he had a son, James, and two daughters, Amanda and Victoria.

 His father, Joseph Godber, was the Member of Parliament for Grantham from 1951 to 1979 and held ministerial posts in the governments of Harold Macmillan, Sir Alec Douglas-Home, and Edward Heath.

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Baroness Russell of Killowen 1929-2023

 The Baroness Russell of Killowen, who died 16 November, 2023, aged 94, was the second wife and widow of the life peer the Baron Russell of Killowen, PC (1908-1986).

She was the former Elizabeth Cecilia Macneece Foster, daughter of Air-Vijce Marshal William Macneece Foster, CB, CBE, DSO, DFC (1889-1978), and his wife the former Jean Bruce (1905-1982), a descendant of the Viscounts later Earls of Stair; and married 1stly, 1952, Edward Hay Laughton-Scott (1926-1978); and married 2ndly, 1979, as his second wife, the Lord Russell of Killowen, PC (born 12 January, 1908), son of Francis Xavier Joseph Russell, also a life peer as Baron Russell of Killowen, PC (1867-1946), a Lord Justice of Appeal, and his wife the Hon Mary Emily Ritchie (1870-1956), daughter of the 1st Baron Ritchie of Dundee (1838-1906), &c. Her husband, a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, from 1975 to 1982, died 23 June, 1986.

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The Baron Walker of Gestingthorpe, GBS, PC 1938-2023

 Lord Walker of Gestingthorpe, GBS, PC, who died 16 November, 2023, aged 85, was a former judge and justice of the Supreme Court.

Robert Walker was born 17 March, 1938. The barrister was appointed  a High Court Judge in the Chancery Division in 1994, and as is customary was then made a Knight Bachelor, before appointment as a Lord Justice of Appeal in 1997. He succeeded Lord Slynn of Hadley GBE as a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary in 2002 and was created a Life Peer as Baron Walker of Gestingthorpe, of Gestingthorpe in the County of Essex. He and nine other Lords of Appeal in Ordinary became Justices of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom upon its inauguration on 1 October 2009. He sat as a crossbench peer in the Lords until his retirement from the upper house in 2021.

He served as a Non-Permanent Judge of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal between 2009 and 2023.

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Furness/Nazarian engagement

 The engagement was announced 23 November, 2023, between Christopher John W. Furness (born 1990), scion of the Furness baronets,  son of John Wilson Furness (born 7 October, 1952), of Kirby Knowle, North Yorkshire, and his wife the former Grania Patricia Jane Booth (born 11 March, 1956), scion of that landed gentry family, & Stefeni J. Nazarian, daughter of Mr and Mrs Edmond Nazarian, of Hampstead, London.

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Lorne Robin Stormonth Darling 1963-2023

 Lorne Robin Stormonth Darling, who died 16 November, 2023, aged 60, was a scion of that Scottish landed gentry family, who married the actress Honeysuckle Weeks.

He was born 21 July, 1963, the second son of Robin Andrew Stormonth Darling (1926-2009), and the first of his three wives, Susan Marion Clifford-Turner (1937-2020); and married 14 July, 2007, Honeysuckle Hero Susan Weeks, (born 1 Aug, 1979), the actress, daughter of Robin Loring Weeks (born 1957), and his wife the former Susan Eileen Wade (born 1957); by whom he had issue, a son, Wade Mycroft (who was born 9 Aug, 2011).

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Sir (David) Watkin Williams-Wynn, 11th Baronet 1940-2023

 Sir (David) Watkin Williams-Wynn, 11th Baronet, DL, died 18 November, 2023. He was 83.

Sir Watkin, Old Etonian army officer, was a former deputy lieutenant and High Sheriff of Clwyd. He served as a Lieutenant, Royal Dragoons 1958-63; , a Major Queen's Own Yeomanry 1970-77; DL (1970), and High Sheriff (1990). 

He was born 18 February, 1940, son of Lieutenant-Col Sir Owen Watkin Williams-Wynn, 10th Baronet, CBE (1904-1988), and his wife the former Margaret Jean Macbean (who died 1961), & he succeeded to the baronetcy (cr 1688, of Gray's Inn), on his father's death, 1988.

He was twice wed, firstly, 26 Oct, 1968 (div.1981), Harriet Veryan Elspeth Tailyour, daughter of General Sir Norman Tailyour, KCB, DSO (1914-1979), & his first wife the former Priscilla June Southby (1916-1971); and married 2ndly, 26 September, 1983 (div 1998), as her second husband, Mrs Victoria Jane Dillon, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Ian Dudley De'ath, DSO, MBE (1918-1960).

From his first marriage he leaves issue, two sons, Charles (born 1970),  and Robert (born 1977), and twin daughters, Alexandra and Lucinda (born 1972), and from his second marriage, he leaves two twin sons, Nicholas and Harry (born 1988). The eldest son, Charles Edward Watkin (born 16 September, 1970), now succeeds as 12th baronet.

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Lady Penn, LVO 1926-2023

 Lady Penn, LVO, who died 20 November, 2023, aged 97, was a former Woman of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, a life long friend of Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret, and a godmother of Lady Sarah Chatto.

She was born in Australia as Prudence Hilary Wilson, but always known as Prue, 12 January, 1926, daughter of Aubyn Harold Raymond Wilson (who died in 1934), and his wife Muriel Athelstan Hood Stewart-Stevens, 10th Lady of Balnakeilly, Perthshire (1899-1982). Prue's mother Muriel succeeded to the Balnakeilly estate for her lifetime in 1936 with remainder to her elder son under the will of her uncle Major Alexander Blair Stewart, 9th of Balnakeilly, and as a provision of the will assumed together with her husband and issue the additional surname of Stewart by Deed Poll 1937. 

Prue had two brothers, Colonel Ralph Stewart-Wilson, MC, 11th of Balnakeilly (1923-2015), and Lieutenant Colonel Sir Blair Stewart-Wilson (1929-2011), Deputy Master of the Household to the Queen. By her mother’s second marriage, she acquired a step-brother, the fashionable newspaper and magazine man, Sir Jocelyn Stevens (1932-2014). Prue had another relation - Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Wilson (1865-1914), who, when he was at Eton in 1882, leapt on a man who was threatening to shoot Queen Victoria as she got into her coach at Windsor Station en route for the Castle. Queen Victoria sent for him the next day to thank him and asked what she could do for him. He said he wanted to join the Household Cavalry after leaving school. She arranged it, and he ended up commanding the Blues.

Prue Stewart-Wilson was married in London, 27 January, 1947, and in the presence of the then Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret, to Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Eric Charles William Mackenzie Penn, GCVO (1916-1993), posthumous son of Capt Eric Frank Penn (who was killed in action in 1915), and his wife the former Gladys Ebden. The Penns served the sovereign for 65 years. Sir Eric Penn’s uncle Sir Arthur Penn, GCVO (1886-1960), had been a groom-in-waiting to King George VI on his accession in 1936 and then private secretary and treasurer to Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother; Eric Penn joined the Lord Chamberlain’s Office in 1960. Their son David (born 1949) was a page of honour to Queen Elizabeth II, as was Prue's grandson, Rory Penn (born 1980). Lady Penn became a lady-in-waiting (officially a Woman of the Bedchamber) to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in 1994 and served until HM's death in 2002. Eric Penn had been adopted and raised by his bachelor uncle, Sir Arthur Penn, who was so close in the affections of the Queen Mother that in the late 1950s Clarence House had to issue a statement to the effect that rumours of a marriage between the two were false.

The Penns set up home at Sternfield House, Saxmundham, Suffolk, and when in London, home was an apartment at St James’s Palace. In 1964 Prue was one of the godmothers to Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones, daughter of Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon, when she was christened in the private chapel of Buckingham Palace.

In 1960, Eric Penn joined the Royal Household as Assistant Comptroller of the Lord Chamberlain’s Office under Sir Norman Gwatkin. He was Comptroller from 1964 until he retired in 1981, and those were the days when the people in the Lord Chamberlain’s Office paid meticulous attention to small details and got them right. They could also be forbidding and austere to outsiders.

Sir Eric Penn died 12 May, 1993, aged 77, and his widow joined the Queen Mother's household in the following year. Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh sometimes stayed the weekend in Suffolk. The Queen, Prince Philip, the Princess Royal and Princess Alexandra attended her 90th birthday party at Bellamy’s in 2016. She remained close to the Queen, even talking to her on the telephone 10 days before the monarch died.

She was appointed LVO in the 2002 demise honours list. Lady Penn is survived by her two sons, David and Christopher, and a daughter, Fiona Wemyss (born 1956).

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The 7th Earl Grey 1940-2023

 The 7th Earl Grey (Peerage of the UK, cr 1806), died 5 November, 2023. He was 83.

Philip Kent Grey was born 11 May, 1940, the second son of Albert Henry George Campbell Grey (1912-1942), and his wife the former Vera Helen Louise Harding (who died 16 Nov, 1964).

He was descended from Charles, 2nd Earl Grey, KG, PC (1764-1845), who was First Lord of the Treasury (Prime Minister) 1830-1834.

On 2 Apr, 1963, his elder brother, Richard (born 5 March, 1939), succeeded their second cousin as the 6th Earl Grey, and he died childless, 10 September, 2013, when Philip succeeded as 7th Earl Grey (Peerage of the UK, cr 1806), Viscount Howick (Peerage of the UK, cr 1806), the Barony of Grey of Howick (Peerage of the UK, cr 1801), and the Baronetcy "of Howick" (cr GB, 1746).

The 7th Earl married 23 March, 1968, Ann Catherine Applegate, second daughter of Cecil Applegate, of South Milton, co Devon, by whom he had a son, Alexander Edward Grey, styled Viscount Howick (born 20 Dec, 1968), and a daughter, Lady Vanessa Catherine Grey (born 1975).

His only son succeeds to the three peerages and baronetcy.

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Sir Peter Francis Smith-Marriott, 12th Baronet 1927-2023

Sir Peter Smith-Marriott, 12th Baronet, died 8 November, 2023, aged 96.

Peter Francis Smith-Marriott was born 14 February, 1927, the second son of Sir Ralph George Cavendish Smith-Marriott, 10th Baronet (1900-1987), and his wife the former Phyllis Elizabeth Kemp (who died 24 September, 1932); and succeeded to the baronetcy on the death of his elder brother, Sir Hugh, 11th Bt, 19 July, 2013.

He married 28 October, 1961, Jean Graham Martin Ritchie (who died 22 March, 2022, aged 87), daughter of James Sorley Ritchie, of Harare, Zimbabwe, by whom he had issue, five sons, Martin, Neil, Ian, Mark and Paul. The eldest son, Martin Ralph Smith-Marriott (born 30 December, 1962), succeeds as 13th holder of the baronetcy created in 1774.

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The Baroness Burden 1930-2023

 Lady Burden, who died 8 November, 2023, was the wife of the late Lord Burden, the 2nd Baron (1916-1995).

 Yorkshire-born Lady Burden was born Audrey Elswworth Sykes, a daughter of Major Wilfred Elsworth Sykes, of Kirk Ella, near Hull; and married 8 September, 1951, the then Hon Philip William Burden (born 21 June, 1916), son of Thomas William Burden, 1st Baron Burden, CBE (1885-1970), who was raised to the peerage of the UK, 1 Feb, 1950, by his wife the former Augusta Sime (who died 1976). Her husband succeeded his father in the peerage, 27 May, 1970, and died in 1995.

Lady Burden leaves three sons and three daughters. Her eldest son is Andrew, the 3rd Baron Burden (born 20 July, 1959).

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Hon Pauline Maud Matarasso 1929-2023

 The Hon Pauline Maud Matarasso, who died 15 November, 2023, aged 94, was a scion of the Barons Sanderson of Ayot.

She was born 12 February, 1929, daughter of the 1st Baron Sanderson of Ayot (1894-1971), and his wife the former Evelyn Constance Ismay (1897-1940); and married 24 July, 1952, Robert Henri Matarasso (who died in 1982), son of Dr I. Matarasso, of Athens, by whom she had issue, three sons, Pascale (b 1955), Antoine (b 1957), Francois (b 1958), and a daughter, Véronique (b 1964).

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Jane, Lady Barran 1940-2023

 Jane, Lady Barran, who died 24 October, 2023, aged 83, was the widow of Sir John Napoleon Ruthven Barran, 4th Baronet.

She was born Jane Margaret Hooker, 22 February, 1940, daughter of Sir Stanley George Hooker, CBE, FRS (1907-1984), the mathematician and jet engineer, and his first wife the Hon Margaret Bradbury (1911-1986), daughter of the 1st Baron Bradbury, GCB (1872-1950), the economist.

She married 7 September, 1965, John Napoleon Ruthven Barran (born 14 February, 1934), son and heir of Commander Sir John Leighton Barron, 3rd Baronet (1904-1974), and his wife the Hon Alison Mary Hore-Ruthven (1902-1974), third daughter of Major-General the 10th Lord Ruthven of Freeland, CB, CMG, DSO (1870-1956). Her husband succeeded his father, 28 December, 1974, as fourth baronet, of Chapel Allerton Hall, Co York, and died 25 March, 2010.

Lady Barran leaves a son, Sir John Ruthven Barran, 5th Baronet (born 10 Nov, 1971), and a daughter, Susannah Margaret (born 22 Apr, 1981).

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Haig/Baker engagement

The engagement was announced 18 November, 2023, between Christopher Edward (Kit) Haig (born 18 September, 1993), scion of that landed gentry family, son of Hugo Peter Haig (born 8 May, 1962), of Ashmansworth, Hampshire, and his wife the former Janey Fiona Maitland (born 25 April, 1963),  scion of the Maitland baronets, & Paris Caroline S. Baker (born 1994), younger daughter of Clive Baker, of Boxworth, Cambridgeshire, and Mrs Baker (nee Naumann).

Kit Haig is a grandson maternally of Sir Alexander Keith Maitland, 8th Baronet (1920-1963).

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Harries/Brunet engagement

 The engagement was announced 18 Nov 2023, between Luke Richard Harries (born 21 July, 1996), eldest son of the Hon Mark Harries (born 1966), of London, and his wife the former Priscilla Ann Hutchings (born 1965), and Capucine J.C. Brunet, youngest daughter of Gilbert and Suzanne Brunet of Paris.

Luke Harries is a grandson of Richard Douglas Harries, Baron Harries of Pentregarth, FRSL, FLSW (born 2 June 1936) is a retired bishop of the Church of England and former British Army officer. He was the Bishop of Oxford from 1987 to 2006. From 2008 until 2012 he was the Gresham Professor of Divinity.

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Lubbock/Gloyne engagement

The engagement was announced 18 November, 2023, between Oliver Guy Lubbock (born 1990), scion of the Barons Avebury, son of Paul Nigel Lubbock (born 27 Apr, 1960), of London, and his wife the former Lucinda Simms, & Emma E. Gloyne (born 1992), daughter of Peter Andrew Gloyne (born 1956), of Sevenoaks, and Mrs Gloyne (nee Stephens).

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Vanessa Mary Corbally Stourton 1935-2023

 Vanessa Mary Corbally Stourton, who died 29 September, 2023, aged 88, was a scion of the Barons Mowbray, Segrave & Stourton; born 13 May, 1935, daughter of the Hon Edward Plantagenet Joseph Corbally Stourton (1880-1966), and his wife the former Beatrice Cicely Page (who died 1 July, 2004); Unm.

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David Cameron’s peerage gazetted

  The life barony awarded to David Cameron, the foreign secretary, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Cameron of Chipping Norton, of Chipping Norton in the County of Oxfordshire.

 The Rt Hon David William Donald Cameron (born 9 October, 1966), PC, former prime minister, a descendant of King Willian IV and Mrs Jordan, will join the cabinet from the House of Lords with a life peerage.

A scion of the Scots landed family of the name Cameron, he is a grandson maternally of Sir William Mount, 2nd Baronet (1904-93).

Cameron married 1 June, 1996, Samantha Gwendoline Sheffield (born 18 Apr, 1971), scion of the Sheffield baronets, daughter of Sir Reginald Sheffield, 8th Baronet (born 9 May, 1946), by his wife the former Annabel Jones (born 14 Aug, 1948) (later Viscountess Astor).

He previously served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2010 to 2016 and as Leader of the Conservative Party from 2005 to 2016. He served as Leader of the Opposition from 2005 to 2010, and was Member of Parliament (MP) for Witney from 2001 to 2016. 

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Margaret Jardine Paterson 1951-2023

Margaret (Peggy) Jardine Paterson, who died 11 November, 2023, aged 72, was a scion of the that landed gentry family of Balgray; born 29 August, 1951, daughter of Major Robert Noel Jardine Paterson (1916-1995), and his wife the former Margaret Jane Elizabeth Buchanan (who died 2008). Unm.

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Sir Frank Lindon Sanderson, 3rd Baronet, OBE 1933-2023

Sir Frank Sanderson, 3rd Baronet, OBE, died 9 November, 2023. He was 89.

Sir Frank, of Burwash, East Sussex, served in the RNVR 1950-65; with J.H. Minet & Co Ltd 1956-93 (Director 1985); Director, Knott Hotels Co of London, 1965-75; Director and Chairman Humber Fertilisers, plc 1972-88; Underwriting Member of Lloyd's 1957-88; Member of Chichester Diocese Synod 1980-93; Master, Worshipful Company of Curriers 1993-94; &c.

He was born 21 November, 1933, son of Sir Frank Philip Bryan Sanderson, 2nd Baronet (1910-1992), and his wife the former Annette Irene Caroline Korab-Laskowski (1908-1967), and succeeded to the baronetcy (UK, 1920), upon his father's death, 4 Dec, 1992.

He married 4 April, 1961, Margaret Ann Maxwell, daughter of John Cleveland Mawell, of New York, by whom he had issue, two sons, David and Michael, and three daughters, Caroline, Nina and Catherine.

Sir Frank is succeeded by his elder son, David Frank Sanderson (born 26 Feb, 1962).

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Joanna K.H. Newton (nee Holland) 1926-2023

 Joanna Newton, who died 13th November, 2023, aged 97, was descended from the Houssemayne Du Boulay landed gentry family, and was the maternal grandmother of Jack Brooksbank, husband of Princess Eugenie.

She was born in Chelsea in 1926, daughter of Godfrey Holland (1872-1966), and his wife the former Violet Houssemayne Du Boulay (1892-1979), scion of that landed gentry family, and married at Horsham, Sussex, in 1949, Michael Anthony Fendall Newton (1923-2006), son of Giles Fendall Newton, MBE (1891-1974), and his wife the former Mary Cicely Meyrick (1899-1972), scion of the Meyrick baronets, by whom she had issue, a son, Christopher Meyrick Fendall, and two daughters, Jenny (b ), and Nicola (born 1953).

Nicola Newton married in 1985, George Edward Hugh Brooksbank (1949-2021), scion of the Brooksbank baronets, by whom she has issue, Jack (born 3 May, 1986), and Thomas (born 1988).

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James Thomas Murray Prain (born 2023)

 Henrietta E.C. Murray Prain (née Clemett), wife of Alastair James (born 1972), scion of that landed gentry family, gave birth to a son, James Thomas Murray Prain, 27 October, 2023, a half-brother for Isabelle.

Alastair is a son of David Eustace Gurney Prain (1937-2023), and his wife the former Diana Elizabeth Lentaigne (born 1940).

Alastair married firstly, 29 May, 2004, Adelaide, daughter of Comte Herve de Chatellus, of Paris, by whom he has a daughter, Isabelle (born 2012).

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The Baron Rowe-Beddoe 1937-2023

 Lord Rowe-Beddoe, DL, who died 15 November, 2023, aged 85, was a Welsh businessman, life Baron and a crossbench member of the House of Lords.

David Sydney Rowe-Beddoe (born 19 Dec, 1937), and was a former chairman of the Welsh Development Agency, and was chairman of Cardiff Airport until November 2016. In 2006 he was created a life peer as Baron Rowe-Beddoe, of Kilgetty in the County of Dyfed.

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The Baron Cotter 1936-2023

 Lord Cotter, a life peer, and a Liberal Democrat politician, died 14 November, 2023. He was 87.

Brian Joseph Michael Cotter was born 24 Aug, 1936, and served as the Lib Dem MP for Weston-super-Mare, 1997-2005.

Elected to the Commons in 1997, Brian Cotter was the first Member of Parliament for Weston-super-Mare to not be from the Conservative Party since 1923. He had contested the same seat in 1992 without success. He was re-elected in 2001, but lost the seat at the 2005 general election. Throughout his time in Parliament, he served as Small Business Spokesman for the Liberal Democrats. In April 2006, it was announced that Cotter would be raised to the peerage and was gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Cotter, of Congresbury in the County of Somerset. He sat as a Liberal Democrat peer in the House of Lords.

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George Grainger Weston 1923-2023

Grainger Weston, who has died a month before his 100th birthday, was the heir to an Anglo-Canadian bakery empire but chose a different life as a Texas rancher, entrepreneur and philanthropist in his own right.

(George) Grainger Weston was born in 1923, son of Willard Garfield Weston (1898-1978), of Chester House, Clarendon Place, London W1, and Toronto, and his wife the former Reta Lila Howard (who died in 1967).

The Weston family is a prominent family of entrepreneurs that was founded in Canada and eventually developed global business interests, primarily in the food and retail sectors. The family operations began with the purchase of a bakery in 1884 by American-born Canadian George Weston in Toronto, Ontario. Over the course of subsequent decades, his descendants also established themselves in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the United States.

Grainger Weston married 15 February, 1950 (div. 1987), the Hon Caroline Cecily Douglas-Scott-Montagu (1925-2017), daughter of the 2nd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu, KCIE, CSI, JP, DL (1866-1929), of Palace House, Beaulieu, Hampshire, and his second wife the former Alice Pearl Crake (1895-1996), by whom he had issue, four sons, Galvin, Gregg, Glenn and Graham, and a daughter, Sarah.

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Jane Charlotte Georgiana Brayshaw (née Douglas) 1950-2023

 Jane Charlotte Georgiana Brayshaw (née Douglas), who died 3 November, 2023, aged 73, was a scion of the Earls of Morton. 

She was born 22 February, 1950, second daughter of Ian FitzRoy Sholto Douglas (1916-1998), and his wife the former Heath Joan Maclean (1926-1985), scion of that Scots landed gentry family; and married in 2000, Major Clive Reginald Brayshaw, MBE (1943-2022), son of Laurence William Brayshaw (1917-1991) and his wife the former Maisie Sara Shackell (1916-2005). No issue.

Sholto Douglas, 19th Earl of Morton > Hon William Sholto Douglas > Ian FitzRoy Sholto Douglas > Jane Charlotte Georgiana Douglas (d 2023)

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David Cameron appointed foreign secretary and raised to the peerage

 David Cameron has been appointed as foreign secretary in Rishi Sunak's cabinet re-shuffle, replacing James Cleverly.

 The Rt Hon David William Donald Cameron (born 9 October, 1966), PC, former prime minister, a descendant of King Willian IV and Mrs Jordan, will join the cabinet from the House of Lords with a life peerage.

A scion of the Scots landed family of the name Cameron, he is a grandson maternally of Sir William Mount, 2nd Baronet (1904-93).

Cameron married 1 June, 1996, Samantha Gwendoline Sheffield (born 18 Apr, 1971), scion of the Sheffield baronets, daughter of Sir Reginald Sheffield, 8th Baronet (born 9 May, 1946), by his wife the former Annabel Jones (born 14 Aug, 1948) (later Viscountess Astor).

He previously served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2010 to 2016 and as Leader of the Conservative Party from 2005 to 2016. He served as Leader of the Opposition from 2005 to 2010, and was Member of Parliament (MP) for Witney from 2001 to 2016. 

His peerage has yet to be gazetted. Can I possibly make a guess at Lord Cameron of Witney?

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Major Richard William Naesmyth, 16th of Posso 1938-2023

Major Richard William Naesmyth, 16th of Posso, head of that Scots landed gentry family, died 7 November, 2023, aged 84.

Maj Naesmyth of Posso, of Devizes, Wiltshire, served as an officer in the Royal Artillery, and was seconded to the Zambian army, 1965-67.

He was born 19 December, 1938, son of the Rev George Cresswell Naesmyth 15th of Posso (1895-1983), of The Parsonage, Southwick, Fareham, Hampshire, and his wife the former Christabel Sara Slatter (1902-1992); and succeeded his father as head of that Scottish clan, 1983; and married 1980, Xenia Angela Mary Henderson-Howat, daughter of the Very Rev Rudolph Henderson-Howat (1896-1957), and his wife the former Agatha Mary Dorothea Cooke (1905-1990), by whom he had issue, a son, Alexander, and a daughter, Charlotte. The son, Alexander Cresswell Benedict (born 3 Apr, 1983), succeeds as 17th of Posso.

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Hon Patricia Catherine Nesbitt (nee Bethell) 1933-2023

 The Hon Patricia Nesbitt, who died 5 November, 2023, aged 90, was a scion of the Barons Bethell, a daughter of the 2nd Baron.

Patricia Catherine Bethell was born 20 May, 1933, the second daughter of the 2nd Baron Bethell (1902-1965), and his first wife the former Veronica Eileen Connolly (1901-1981); and married 19 Aug, 1956, Michael William Nesbitt, DFC (1923-2006), by whom she had issue, a son, William Patrick (born 15 Dec, 1963), and two daughters, Anna Catherine (born 12 May, 1957), and Caroline Mary (born 20 Aug, 1959).

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Tassilo Leo William Steel (born 2023)

 Eleonora Gräfin Henckel von Donnersmark (born 1 May, 1984), wife of Harry W. Steel, gave birth to a son, Tassilo Leo William, 30 September, 2023.

Harry is a son of Mr and Mrs Peter Steel, of Compton Valence, Dorset.

Gräfin Eleonora Julie Gunilla Alexandra Louise Henckel von Donnersmarck is a daughter of Dr Graf Guido Kraft Evald Henrik Karl Erdmann Henckel von Donnersmarck (born 22 October, 1947), of Rottach-Egern, Bavaria, Germany, and his wife the former Solveig Samzelius (born 15 Aug, 1948).

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The Hon Adele Bevyl Alers Anggard 1933-2023

 The Hon Adele Anggard (née Alers Hankey), who died at Stockholm, 3 November, 2023, aged 90, was a scion of the Barons Hankey.

Adele Bevyl Alers Hankey was born 31 July, 1933, second daughter of the 2nd Baron Hankey, KCMG, KCVO (1905-1996), sometime British Ambassador to Sweden, and his wife the former Frances Bevyl Stuart-Menteth (1907-1957), scion of the Stuart-Menteth baronets; and she married 15 May, 1964 (div 1987), Dr Erik Emil Anggard, of Sweden, son of Dr. Gösta Anggard, of Stockholm, by whom she had issue, a son, John Mikael (born 22 Mar, 1967), and two daughters, Eola Anni (born 11 Sept, 1965), and Irene Malin Adele (born 2 Nov, 1970).

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Lachlan Alexander Arthington Worsley (born 2023)

 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 son, Lachlan Alexander Arthington, 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 nephew of HRH The Duchess of Kent, GCVO.

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Stopford Sackville/Pops engagement

The engagement was announced 11 November, 2023, between Luke Mordaunt Stopford Sackville (born 3 June, 1993), scion of the Earls of Courtown, only son of Charles Lionel Stopford Sackville (born 14 February, 1961), of Lowick, Northamptonshire, and his former wife the former Shona McKinney (born 6 Apr, 1960 - now Mrs Shona Wilkinson, of Battersea, London), & Miss Anna L. Pops, only daughter of Mr and Mrs Richard Pops, of Wellesley, Massachusetts, United States.

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Marigold Loveday Lightbody Leigh-Pemberton (born 2023)

 Rosa Laura L. Leigh-Pemberton (née Goodman), wife of Robert Eustace Walter Leigh-Pemberton [born 1991], scion of that landed gentry family, gave birth to a daughter, Marigold Loveday Lightbody, 4 November, 2023.

Rosa is a daughter of Professor Robert Goodman, of Dulwich Village, and his wife the former Susan N. Lightbody. Robert is the second son of the Hon John David Leigh-Pemberton [born 16 March, 1955], of Frinsted, Kent, and his wife the former Kathryn Felice Lampard, and is a grandson paternally of the life peer the Baron Kingsdown, KG, JP, PC [1927-2013], who as Sir Robin Leigh-Pemberton was Governor of the Bank of England 1983-1993.

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Rachel, Lady Pauncefort-Duncombe, CStJ 1930-2023

 Rachel, Lady Pauncefort-Duncombe, CStJ, who died 2 November, 2023, aged 93, was widow of Major Sir Philip Pauncefort-Duncombe, 4th Baronet.

The former Rachel Moyra Aylmer, scion of the Barons Aylmer, she was born 29 January, 1930, the second daughter of (Henry) Gerald Aylmer (1896-1978), and his wife the former Nancy Hollick (1902-1991); and married 4 April, 1951, Major Philip Digby Pauncefort-Duncombe (born 18 May, 1927), son and heir of Sir Everard Philip Digby Pauncefort-Duncombe, 3rd Baronet (1885-1971), and his wife the former Evelyn Elvira Denny (1896-1986), scion of that landed gentry family. Her husband succeeded his father, 8 Dec, 1971, as fourth baronet (created UK, 1859). He was a former High Sheriff and Deputy Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, and Harbinger Gentleman at Arms 1993-97. He died 22 Dec, 2011, aged 84.

Lady Pauncefort-Duncombe leaves issue, a son Sir David Philip Henry Pauncefort-Duncombe, 5th Baronet (born 21 May, 1956), and two daughters, Diana (born 2 Aug, 1953), and Charlotte (born 8 Aug, 1967).

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Pearson/Stanley engagement

 The engagement was announced 10 November, 2023, between George John O'Neill Pearson (born 1989), son of Christopher Rait O'Neill Pearson (born 9 May, 1947), of Sturminster Newton, Dorset, and his wife the former Sally N. Groom, & Arabella Anne Stanley (born 1989), scion of the Barons Stanley of Alderley, and descended from the Marquesses of Bath, eldest daughter of Oliver Hugh Stanley (born 30 June, 1959), of Beaulieu, Hampshire, and his wife the former Sophie Elizabeth Holmes.

Thomas Thynne, 5th Marquess of Bath (1862-1946) > Lady Alice Thynne (1891-1977) > Hon Richard Stanley (1931-2015) > Oliver Hugh Stanley (b 1959) > Arabella Stanley (b 1989)

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Lady Linda Muir 1944-2023

 Lady Linda Mar Muir (nee Cole), who died 3 November, 2023, aged 79, was the wife of Sir Richard Muir, 4th Baronet, and a scion of the Earls of Enniskillen.

She was born 26 March, 1944, daughter of the 6th Earl of Enniskillen, MBE, DL, JP (1918-1989), Capt, Irish Guards, and his first wife Sonia Mary Syers, and married 29 Aug, 1975, as his 2nd wife, Richard James Kay Muir (born 25 May, 1939), son of Sir John Harling Muir, 3rd Baronet (1910-1994), and his wife Elizabeth Mary Dundas (1914-2008), scion of the Earls (later Marquesses) of Zetland. Her husband, of Park House, Blair Drummond, Perthshire, and Nakuru, Kenya, succeeded his father, 31 May, 1994, as the fourth baronet.

Lady Linda leaves issue, two daughters, Daisy and Anna.

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Lt-Cdr Michael Wykeham Cornwallis, RN 1924-2023

 Lieutenant-Commander Michael Wykeham Cornwallis, RN, who died 29 October, 2023, aged 98, was a scion of the Barons Cornwallis.

He was born 29 November, 1924, elder son of Capt the Hon Oswald Wykeham Cornwallis (1894-1974), and his wife the Hon Venetia Jane Digby (1900-1956), scion of the Barons Digby. He was a descendant of the first Tudor king, Henry VII.

He married 1stly, 18 Aug, 1953, Margaret Dorothy Cannon (1921-2003), daughter of John Wilson Cannon, of Faversham, Kent; and married 2ndly, 2005, Gwendoline Mary (Gwenda).

He leaves a son from his first marriage, Richard Wykeham (born 16 Nov, 1959), and a daughter, Diana Margaret (born 27 Aug, 1957).

He was a grandson of Fiennes Cornwallis,1st Baron Cornwallis (1864-1935)

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Charles Rupert Nugent 1961-2023

 Charles Rupert Nugent, who died 4 November, 2023, aged 61, was a scion of the Nugent baronets, and a maternal descendant of the Guinness family.

He was born 24 January, 1962, the eldest son of David Hugh Lavallin Nugent (1935-2003), and his wife the former Lady Elizabeth Maria Guinness (born 31 October, 1939).

He married in 1989, Louise Victoria Nixon, daughter of Timothy Francis Fetherstonhaugh Nixon (1936-2023), by whom he had issue, two sons, Hugh and James, and a daughter, Zoe.

The 2nd Earl of Iveagh > Arthur Guinness, Viscount Elveden > Lady Elizabeth Guinness > Charles Nugent

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Amelia Ann Rosemary Brooke (born 2023)

 Alice Brooke (nee Jack), wife of John Weston (Jock) Brooke [born 23 February, 1992], scion of the Brooke baronets of Almondbury, gave birth to a daughter, Amelia Ann Rosemary, 28 October, 2023.

Alice is a daughter of Alister William Jack, MP, PC (born 7 July, 1963), MP for Dumfries & Galloway and Secretary of State for Scotland, of Courance, Dumfries-shire, by his wife the former Ann Hodgson. 

Jock Brooke is a son of Charles Weston Brooke [born 27 January, 1951], of Fearn Lodge, Ardgay, Ross-shire, by his wife the former Tanya Elizabeth Maurice.

John's father is the younger brother and heir presumptive to Sir Alistair Weston Brooke, 4th Baronet [born 12 September, 1947].

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Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill, DBE, PC

 The life peerage awarded to Dame Sue Lascelles Carr, DBE, PC, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill, of Walton-on-the-Hill in the County of Surrey.

Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill (born 1 September, 1964), is a judge who has served as Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales since 1 October 2023. She is the first woman to serve as the head of the judiciary of England and Wales since the inception of the office of Lord Chief Justice in the 13th century. Carr previously served as a High Court judge from 2013 to 2020 and a Lady Justice of Appeal from 2020 to 2023.

Dame Sue chose to be styled Lady Chief Justice and succeeded Lord Burnett of Maldon on 1 October, 2023. Her swearing-in on 2 October, 2023, was the first time that the ceremony was livestreamed. On 6 November, 2023, she was created Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill, of Walton-on-the-Hill in the County of Surrey.

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The Baron Judge, PC 1941-2023

The Baron Judge, PC, who died 7 November, 2023, aged 82, was the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, the head of the judiciary, 2008-2013. He was previously President of the Queen's Bench Division, at the time a newly created post assuming responsibilities transferred from the office of Lord Chief Justice. From 2019 to 2023, he served as Convenor of the Crossbench peers in the House of Lords. Igor Judge, who was born 19 May, 1941, was created a life peer in 2008 as Baron Judge, of Draycote in the county of Warwickshire. He sat as a crossbencher in the Lords.

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Anne Phillida Chetwynd-Stapylton 1923-2023

 Anne Phillida Chetwynd-Stapylton (nee Pease), who died 31 October, 2023, aged 100, was a scion of the Pease baronets.

She was born 4 May, 1923, daughter of Sir Alfred Edward Pease, 2nd Baronet, MP, DL, JP (1857-1939), and his third wife the former Emily Elizabeth Smith (1897-1979). Her father served as Liberal MP for York, 1885-92, & was MP for Cleveland 1897-1902.

She married 20 February, 1946, Major (Edward) Mark Chetwynd-Stapylton (1919-1995), scion of the Viscounts Chetwynd, son of Richard Chetwynd-Stapylton (1880-1945), and his wife the former Vera Helen Maitland Makgill Crichton (1894-1959), scion of the Earls of Lauderdale, by whom she had three daughters, Judy Anne (born 22 April, 1948), Phillida Helen (born 20 Dec, 1949), and Joanna Elizabeth (born 19 July, 1951).

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Anne Henson (nee Ratcliffe-Brotherton) 1939-2023

Anne Henson, who died 18 October, 2023, aged 84, was a scion of the Ratcliffe-Brotherton landed gentry family. She was the chatelaine of the Kirkham Abbey estate, North Yorkshire.

Anne Ratcliffe-Brotherton was born in October, 1939, the only daughter of Charles Frederick Ratcliffe-Brotherton (1882-1949), of Kirkham Abbey, North Yorkshire, and his wife the former Lurline Winifred Elliot-Pyle (known as 'Muffy', the champion racehorse owner); and married firstly, 5 January, 1965 (div 1968), David Foulk Myddelton (1932-2021), scion of that landed gentry family of Chirk Castle, son of Lieutenant-Colonel Ririd Myddelton (1902-1988), and his wife the former Lady Mary Margaret Elizabeth Petty-Fitzmaurice (1910-2003), scion of the Marquesses of Lansdowne; and married 2ndly, ____Henson, and leaves issue from her first marriage, a son, Guy Charles (who was born 17 January, 1966).

Peerage News: David Foulk Myddelton 1932-2021

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Ben Collinson to marry Heidi Luedecke

 The engagement has been announced between Ben Collinson and Heidi Luedecke.

Heidi Olivia Luedecke (born 24 June, 1996), is a daughter of Rainer Hans Luedecke and his former wife Jane Louisa Ferguson (born 26 August, 1957), scion of the Ferguson landed gentry family, of Dummer, and is the elder sister of Sarah, Duchess of York.

Heidi is descended from the Dukes of Buccleuch & Queensberry :-

The 6th Duke of Buccleuch > Lord Herbert Montagu Douglas Scott > Marian Montagu Douglas Scott > Ronald Ferguson > Jane Ferguson > Heidi Luedecke

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Plum Esther Guinness (born 2023)

 Hannah Rose Guinness [nee Weiland, born 1990], wife of Arthur Paris Guinness [born 1991], scion of the Barons Moyne, has given birth to a daughter, Plum Esther, 1 November, 2023, a sister for Marlowe Paris who was born 22 June, 2020.

Arthur, who runs a Wiltshire cheese farm, is a son of the Hon Erskine Stuart Richard Guinness [born 1953], of Fosbury, Wiltshire, by his wife the former Louise Mary Elizabeth Dillon-Malone, and is a grandson of the 2nd Baron Moyne.

Hannah Guinness is a fashion designer, who founded Kate Moss’s favourite faux fur label, Shrimps.

She is a daughter of film director, Paul Weiland, OBE [born 1953], of Bradford on Avon, by his wife, the former Caroline Ames.

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George Hoyland to marry Kitty Graham

 The engagement was announced 4 November, 2023, between George Hugh James Hoyland (born 8 April, 1991), the younger son of Philip John Hoyland (born Nov 1958), of Hawnby, North Yorkshire, and his wife the former Hon Henrietta Mary Vivian (born 4 April, 1963), scion of the Barons Vivian, & Kitty L. Graham, daughter of Mr & Mrs Richard Graham, of Gloucester.

George Hoyland is a grandson maternally of the 6th Baron Vivian (1935-2004), and of the Countess of Mexborough.

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Robert Michael Alexander Micklem (born 2023)

Alexandra M. Micklem (née Jackson), wife of Oliver David Micklem (born 6 Aug, 1991), scion of that landed gentry family, gave birth to a son, Robert Michael Alexander, 29 October, 2023.

Alexandra is a daughter of Michael Jackson, of Ealing London. Oliver is the eldest son of Alexander David Robert Micklem (born 11 March, 1965), and his wife the former Jennifer Jane Healy (born 1967).

Sir John Milburn 1st Baronet (1851-1907) > Archibald William Milburn (1887-1965) > Sarah Caroline Georgiana Milburn (born 1935) > Alexander David Robert Micklem (as above)

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Humphrey George Gerald Blanshard (born 2023)

  Flora Katharine Louise Blanshard (born 1994), wife of James William R. Blanshard [born 1992], gave birth to a son, Humphrey George Gerald, 23 October, 2023.

Flora is the younger daughter of Thomas Geoffrey Bowring [born 1949], of Halton Park, Lancaster, by his wife the former Amanda Jane Graham Moon [born 1958], scion of the Moon baronets, daughter of Major John Cecil Graham Moon [1916-2006], &c.

James is the son of Nigel Grove Blanshard [born 1958], of Walchwil, Zug, Switzerland, by his wife the former Christine Hilda Oliver [born 1959].

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Theodore Jude Marsh Elwes (born 2023)

Sophie Elwes (nee Marsh), wife of Hugo Marcus Elwes [born 1991], scion of that landed gentry family, gave birth to a son, Theodore Jude Marsh, 28 October, 2023.

Hugo is a son of the late Martin Stephen Robert Elwes [1948-2014], by his wife the former Sarah Marianne Worsley [born 25 June, 1958], scion of the Worsley baronets.

Sophie is a daughter of Robert Marsh and Mrs Sarah MacLachlan, of Toronto, Canada.

Baby Theodore is a great-great nephew of HRH The Duchess of Kent, GCVO.

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The Hon Michael Albemarle Bowes Lyon 1940-2023

The Hon Michael Albemarle (Alby) Bowes Lyon, who died 30 October, 2023, aged 83, was a scion of the Earls of Strathmore & Kinghorne and a cousin of the King.

He was born 29 May, 1940, the second son of Capt the Hon Michael Claude Hamilton Bowes Lyon (1893-1953), and his wife the former Elizabeth Margaret Cator (1899-1959), scion of that Norfolk landed gentry family. He was a nephew of HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and a first cousin of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

Alby Bowes Lyon was a director of Coutts & Co from 1969 to 1993, and in 1974 he was raised to the rank of an earl's younger son on the succession to the Earldom of Strathmore & Kinghorne of his elder brother, Fergus. ]

Alby Bowes Lyon's siblings were Fergus, the 17th Earl (1928-87), who collapsed and died on his grouse moor in Aug, 1987; Lady Mary (1932-2021), wife of Sir Timothy Colman, KG; and Lady Patricia (1932-95), wife of Oliver Tetley.

He was unmarried.

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Lord Edward Seymour weds Felicity Huntley

 The marriage took place in 2023, between the Lord Edward George Seymour (born 24 January, 1995), second son of the 9th Marquess of Hertford (born 6 July, 1958), of Ragley Hall, Alcester, Warwickshire, by his wife the former Beatriz Karam, daughter of Jorge Karam, of Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Felicity Helen Huntley (born 1995).

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Sam Gueterbock to marry Emily Arcedeckne-Butler

 The engagement was announced 3 November, 2023, between Samuel George FitzHardinge Gueterbock (born 1996), scion of the Barons Berkeley, eldest son of the Hon Thomas Fitzhardinge Gueterbock (born 5 January, 1969), of London, and his wife the former Helen Ruth Walsh, and Emily Julia Garnier Arcedeckne-Butler (born 5 June, 1996), descended from the Barons Dunboybe, eldest daughter of Timothy Garnier Arcedeckne-Butler (born 15 August, 1962), of London, and his wife the former Nathalie Catherine Rawoo.

Sam Gueterbock is a grandson of the 18th Baron Berkeley, OBE (born 20 September, 1939).

Emily Arcedeckne-Butler is a descendant of the 23rd Baron Dunboyne (1780-1850)

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Dr The Hon Pamela Anne Epps (née Moncreiff) 1927-2023

 Dr the Hon Pamela Epps, who died at Edinburgh, 26 October, 2023, aged 96, was a scion of the Barons Moncreiff.

Pamela Anne Monceiff was born in 1927, fourth daughter of the 4th Baron Moncreiff (1872-1942), and his wife the former Lucy Vida Anderson (who died 2 Dec, 1973); and married 1stly 24 September, 1951 (div 1973), Edward James White, son of Henry Thomas White, of Edinburgh; married 2ndly, in 1979, Ernest Frederick Epps, and leaves issue from her first marriage.

She was a sister of the 5th Baron Moncreiff (1915-2002), and an aunt of the 6th Baron (born 22 March, 1954).

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Hudson/Ashton engagement

The engagement was announced 1st Nov, 2023, between George William Hudson (born 1992), elder son of Nicholas J.M. Hudson (born 1961), of Putney, London, and his wife the former Johanna M. Chattle (born 1961), and the Hon Isobel Louise Ashton (born 22 September, 1992), second of the four daughters of the 4th Baron Ashton of Hyde (born 18 July, 1958), of Broadwell, Gloucestershire, and his wife the former Emma Louise Allinson (born 1963).

Lord Ashton of Hyde is the fourth holder of the peerage created in 1911. The 1st Baron, as Thomas Gair Ashton, was Liberal MP for Hyde in Cheshire and later for Luton. He was a kinsman of the Luptons, from whom descends HRH The Princess of Wales.

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The Hon James Lindsay and Clara Strunck

 The engagement was announced 1 November, 2023, between the Hon James Antony Lindsay (born 10 November, 1992), second son of the 30th Earl of Crawford & Balcarres (born 24 November, 1958), of Balcarres, Fife, and the Countess of Crawford & Balcarres (nee Nicola Ann Bicket, born 1960), & Clara Rose C.R. (Coco) Strunck (born 9 April, 1993), youngest daughter of Ronald A.A.M. Strunck (born Nov, 1943), of London, and his wife the former Camilla Mary Elizabeth Romsey Dobson (born Feb, 1958).

The bride-to-be is a granddaughter maternally of Sir Denis Dobson, KCB, OBE, QC (1908-1995). She is a freelance writer and journalist. She has experience writing news, features and interviews for magazines and national newspapers, including The Sunday Times Style, Tatler, ES Magazine, The Evening Standard, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, The Telegraph and Vogue Scandinavia, among others. She has also worked on refreshing brand editorial for companies such as Cartier and Bicester Village.

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