Latest news of births, marriages and deaths in the Peerage,Baronetage and landed gentry families.
The engagement was announced 31 August, 2024, between Thomas William Malcolm (born 1990), younger son of Sir Alexander James Elton Malcolm, OBE, 13th Baronet (born 30 August, 1957), of Brincecombe, co Somerset, and his wife the former Virginia Elizabeth Coxon, & Alice Louise Daisy Onslow (born 1994), scion of the Earls of Onslow, only daughter of Christopher Denzil Onslow (born 14 March, 1956), of Cromlix, Dunblane, Perthshire, & his 2nd wife the former Paula Louise Howell Jenkins.
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Katie Bromfield (nee Daniel, born 31 Dec, 1987), wife of Jamie Bromfield, gave birth to a daughter, Sophia Florence Elizabeth, 21 August, 2024, a sister for Saskia Lily Svanna, who was born 26 April, 2023.
Jamie is a son of Mr & Mrs Charles Bromfield, of Wield, Hampshire.
Katie is a daughter of Dr Christopher Daniel [who died in 2000], and his wife the former Lucy Anne Tudway Quilter [born 6 May, 1961], scion of the Quilter baronets.
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The engagement was announced 31 August, 2024, between Charles Benedict De Rezny Channer (born 1996), son of Colonel Nicholas Hugh De Rezny Channer, of Coxwold, North Yorkshire, and his wife the former Catherine L. Whitehead, & Daisy Sophie Macnab of Macnab Yr (born 26 June, 1999), daughter of The Macnab of Macnab (James William Archibald Macnab) (born 22 March, 1963), 24th Chief of the Clan Macnab, of Edinburgh, and his wife the former Dr Jane Louise Mackintosh.
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The engagement was announced 31 August, 2024, between Mark Francis Soames (born 26 October, 1992), scion of that landed gentry family, eldest son of Martin Arthur Soames (born 1954), of London, and his wife the former Velia Bavetta (born circa 1962), Adriana Orbea, only daughter of Sr Ignacio Orbea Muguiro, of Vitoria-Gasteiz, and Sra Adriana Gómez-Arnau Díaz-Cañabate, of Madrid.
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The marriage took place 8 August, 2024, at Islington Town Hall, between Jasset David Cody Ormsby-Gore, 7th Baron Harlech (born 1 July, 1986), son of the late 6th Baron Harlech (1954-2016), and his former wife, Amanda Jane Grieve (born 1958), & Ida H.Y. Lai (born 1989), a Canadian.
Jasset Harlech succeeded to the peerage 1 February, 2016. The Peerage of the UK was created in 1876. John, the first Baron (1816-76), was Groom in Waiting to Queen Victoria, MP for Carnarvonshire and later for North Shropshire. His brother, the 2nd Baron (1819-1904), married Lady Emily Seymour, sister of the 5th Marquess of Hertford; the 3rd Baron, George (1855-1938), married Lady Margaret Gordon, daughter of the 10th Marquis of Huntly. William, the 4th Baron (1885-1964), married Lady Beatrice Gascoyne-Cecil, daughter of the 4th Marquess of Salisbury. David, 5th Baron (1918-85), was British Ambassador to the United States, a lover of Jacqueline Kennedy, and was killed in a car accident in January, 1985. The 6th Baron having inherited estates in Wales and Shropshire worth £2.6m, and been obliged to pay £1.6m in tax, by the year 2000 he was forced to sell his ancestral seat, Brogyntyn Hall in Oswestry, Shropshire. It had been in the family for two centuries, including a period of notoriety during the "Swinging Sixties" when he, his older brother Julian (1940-74) and their three sisters, Jane, Victoria and Alice, had set up a commune in the 200-acre park.
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Susan Cavenagh (née Thomson), of Withcote Hall, Oakham, Rutland, who died 18 August, 2024, aged 87, was a scion of the Thomson baronets; born 7 Oct, 1936, the eldest daughter of Sir James Douglas Wishart Thomson, 2nd Baronet (1905-1972), and his wife the former Evelyn Margaret Isabel Douglas (1915-2017); & married 8 July, 1961, Capt John Michael Cavenagh, GM (1925-2013), son of Brigadier Thomas Francis Cavanagh, OBE, MC (1892-1973) and his wife the former Helen Curwen (1895-1964), by whom she had issue, a son Thomas (born 28 July, 1966), and two daughters, Sarah (born 5 Oct, 1964), and Bettina (born in 1971).
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The engagement was announced 31 August, 2024, between Piergiuseppe Coppola, younger son of Mr and Mrs Giuseppe Coppola, of Eindhoven, the Netherlands, and Puglia, Italy, & Helena Jane Barham (born 31 May, 1997), scion of that landed gentry family, younger daughter of Edward George Barham (born 1962), of Hole Park, Kent, and his wife the former Clare Catherine Turnbull (born 27 July, 1966), descended from the Earls of Stamford.
William Grey, 9th Earl of Stamford > Lady Jane Grey > Oliver Turnbull > Clare Turnbull > Helena Barham
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Christine Charlotte (Christa) Champion De Crespigny (nee Boltz), died at Krems, Austria, 27 August, 2024, aged 85.
She was the born in Berlin, 24 August, 1939, daughter of Hans Boltz, and married 19 May, 1959, Richard Rafe Champion De Crespigny (born 1936), scion of that landed gentry family, son of Richard Geoffrey Champion De Crespigny, OBE (1907-1966), and his wife the former Kathleen Cavenagh Cudmore (1908-2013).
Her husband also known by his Chinese name Zhang Leifu (Chinese: 張磊夫), is an Australian sinologist and historian. He was an adjunct professor in the College of Asia and the Pacific at the Australian National University. He specialised in the history, geography, and literature of the Han dynasty, particularly the translation and historiography of material concerning the Han dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period.
Christa Champion De Crespigny leaves a son, Mark, and a daughter, Anne.
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The King and Queen were represented by Sir Brian Ivory, CVO, CBE, at the Funeral of the Dowager Countess of Airlie (former Lady of the Bedchamber to The late Queen Elizabeth II) which was held at Cortachy, by Kirriemuir, Angus, 30 August, 2024.
Princess Alexandra, the Hon Lady Ogilvy, sister-in-law of the Countess, was represented by her children, Mr James Ogilvy and Miss Marina Ogilvy.
The Dowager Countess of Airlie, who died 17 August, 2024, aged 91, was widow of the 13th Earl of Airlie, and the first American to serve as a lady in waiting to the sovereign.
The King paid tribute to the Countess of Airlie, his mother's close confidant and first American lady in waiting following news of her death.
Virginia 'Ginny' Ryan was the first American to have served as a lady-in-waiting to the late Queen when she was appointed lady of the bedchamber in 1973 – and was with her until Her Majesty's death, 8 September 2022.
Lady Airlie lived at Cortachy Castle, Kirriemuir, Angus, and had a London home in Sloane Court West, SW3.
So close were they that the late Queen made what is believed to have been her only visit to a nightclub when she visited Annabel's in 2003 to celebrate the 70th birthday of Lady Airlie.
A statement released from Buckingham Palace yesterday read: 'His Majesty was deeply saddened to hear the news, having known Lady Airlie for so much of his life and having so greatly appreciated her immense devotion and dedicated service to Her late Majesty over so many years.'
King Charles is on holiday in Scotland but has spoken with the countess's family to express his sympathies. Lady Airlie's husband David – himself a childhood friend of the late Queen – was the 13th Earl of Airlie and Chancellor of the Order of the Thistle until his death last year at the age of 97.
The couple, who married in October 1952, were key figures in the late Queen's royal household – regularly staying at Sandringham and Balmoral. The wedding took place at St Margaret’s Church, Westminster. The late Queen, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and Princess Margaret were all in attendance at what the Telegraph called ‘a major society event’ – so much so it featured on the news.
She was born 9 February, 1933, daughter of John Barry Ryan Jr, of Moorland Farm, Newport, Rhode Island, USA, by his wife the former Margaret Dorothy Kahn (1901-1995), daughter of Otto Kahn (1867-1934), the American investment banker and philanthropist; and married 23 Oct, 1952, the then David George Coke Patrick Ogilvy, styled Lord Ogilvy (born 17 May, 1926), son and heir of the 12th Earl of Airlie, KT, GCVO, MC (1893-1968), and his wife the Lady Alexandra Marie Bridget Coke (died 1984), daughter of the 3rd Earl of Leicester, GCVO, CMG (1848-1941). Her husband succeeded his father in the earldom, 28 Dec, 1968.
The countess was a sister-in-law of the Hon Sir Angus Ogilvy, KCVO, PC, who married Princess Alexandra of Kent in 1963.
Her husband was cr GCVO 1984; Chancellor of the Royal Victorian Order 1984-87; Privy Councillor 1984; Lord Chamberlain of the Household 1984-87; sworn of the Privy Council 1984; Knight of the Thistle 1985; Lord Lieutenant of Angus from 1989; received the Royal Victorian Chain 1997. He died 26 June, 2023.
Virginia Airlie was a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II 1973-2022. The office of Lady or Woman of the Bedchamber and is now defunct, and the ladies attending HM Queen Camilla are now styled 'Queen's Companions'. Sje was appointed DCVO in 1995.
She leaves three sons and three daughters. Her eldest son, David (born 9 March, 1958), succeeded his father in the peerages, the second son is the Hon Bruce Ogilvy (born 7 Apr, 1959), and the third son is the Hon Patrick Ogilvy (born 24 Mar 1971), the daughters are Lady Doune (born 13 Aug 1953), Lady Jane (born 24 Jun 1955), and Lady Elizabeth (born 4 June, 1965).
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Emma Monckton [nee Forsdick], wife of Dominic Walter Monckton [born 1985], scion of the Viscounts Monckton of Brenchley, gave birth to a son, Sebastian Walter, 28 August, 2024, at Sydney, New South Wales, a brother for Evie Millicent, who was born 11 May, 2022.
Dominic is a son of the Hon Timothy David Robert Monckton [born 15 Aug 1955], and his wife the former Jennifer Carmody, and is a grandson paternally of the late Maj-Gen the 2nd Viscount Monckton of Brenchley, CB, OBE, MC [1915-2006].
The infant's grandfather is the heir presumptive to the 3rd Viscount Monckton, and Sebastian's father is destined to succeed to the peerage.
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The Prime Minister's Office has announced that the King has been pleased to approve the appointment of Catherine Smith, KC as Advocate General for Scotland, and that His Majesty has also been pleased to signify his intention of conferring a peerage of the United Kingdom for life on Miss Smith.
Catherine Smith (born 4 May, 1973) is a daughter of the late Rt Hon John Smith, MP PC (1938-1994), the Scottish politician who was Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Labour Party from July 1992 until his death in May 1994. He was also Member of Parliament for Monklands East.
Her mother is Elizabeth Smith, Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill, DL (born 4 June, 1940), who was raised to the peerage with a life barony in the months following John Smith's sudden death. I believe it will be the first case of a mother and daughter sitting together in the House of Lords.
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The Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex attended the memorial service to their uncle, Lord Fellowes, on Thursday 29 August, 2024.
The service took place at St Mary's Church, on the Sandringham estate where Fellowes had worshipped since childhood.
A church warden who wished to remain anonymous told the BBC: "It was wonderful that both princes were able to attend their uncle's memorial service at St Mary's Church."
"The service was a lovely family occasion celebrating the life of such a special man."
Lord Fellowes was married to Lady Jane Spencer, sister of Diana, Princess of Wales, for over forty years.
No comment on the private service has come from Kensington Palace and the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex has not responded to a request for a comment.
Lord Fellowes, GCB, GCVO, QSO, PC, who died 29 July, aged died 82, was private secretary to Queen Elizabeth II, during the turbulent years of the collapse of three of the marriages of Her Majesty's children.
As Robert Fellowes he was Private Secretary to the Queen 1990-99, having been deputy private secretary from 1986, and a member of the Royal Household from the Queen’s Silver Jubilee year in 1977.
He was born at Sandringham, 11 Dec, 1941, elder son of the land agent to King George VI at his Norfolk country estate, Sir William Fellowes (1899-1986), scion of that landed gentry family, and his wife Jane Charlotte Ferguson (1912-86), scion of that landed gentry family, and a great-aunt of Sarah Duchess of York.
He married in 1978, the Lady Cynthia Jane Spencer (born 11 February, 1957), 2nd daughter of the 8th Earl Spencer (1924-1992), of Althorp House, Northampton, and his first wife the Hon Frances Ruth Burke Roche (1936-2004), scion of the Barons Fermoy, by whom he had issue, a son the Hon Alexander Fellowes (born 23 March, 1983), and two daughters, the Hon Laura (born 19 July, 1980), and the Hon Eleanor (born 20 Aug, 1985).
Fellowes was sworn of the Privy Council in 1990, and was an Extra Equerry to Queen Elizabeth II until Her Majesty’s death in 2022. He was Secretary & Registrar, Order of Merit 2003-2022.
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The engagement was announced 28 August, 2024, between Henry J. Fisher, son of Mr and Mrs Mark Fisher, of Mayford, Surrey, and Helena Idina Allfrey (born 5 July, 1996), scion of that landed gentry family, eldest daughter of Major Charles John Allfrey (born 19 May, 1963), of Milton on Stour, Dorset, and his wife the former Caroline Margaret Violet Aird (born 18 June, 1964), scion of the Aird baronets, the eldest daughter of Sir Alastair Sturgis Aird, GCVO (1931-2009), Private Secretary and Equerry to HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
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The engagement was announced 26 August, 2024, beteween Capt the Hon William Evelyn Cecil (born 7 July, 1996), the only son and heir of the 4th Baron Rockley (born born 29 July, 1961), of Lytchett Heath, Dorset, and his wife the former Katherine Jane Whalley (born 1962), & Tiffany C. Aldrich, eldest daughter of Dr Paul Aldrich (born 1964), and Mrs Tina Aldrich , of London.
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The engagement was announced 24 August, 2024, between Lord Hugh Alexander Carnegie (born 10 June, 1993), third son of the 4th Duke of Fife (born 3 May, 1961), of Kinnaird Castle, Brechin, Angus, and the Duchess of Fife (nee Caroline Anne Bunting, born 13 Nov, 1961), & Catherine Claudia A. Morgan (born 1993), younger daughter of Mr Charles Peter Henry Morgan (born 1951), of Knightsbridge, London, and of Mrs (Kathryn) Jane L. Morgan (nee Pitt), of Wandsworth, London.
Lord George is a third cousin once removed of King Charles III.
Lord George is descended from the Royal House:-
King Edward VII > Princess Louise, Duchess of Fife > Princess Maud of Fife > the 3rd Duke of Fife > 4th Duke of Fife > Lord Hugh Carnegie
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The engagement was announced 24 August, 2024, between Sir William Robert Malby Crofton, 8th Baronet (born 5 January, 1996), son of the late Sir Julian Malby Crofton, 7th Baronet (1958-2018), and his wfe the former Hilary Twort (now Hilary, Lady Crofton, of Sunningdale, Berkshire), & Ellen Rose Page (born 1996), daughter of Mark John Page (born 1967), and his former wife Mrs Elizabeth Joy Richards (nee Baines, born 1968), of Chaddesley Corbett, Worcestershire.
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Elizabeth Anne Liddell-Grainger [born 1985, nee Wilks] wife of Peter Richard Liddell-Grainger [born 6 May, 1987], scion of that landed family, gave birth to a daughter, Clara Anne Isabella, 24 July, 2024, a sister for Alfred Richard Henry, who was born 4 April, 2022.
Elizabeth Liddell-Grainger is a daughter of Dr Peter Robert Wilks, of Sandhill, co Surrey, by his wife the former Victoria Anne Morgan Woollam [born 1954].
Peter Liddell-Grainger is a son of Ian Richard Peregrine Liddell-Grainger, MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset, of Bicknoller, co Somerset [born 23 February, 1959], by his wife the former Jill Nesbitt [born 1956],
Peter Liddell-Grainger is a great-great-grandson of Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone [1883-1981], who was a granddaughter of HM Queen Victoria.
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Oilbhe Chichester, styled Countess of Belfast, wife of James Arthur Chichester, styled Earl of Belfast (born 19 Nov, 1990), gave birth to a second son, Sebastian Claud Spencer, 7 June, 2024, a brother for Arthur Humphrey John, styled Viscount Chichester, who was born 16 May, 2022.
The Countess of Belfast is the former Oilbhe Cahill Reid, daughter of the late Mr Charles Reid and Dr Mairead Cahill and step daughter of Mr James Watson, ,of Roscommon.
The Earl of Belfast is the son and heir of the 8th Marquess of Donegall (b 9 May 1952), of Roxburghshire, by his wife the former Caroline Mary Philipson [born 1959], descended from the Macdonald-Buchanan family.
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Henry Theodore Keith died 16 August, 2024, aged 25.
He was born 2 December, 1998, the second son of James Edward Keith (born 5 March, 1960), and his wife the former Victoria Rosemary Cook (born 1956), and was a descendant of the Mann baronets. He was unmarried.
Sir Edward Mann, 1st Baronet (1854-1943) > Maj William Mann (1885-1969) > Penelope Jane Mann (died 2002) > James Edward Keith (b 1960) > Henry Keith (1998-2024)
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Cressida Rose Katharine Comyn, who died 6 August, 2024, was descended from the Plumptre family (Barons Fitzwalter).
She was born in 1985, daughtrer of Timothy John Comyn (born 2 June, 1951), by his wife the former Jane Fairrie Drinkwater (born 1951). Unm.
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Yasmin Benveniste Brunt (nee Monteiro), wife of Frederick Robert H. Brunt [born 1985], scion of that landed gentry family, of Weston Green, gave birth to a daughter, Isobel Rosemary Monteiro Brunt, 17 August, 2024.
Frederick Brunt is a son of [Nigel Richard] Pierce Brunt [born 1948], of Beauworth, Hampshire, and his wife the former Audrey d'Esterre Howard [born 1949].
Yasmin Benveniste Monteiro, is a daughter of Aroni and Elizabeth Monteiro, of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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The life peerage recently conferred upon the Rt Hon Theresa May, former Prime Minister, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baroness May of Maidenhead, of Sonning in the Royal County of Berkshire.
21 Aug 2024
The life peerage recently conferred upon Liam David Scott Booth-Smith, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Booth-Smith, of Newcastle-under-Lyme in the County of Staffordshire.
21 Aug 2024
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James Alexander Whitson, who died 10 August, 2024, aged 51, was a grandson maternally of Sir William Wrixon-Becher, 5th Bt.
He was born in 1973, son of Gordon M.A.P. Whitson (who died 1974), and his wife the former Susannah Elizabeth Wrixon-Becher (born 27 January, 1948), daughter of Sir William Wrixon-Becher, 5th Baronet (1915-2000). He married in 2001 (div) Tamara O'Connor, daughter of Francis O'Connor, by whom he had issue, a son, Wilf, and two daughters, Kitty and India.
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The life peerage recently conferred upon the Right Hon Christopher Stephen Grayling, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Grayling, of Ashtead in the County of Surrey...
20 Aug 2024
The life peerage recently conferred upon Sir Alok Kumar Sharma, KCMG, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Sharma, of Reading in the Royal County of Berkshire.
20 Aug 2024
Lucy Sandys [nee Warhurst], wife of Edward Myles Sandys [born 1984], scion of the Sandys landed gentry family, of Graythwaite and Esthwaite, gave bir to a son, Max Thomas Myles, 8 July, 2024, a brother for India Ottilie Rose, who was born 3 January, 2021, and for Delilah Olive Dulcie, born 23 September, 2022.
Lucy is a daughter of [Thomas] Jeffrey Warhurst [born 1942], of Sutton-under-Brailes, co Warwick, and Mrs Warhurst.
Edward Sandys is a son of Myles Christopher Ross Sandys [born 1951], High Sheriff of Cumbria in 1992, of Garthwaite Hall, Newby Bridge, near Ulverston, Cumbria, and his wife the former Camilla Birtwistle.
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The life peerage recently conferred upon the Rt Hon Sir Graham Brady, a former Conservative MP, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Brady of Altrincham, of Birch-in-Rusholme in the County of Greater Manchester.
19 Aug 2024
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The life peerage recently conferred on the Rt Hon Harriet Ruth Harman, the former Labour MP, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baroness Harman, of Peckham in the London Borough of Southwark.
19 Aug 2024
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The engagement was announced 17 August, 2024, between Robert F.I. Cooper, son of Mr and Mrs Duncan Cooper, of Horsham, West Sussex, & Tabitha Christian Annand Fraser (born 1993), daughter of James Annand Fraser, of Asknish, Argyll, & his wife the Hon Victoria Christian Cameron (born 1965), daughter of the life peer the Baron Cameron of Lochbroom, PC, FRSE (born 11 June, 1931).
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The engagement was announced 17 August, 2024, between Thomas Richard Gildart Selwyn Sharpe (born 1992) eldest son of Richard Charles Selwyn Sharpe, of Finghall, North Yorkshire, and his wife the former Fleur Josephine Butler (born 24 April, 1967), & Mary Jane Allwood (born 22 September, 1994), eldest daughter of Andrew Geoffrey Allwood (born 1959), of Muiresk House, Aberdeenshire, by his wife the former Hon Catherine Mary Tennant Arundell (born 16 April, 1960), 2nd daughter of the 10th Baron Talbot of Malahide (1931-2016).
Thomas Selwyn Sharpe is a great-grandson of the Baron Butler of Saffron Walden, KG, CH, PC, DL (1902-1982).
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The engagement was announced 17 August, 2024, between Major Alexander Leo Major (born 1 July, 1986), Welsh Guards, son of David Major, of Atherington, Devon, and his wife the former Amanda J Sheppard, & Virginia Caterina Stuart Taylor (born 1989), elder daughter of Sir Nicholas Richard Stuart Taylor, 4th Baronet (born 14 January, 1952), of Bishop's Waltham, Hampshire, and his former wife, Malvena Elizabeth, Lady Stuart Taylor (nee Sullivan), of Beaulieu, Hampshire.
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Virginia, Countess of Airlie, DCVO, who died 17 August, 2024, aged 91, was widow of the 13th Earl of Airlie, and the first American to serve as a lady in waiting to the sovereign.
The King paid tribute to the Countess of Airlie, his mother's close confidant and first American lady in waiting following news of her death.
Virginia 'Ginny' Ryan was the first American to have served as a lady-in-waiting to the late Queen when she was appointed lady of the bedchamber in 1973 – and was with her until Her Majesty's death, 8 September 2022.
Lady Airlie lived at Cortachy Castle, Kirriemuir, Angus, and had a London home in Sloane Court West, SW3.
So close were they that the late Queen made what is believed to have been her only visit to a nightclub when she visited Annabel's in 2003 to celebrate the 70th birthday of Lady Airlie.
A statement released from Buckingham Palace yesterday read: 'His Majesty was deeply saddened to hear the news, having known Lady Airlie for so much of his life and having so greatly appreciated her immense devotion and dedicated service to Her late Majesty over so many years.'
King Charles is on holiday in Scotland but has spoken with the countess's family to express his sympathies. Lady Airlie's husband David – himself a childhood friend of the late Queen – was the 13th Earl of Airlie and Chancellor of the Order of the Thistle until his death last year at the age of 97.
The couple, who married in October 1952, were key figures in the late Queen's royal household – regularly staying at Sandringham and Balmoral. The wedding took place at St Margaret’s Church, Westminster. The late Queen, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and Princess Margaret were all in attendance at what the Telegraph called ‘a major society event’ – so much so it featured on the news.
She was born 9 February, 1933, daughter of John Barry Ryan Jr, of Moorland Farm, Newport, Rhode Island, USA, by his wife the former Margaret Dorothy Kahn (1901-1995), daughter of Otto Kahn (1867-1934), the American investment banker and philanthropist; and married 23 Oct, 1952, the then David George Coke Patrick Ogilvy, styled Lord Ogilvy (born 17 May, 1926), son and heir of the 12th Earl of Airlie, KT, GCVO, MC (1893-1968), and his wife the Lady Alexandra Marie Bridget Coke (died 1984), daughter of the 3rd Earl of Leicester, GCVO, CMG (1848-1941). Her husband succeeded his father in the earldom, 28 Dec, 1968.
The countess was a sister-in-law of the Hon Sir Angus Ogilvy, KCVO, PC, who married Princess Alexandra of Kent in 1963.
Her husband was cr GCVO 1984; Chancellor of the Royal Victorian Order 1984-87; Privy Councillor 1984; Lord Chamberlain of the Household 1984-87; sworn of the Privy Council 1984; Knight of the Thistle 1985; Lord Lieutenant of Angus from 1989; received the Royal Victorian Chain 1997. He died 26 June, 2023.
Virginia Airlie was a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II 1973-2022. The office of Lady or Woman of the Bedchamber and is now defunct, and the ladies attending HM Queen Camilla are now styled 'Queen's Companions'. Sje was appointed DCVO in 1995.
She leaves three sons and three daughters. Her eldest son, David (born 9 March, 1958), succeeded his father in the peerages, the second son is the Hon Bruce Ogilvy (born 7 Apr, 1959), and the third son is the Hon Patrick Ogilvy (born 24 Mar 1971), the daughters are Lady Doune (born 13 Aug 1953), Lady Jane (born 24 Jun 1955), and Lady Elizabeth (born 4 June, 1965).
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The life peerage recently conferred upon Thomas Beatty Elliott, MLA, (born 11 December, 1963) - Member of the Legislative Assembly for Fermanagh and South Tyrone and former leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Elliott of Ballinamallard, of Ballinamallard in the County of Fermanagh, 16 Aug 2024.
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The life peerage recently conferred upon Minette Bridget Batters (born 28 May 1967) - Former President of the National Farmers’ Union of England and Wales, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baroness Batters, of Downton in the County of Wiltshire, 16 Aug 2024.
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Jeremy Leigh-Pemberton, CBE, who died 5 August, 2024, aged 90, was a scion of that landed gentry family.
He was born 25 November, 1933, the third son of Capt Robert Douglas Leigh Pemberton, MBE, MC (1896-1964), head of that family, and his wife the former Helen Isabel Payne-Gallwey (1898-1985), and was a younger brother of the life peer the Baron Kingsdown, KG (1927-2013)
He married 1stly, 30 May, 1968 (div. 1980), Mary Ames, daughter of John Ames, of Boston, Mass., USA; married 2ndly, 3 June, 1982, Virginia Marion Curle, a half-sister of the 3rd Baron Strathcarron, daughter of Sir John Noel Ormiston Curle (1915-1997), the diplomat, and his former wife Diana Hawtrey Deane (1923-1973). Diana Curle married 2ndly, 18 May, 1948, the 2nd Baron Strathcarron (1924-2006).
He leaves a son from his first marriage, Richard Ames Leigh Pemberton (born 13 Dec, 1971).
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Isobel Camilla Honoria Caldin (nee Harrison-Allen, born 23 May, 1990), wife of Alexander Robert Giles Caldin (born circa 1984), gave birth to a son, Rowland James Ludo, 24 July, 2024.
Alexander Caldin is a son of (Peter) Giles Caldin, of Salford, Oxfordshire, and his wife the former Rachel M. Roberts.
Isobel Caldin is a scion of that landed gentry family, daughter of Hugh David Rowland Harrison-Allen (born 1950), and his wife the former Amanda Jane Ommanney (born 26 Feb, 1953), scion of that landed gentry family, daughter of Major Peter Richard Ommanney (1911-1995), and his wife the former Joan Isobel Paterson (1920-2005).
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The life peerage recently conferred upon the Rt Hon Kevan David Jones, PC, (born 25 April 1964) - Lately Member of Parliament for North Durham and former Minister for Veterans at the Ministry of Defence, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Beamish, of Beamish in the County of Durham, 15 Aug 2024.
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The life peerage recently conferred upon John Robert Cryer (born 11 April 1964), - Lately Member of Parliament for Leyton and Wanstead, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Cryer, of Leyton in the London Borough of Waltham Forest, 15 Aug, 2024.
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Jane Vanneck, who died 7 August, 2024, aged 78, was wife of William Vanneck, scion of the Barons Huntingfield.
She was the former Jane Blanton, daughter of Donald Blanton, and married in 1971, William Bonde Vanneck (born 27 December, 1943), son of the Hon Andrew Nicholas Armstrong Vanneck (1890-1965), and his 2nd wife the former Britta Ingeborg Nilsdotter Bonde (who died 1 Sept, 1998). Her husband is a nephew of the late 5th Baron Huntingfield (1883-1969).
She was mother of a son, Mark Vanneck (born 1979), and a daughter, Nina (born 1975).
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Lady Spencer-Nairn, who died 4 August, 2024, aged 86, was the wife of Sir Robert Spencer-Nairn, 3rd Baronet.
She was born Joanna Elizabeth Salt, 10 December, 1937, scion of the Salt baronets of Weeping Cross, daughter of Lieutenant-Commander George Stevenson Salt, RN (1908-1940), and his wife the former Lilian Bridget Francis (1912-2011). Her father was killed in action, 20 Oct, 1940, commanding HM Submarine Triad.
She married 4 May, 1963, Robert Arnold Spencer-Nairn (born 11 Oct, 1933), son and heir of Sir Douglas Spencer-Nairn, 2nd Baronet (1906-1970), and his wife the former Elizabeth Livingston Henderson (who died 1985). Her husband succeeded his father as third baronet, 8 Nov, 1970.
She is survived by her husband, and two sons, James and Andrew, and a daughter, Katharine.
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Sally Moore Garnett died 31 July, 2024, aged 93.
She was the former Sally Moore Hezlett, daughter of Ian Moore Hezlett (1907-1957), of Ascot, Berkshire, by his wife the former Cecily Vanda Walker (1907-1995); and married firstly, 14 January, 1953 (div 1971), the Hon Edward Lawies Jackson (1928-1982), son and heir of the 3rd Baron Allerton (1903-1991), and his wife the former Christine Joyce Hatfeild (who died 6 May, 1953).
She married 2ndly, 1972, John A. Garnett (deceased).
From her first marriage she leaves two daughters, Susan Caroline Lawies Jackson (born 25 Sept, 1954), and Lavinia Jane Lawies Jackson (born 25 June, 1957).
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The marriage has recently taken place between the 6th Viscount Selby and Amanda Blomquist.
Christopher Rolf Thomas Gully, 6th Viscount Selby (Peerage of the UK, cr 1905) (born 18 Oct, 1993), is the son of the late 5th Viscount (1967-2001), and his first wife the former Charlotte Catherine Brege (who died 1995), daughter of Rolph Brege, of Lomma, Sweden. Christopher succeeded to the viscountcy upin his father's death, 23 January, 2001.
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Angela Mary Pelly, who died 4 August, 2024, aged 97, was the widow of Lieutenant-Commander David Cecil Pelly, scion of the Pelly baronets.
She was the former Angela Mary Gandell, daughter of Capt. Wilfrid Pearse Gandell, CBE, RN (1886-1986), and his wife the former Lilian Amabel Marian Campbell, BEM (1894-1982); and married 29 July, 1950, David Cecil Pelly (born 17 March, 1922), eldest son of Capt Gilbert Cecil Pelly (1892-1961), & his wife Constance Margery Glazebrook (1892-1952), by whom she had issue, four sons, Richard, Nicholas, Patrick and Gilbert, and a daughter, Alexandra.
Her husband died 8 July, 2003.
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Francis Thomas (Frank) O'Neill, who died in Australia, 10 July, 2024, aged 97, was an Australian Olympic swimmer of the 1950s who went on to become a poolside instructor to the rich and famous, including Greta Garbo and Ginger Rogers.
He was born 30 September, 1926, son of Tom O'Neill and his wife Etta. Although O’Neill, who had won two silver medals at the 1950 Commonwealth Games and captained the Australia swim team at the 1952 Olympics, was greatly over-qualified to be teaching doggy-paddling stars of stage and screen, the work was financially rewarding and suited his penchant for mixing with high society.
He married 30 September, 1950 (div 1954), Patricia Enid Cavendish (born 30 June, 1925), scion of the Barons Waterpark, daughter of Brigadier-General Frederick William Lawrence Shepperd Cavendish, CMG, DSO (1877-1931), a polo-playing officer known as 'Caviar' Cavendish, and his wife, Enid Maude Cameron (nee Lindeman) (she died 5 January, 1973), a scion of the Croesus-rich Australian wine making family, daughter of Charles Lindeman. Enid was known as 'the Stucco Venus'.
O'Neill was a colourful character who married into great wealth, and he taught his famous clients in the glamorous surroundings of a large villa on Cap Ferrat on the French Riviera, which belonged to his mother-in-law, Enid, Countess of Kenmare. She was a member of the Australian Lindeman’s Wine family and nicknamed “Lady Killmore” by Somerset Maugham because she had outlived four husbands: successively, an American shipping tycoon, Roderick Cameron, of New York, a polo-playing soldier called “Caviar” Cavendish, the 1st Viscount Furness (1883-1940), and the 6th Earl of Kenmare (1891-1943).
O’Neill was great company, a wonderful raconteur and mesmerising to women. He had met the globetrotting Pat Cavendish in 1949 on board a ship to Sydney. They were wed in Nice the following year, but he had a loose attitude to their marriage vows, and though she initially put up with his extra-marital flings she was soon seeking a legal separation. Her mother, Lady Kenmare, hired a female private detective to dig some dirt on her son-in-law, but his charm was so great that the detective fell in love with him and refused to provide any evidence. None the less, a divorce eventually took place in 1954.
Once Frank and Pat got back together in 1969, and re-married, they based themselves in Somerset West in the Western Cape, although he continued to spend much of his time in Sydney, from where he sourced horses for Pat to breed and race in South Africa. In 2000, aged 73, he was given the honour of taking part in the Sydney 2000 Olympic torch relay, running his leg in Goulburn, New South Wales. By 2008 he and Pat had drifted apart again, and he returned to live full-time in Manly, moving in with a girlfriend, Jan Garrett, who looked after him until his death. Patricia O'Neill died in 2019.
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The engagement was announced 12 August, 2024, between Marcus William Howard-Vyse (born 9 December, 1994), scion of that landed gentry family, elder son of Charles Aubrey Howard-Vyse (born 14 March, 1962), head of that family, by his wife, the former Clare E. King (born 1963), & Miss E.Z. (Lily) Alessandroni, daughter of Signore Leonardo Alessandroni of Urbania, Italy, and Ms Ann Flynn of Rome, Italy.
Marcus Howard-Vyse descends from a marriage between General Richard Vyse (born 1746), who married Anne Howard, descended from the Barons Howard of Effingham.
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The engagement was announced 13 August, 2024, between Hal Julian George Crichton (born 16 February, 1995), scion of the Earls of Erne, second son of Desmond Cadogan Crichton (born 10 March, 1953), of Pilton, Northamptonshire, and his wife the former Emma Jane Crawshay (born 1955), & Zoë Caroline Twiston-Davies (born 24 October, 1992), third daughter of Audley William Twiston-Davies (born 13 November, 1950), of Kilpeck, Herefordshire, and his wife the former Hon Caroline Mary Elaine Harbord-Hamond (born 15 December, 1960), daughter of the 11th Baron Suffield (1922-2011).
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The Rev Richard Graham Borthwick, who died at Nedlands, Australia, 1 August, 2024, aged 85, was a scion of the Borthwick baronets; born at Inverell, NSW, 26 Nov, 1939, son of John Mayo Borthwick (1910-1943), and his wife the former Lois Margaret Fitzroy Bayly (1915-2009), scion of the Bayly baronets. He was unmarried.
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William Henry Champion Streatfeild, who died 17 July, 2024, aged 89, was a scion of that landed gentry family.
He was born in 1934, son of William Champion Streatfeild (1898-1968), and his wife the former Ursula Maud Tylee (1908-2007), scion of that landed gentry family; and married in 1974, Sarah Delahoy Jennings (1946-2008), daughter of Reginald Angus Unwin Jennings (1899-1987), and his wife the former Miriam Parnell (1912-1983), by whom he had a son, Will, and daughter, Janet.
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Sir George Bull, who died 21 July, 2024, aged 88, was the businessman behind creation of Diageo, a salesman who climbed the corporate ladder to become one of the UK’s leading marketeers.
Bull was chairman of J Sainsbury PLC 1998-2004; at IDV Ltd he was a director from 1972, Deputy Managing director 1982-84; Chief Executive 1984-92; Chairman 1988-92; Chairman and Chief Executive of Grand Metropolitan , Food Sector 1992-93, Groupn Chief Executive 1993-96, Chairman 1996-98, Grand Metropolitan PLC; Joint chairman of Diageo 1997-98; non executive director, United Newspapers, 1993-1998, &c. Was President of the Advertising Association, 1996-2000.
Bull was appointed a Chevailier, Legion d'Honneur (France 1994), and knighted 1998.
George Jeffrey Bull was born 16 July, 1936 in London, younger son of Michael Herbert Perkins Bull, QC (1906-1962), and his wife the Hon Noreen Madeleine Mary Hennessy (1909-2004), who was daughter of the first Baron Windlesham, OBE (1877-1953), and worked for Dorling Advertising. Their elder son, Matthew Bull (1932-2002), was a major in the Coldstream Guards who served in Northern Ireland and Cyprus, and later managed the regimental band.
Michael Bull returned to Canada, his birthplace, to defend his own father successfully against a murder charge in 1939, leaving Noreen to bring up the boys. He never returned. Fortunately, her family were wealthy, enabling her to stay in wings of large houses, or in smaller houses on the family’s estates. George’s uncle, the Hon Frederick Hennessey (1906-69), an executive in the family brandy firm, became a substitute father figure.
In 1954 entered National Service with the Coldstream Guards. He became a second lieutenant, served in Germany and the UK and took a short service extension to be available to go to the Suez Canal zone.
He married 7 January, 1960, Thérèse “Tessa” Freeland, daughter of Patrick Freeland, of Zimbabwe. His wife was a floor model at Fortnum & Mason whom he had met at a House of Lords ball. They had four sons and a daughter. Sebastian and Justin went into banking, Rupert followed his father into the drinks industry, Cassian was a logistics manager for a piano company and Tamsin went into advertising.
In 1992 Tessa suffered a catastrophic accident when accompanying Bull to a drinks industry conference in Palm Springs, California. Out on a stroll, a palm tree fell on her, breaking multiple bones and putting her in hospital for six months. Doctors thought she would never walk again, but she determinedly overcame her injuries despite lifelong pain. She died 4 October, 2023, aged 86.
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The Hon Sir Alistair Simon Orr-Ewing, 2nd Baronet, died 6 August, 2024, aged 84.
He was born 10 June, 1940, son of Charles Ian Orr-Ewing (1912-1999), Conservative MP for Hendon and government minister, created a baronet (1963) and then a life peer (1971) as Baron Orr-Ewing, by his wife the former Joan Helen Victoria McMinnies (1917-2010). He succeeded to his father's baronetcy, 19 August, 1999.
Orr-Ewing married 8 February, 1968, Victoria Cameron (born 1946), daughter of Keith Cameron, of Fifield House, Milton-under-Wychwood, Oxon, by whom he had issue, two sons, Archie and Jamie, and a daughter, Georgina. The elder son, Archie Cameron Orr-Ewing, who was born 29 March, 1969, succeeds as 3rd baronet.
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Katherine Alexandra [Katie] Meadows [nee Liddell, born 4 June, 1983], wife of Lloyd Meadows, gave birth to a son, Rupert Mark, 3 August, 2024, in Dubai, a brother for twins Hector Wilfred and Toby Ignatius, who were born 19 March, 2021.
Lloyd Meadows is the elder son of Mr Neil Meadows and Mrs Susan Meadows, of Surrey, and Katie Meadows is a granddaughter maternally of the 6th Viscount Knutsford [b 27 Dec, 1926]
6th Viscount Knutsford [b 1926] > Lucy Holland-Hibbert [b 1956] > Katie Liddell [b 1983] > Rupert Meadows (b 2024)
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The life peerage recently conferred upon Caroline Valerie Pidgeon, MBE (born 29 September, 1972) - Lately Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the London Assembly, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baoness Pidgeon, of Newington in the London Borough of Southwark, 12 Aug 2024.
The life peerage recently awarded to the Rt Hon John Francis Spellar PC (born 5 Aug 1947) - Lately Member of Parliament for Warley and formerly Comptroller of the Household in the Whips’ Office, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Spellar, of Smethwick in the County of the West Mindlands.
Lord Spellar will be introduced to the House of Lords, 2 September, 2024.
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Johanna, Baroness Mountevans, widow of the 3rd Baron, died 26 Juy, 2024.
She was the former Johanna Maria Keijzer, daughter of Antonius Franciscus Keijzer, of The Hague, The Netherlands, and married 20 July, 1974, the then Hon (Edward Patrick) Broke Andvord Evans (born 1 February, 1943), son and heir of the 2nd Baron Mountevans (1918-1974), and his wife the former Deirdre Grace O'Connell (who died 16 Sept, 1997). Her husband succeeded his father, 12 December, 1974, as 3rd Baron Mountevans (Peerage of the UK, cr 1945), and died without issue, 21 December, 2014.
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Sara Cator, who has died at her home at Woodbastwick, Norfolk, aged 70, was wife of Henry Cator, scion of that landed gentry family.
She was born Sara Elizabeth Keeling, 6 July, 1954, with an interesting lineage, daughter of Brian Patrick Morgan Keeling (1927-1990), and his wife the former Elizabeth Frances Hanbury-Williams (born 6 December, 1929), scion of that landed gentry family.
Sara's maternal grandfather, Sir John Coldbrook Hanbury-Williams, CVO (1892-1965), married 1 November, 1928, Princess Zenaida Mikhailovna Cantacuzene (1908-1980), daughter of Maj-Gen Prince Mikhail Mikhailovitch Cantacuzene Count Speransky (1875-1955), and his wife Julia Grant (1876-1975), a granddaughter of United States President Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), 18th President of the United States, 1869-77.
Sara Keeling married 6 February, 1982, Henry Greville Cator (born 26 March, 1956), second son of John Cator (1926-1999), of Woodbastwick Hall, Norfolk, head of that landed gentry family, by his 1st wife the former Elizabeth Jane Kerrison (1932-1992), by whom she had a son, Thomas (born 14 Oct, 1989), and three daughters, Henrietta (born 10 Oct, 1983), Charlotte (1985-1986), and Sabrina (born 16 Jan, 1987).
President Ulysses Grant (1822-85) > Major Gen Frederick Dent Grant (1850-1912) > Julia Grant (1876-1975) > Princess Zenaida Cantacuzene (1908-80) > Elizabeth Hanbury-Williams (b 1929) > Sara Keeling (1954-2024)
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[Jocelyn] Octavia Grimston [nee Wayne, born 1987], wife of Alexander Rupert Ponsonby Grimston [born 1989], scion of the Barons Grimston of Westbury, gave birth to a daughter, Tosca Evelyn Constantia, 30 July, 2024, a sister for Theodore Alexander Frederick, who was born 16 October, 2019, and for Willoughby Rupert Blyth, who was born 24 February, 2022.
Alexander is the 2nd son of Major the Hon [Gerald] Charles Walter Grimston [born 1953], late the Scots Guards, by his wife the former Katherine Evelyn Kettle.
Alexander Grimston is a nephew of the 3rd [unmarried] Baron. His father is heir presumptive to the peerage.
Octavia Grimston is a daughter of William S. Wayne, by his wife the former Gillian A. Blyth.
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Gillian (Gee) Jones-Parry (nee Stern)m who died 23 July, 2024, aged 94, was the widow of Capt Michael Jones-Parry, head of that landed gentry family.
She was born Gillian Stern in 1930, daughter of Reginald Carter Stern (1899-1975), of Arden, Weybridge, and his wife the former Doris Mary Simpson (1900-1978); and married 24 May, 1952, Capt (Thomas Parry) Michael Hughes-Morgan (born 27 April, 1928), second son of Sir John Vernon Hughes-Morgan, 2nd Baronet (1900-1969), and his wife Lucie Margaret Jones-Parry (1897-1987).
Her husband assumed by deed poll, 1 March, 1961, the surname of Jones-Parry in lieu of his patronymic, & died 24 February, 1982, aged 53.
Gee Jones-Parry leaves two daughters, Caroline (born 1953), and Sarah (born 1961), and was predeceased by her only son, David (1954-2014).
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The engagement was announced 10 August, 2024, between George Edward Bullard (born 22 October, 1988), younger son of John Gerald Bullard (born 17 October, 1952), of Gressenhall, Norfolk, by his wife the former Tania Jane Fenwick (born 1955), scion of that landed gentry family, & Valentine Cosima Akerman (born 1994), only daughter of (James) Hugo Strange Akerman (born 1960), of Brightling, East Sussex, and his wife the former Valentine Bridget Arthur (born 11 September, 1968), scion of the Arthur baronets.
The bride-to-be is descended from the Earls of Harewood:-
2nd Earl of Harewood > Rt Hon William Saunders Sebright Lascelles > Sir Frank Cavendish Lascelles > Florence Caroline Lascelles > Mary Elizabeth Spring Rice > Thomas Sigismund Raynor Arthur > Valentine Bridget Arthur > Valentine Cosima Akerman
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The engagement was announced 8 August, 2024, between William Martin Theodore Hawke, 12th Baron Hawke (born 23 June, 1995), son of the late 11th Baron Hawke (1950-2009), and his wife the former Bronwen Mae James (born 1962), and Olivia Pamela Churton (born 4 May, 1992), daughter of Guy Dunstan Churton (born 1956), of Shropshire, and his wife the former Fiona M. Pelham Burn (born 1960), scion of that landed gentry family.
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The 3rd Baron Colwyn, CBE, who died 4 August, 2024, aged 82, was a long-serving Conservative peer whose interests ranged from dentistry to jazz – as a dentist and jazz aficionado, Colwyn championed fluoride in water, chaired the Lords’ refreshment committee and was a Deputy Speaker in the Lords.
Colwyn was a prominent London dentist who sat in the Lords as a Conservative from 1966 to 2022; he was one of the 90 hereditaries elected to stay on in 1999 when most were excluded.
Colwyn chaired the Lords’ refreshment committee from 1997 to 2004, and from 2007 until his retirement in 2022 was a Deputy Speaker. He was vice-chairman of the all-party group on dentistry – and co-chairman of the group on jazz, his great passion.
He was born Ian Anthony Hamilton-Smith, 1 January, 1942, to the 2nd Baron Colwyn (1914-1966), and his first wife Miriam Gwendoline Ferguson (who died 8 Jan, 1996). His great-grandfather had been a Liberal supporter, made a baronet by Asquith in 1912 then given a peerage by Lloyd George five years later.
Tony’s childhood was overshadowed by seismic events. His stockbroker father, wounded during war service with the Gordon Highlanders, was cashiered in 1947 after admitting five charges of gross impropriety with Italian men on Ischia and at Turin. Lady Colwyn testified to the court-martial over her husband’s moral character, but the marriage broke up soon after; the 2nd Baron married twice more, but there were no further children.
Colwyn succeeded to his title on his father’s death, 29 May, 1966. Initially his attendance was low-key, but by the time Tony Blair’s administration removed most of the hereditaries, Colwyn’s work in the upper house was felt to merit his staying on. From 2006 to 2010 he served on the Science and Technology Select Committee. He was also president of the all-party group for Complementary and Integrated Healthcare, and chairman of the group for Emergency Ambulance and Paramedic Services.
In 2005 he took the chair of the financial services company Campbell Montague International, but he stepped down three years later because of his commitments in the Lords.
Colwyn at various times was president of the Natural Medicines Society, the Huntington’s Disease Association, the Arterial Health Foundation, the Society for Advancement of Anaesthesia in Dentistry and the Metropolitan Branch of the British Dental Association; chairman of Raw FM and Banbury Local Radio; patron of the Research Council for Complementary Medicine and a trustee of the Portman Estate.
He was appointed CBE in 1989.
Lord Colwyn married, firstly, 31 May, 1964 (div 1977), Sonia Jane Morgan (died 4 September, 2006), 2nd daughter of Peter Henry Geoffrey Morgan, of Upton-on-Severn, co. Worcester ; and married 2ndly, 24 March, 1977, Nicola Jeanne Tyers, daughter of Arthur Tyers, of The Avenue, Sunbury-on-Thames, co. Middlesex.
He is survived by Lady Colwyn, with a son Craig, and a daughter, Jacqueline, from his first marriage and two daughters, Kirsten and Tanya, from his second union. His eldest daughter, Jacqueline, a former love of pop star Robbie Williams, is married to the actor Sean Pertwee.
He is succeeded as 4th Baron by his son, the Hon Craig Peter Hamilton-Smith, born 13 October, 1968.
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The engagement was announced 5 August, 2924, between Thomas de Grey (born 23 January, 1997), scion of the Barons Walsingham, the only son and heir of the Hon Robert de Grey (born 21 June, 1969), of Merton, Norfolk, and his wife the former Josephine Elizabeth Haryott (born 1968), & Malina Mihalache, daughter of Mr and Mrs Mitica Mihalache, of Vorona, Botosani.
Thomas de Grey's father, Robert, is heir apparent to his father, the 9th Baron Walsingham (born 21 February, 1925).
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Rosemary Lea, who died 29 July, 2024, aged 97, was a scion of the Lea baronets.
She was born 27 June, 1927, the second daughter of Sir Thomas Claude Harris Lea, 3rd Baronet (1901-1985), and his wife the former Barbara Katherine Pell (died 1945), a granddaughter of Sir Edward Greene, 1st Baronet (1842-1920).
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Caroline S. Townshend (nee Finnegan), wife of Hugh Charles Townshend (born 1984), scion of that landed gentry family, gave birth to a son, Lochlan William Charles, 2 July, 2024, a brother for Florence Camilla (born 30 July, 2019), and for Rory George J (born 2021).
Hugh is the elder son of Robert Charles Townshend (born 1956), and his wife the former Fiona Elizabeth Mary Fraser (born 1957).
Lochlan's descent from the Rowley Bts:-
Sie Charles Rowley, 6th Baronet (1891-1962) > Alethea Rowley (b 1922) > Robert Townshend (b 1956) > Hugh Townshend (b 1984) > Lochlan Townshend (b 2024)
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Pandora Lorna Mary Cooper-Key, who died 22 July, 2024, aged 51, was a scion of that landed gentry family, and a half-sister of Cressida Bonas, sometime squeeze of Prince Harry.
Cooper-Key was a ceramicist and accessories designer, who was first diagnosed with cancer more than two decades ago.
She was born in 1973, a daughter of (Kevin) Esmond Peter Cooper-Key (1943-1985), and his former wife the Lady Mary Gaye Georgiana Lorna Curzon (born 21 February, 1947), daughter of the 6th Earl Howe (1908-1984); and she married in 2006, Matthew C. Mervyn-Jones, son of Mr & Mrs Philip Mervyn-Jones, of Knowl Hill, Berkshire, by whom she had issue, two sons, Bow Esmond Philip, born in 2007, and Nestor Cecil Harmsworth, born in 2010.
Pandora was the first daughter of Lady Mary Gaye Curzon, whose father was the 6th Earl Howe. In 1971, Curzon married Esmond Cooper-Key, the grandson of the 2nd Viscount Rothermere, the owner of The Daily Mail and one of the richest people in Britain. She was born two years later but the marriage was short-lived. Esmond died of a brain tumour aged 42 when Cooper-Key was 11.
Lady Mary Gaye went on to marry another three times, giving Cooper-Key the expansive family that she has credited with helping her through her various illnesses. Her half-siblings from her mother’s marriage to the businessman John Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe are Jacobi, a party organiser, Isabella Calthorpe, the daughter-in-law of Richard Branson, and Georgiana, an artist. Lady Mary Gaye married Jeffrey Bonas in 1988 and the couple had one daughter, Cressida Bonas, who rose to national prominence as a socialite and the former girlfriend of the Duke of Sussex.
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Lady Hordern, who died 27 July, 2024, was the widow of Sir Peter Hordern (1929-2024), scion of that landed gentry family.
She was born in 1938 as Elizabeth Susan Chataway, daughter of Sir James Denys Percival Chataway (1892-1953), and sister of the athlete and politician Sir Christopher Chataway (1931-2014), & married in 1964, the Rt Hon Sir Peter Maudslay Hordern, MP, PC, who served as the Conservative MP for Horsham from 1964 to 1974, for Horsham and Crawley from 1974 to 1983 and for Horsham once again from 1983 to 1997. He was appointed to the Privy Council of the United Kingdom in 1993. He was appointed a deputy lieutenant for West Sussex.
Her husband was born 18 April, 1929, elder son of Charles Hubert Hordern (1896-1974), and his wife the former Dorothy Donovan, and a grandson of the Rt. Rev. Hugh Maudslay Hordern (1868-1949), sometime Bishop of Lewes. Sir Peter died on his 95th birthday, 18 April, 2024.
Lady Hordern leaves a son, James (born 1967), who married Lady Elspeth Mackay, daughter of the 4th Earl of Inchcape, and a daughter, Sara (born 1971). She was predeceased by another son, Andrew (1965-2009).
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The engagement was announced 2 August, 2024, between Hamish Peter Alexander MacLeod (born 1995), third son of Alastair Roderick Donald MacLeod (born 19 October, 1960), of Forres, Morayshire, by his late wife the former Anna Mary Caroline Brett (1965-2003), & Hannah Bub, daughter of Dr and Mrs Peter Bub, of Schwerin, Germany.
Hamish is descended from the Persse landed gentry family.
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The marriage took place on Saturday 27 July, 2024, at St Nicholas’ Church, Brockenhurst, between Matthew T. Dathan, son of Martin & Philippa Dathan, of Stourbridge, West Midlands, and Harriet Claire Line (born 14 Nov, 1992), daughter of Michael Robert Line, of Warsash, Hampshire, and his wife the former Primrose Miranda Margaret Harvey (born 26 June, 1953), descended from the Rycroft baronets.
Maj Sir Richard Rycroft, 5th Baronet > Alice Juliana Rosamond Rycroft > Primrose Miranda Margaret Harvey > Harriet Claire Line
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Juliet Elise Quilter, who died 23 July, 2024, aged 59, was a scion of the Quilter baronets.
She was born 10 July, 1965, the daughter of Sir Anthony Raymond Leopold Cuthbert Quilter, 4th Baronet (1937-2014), and his wife the former (Mary) Elise Gooch (1940-2013), scion of the Gooch baronets, and was unmarried. Her brother is Sir Guy Quilter, 5th Baronet (born 13 Apr, 1967).
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The Baron Fellowes, GCB, GCVO, QSO, PC, who has died aged died 82, was private secretary to Queen Elizabeth II, and brother-in-law of Diana, Princess of Wales.
Robert Fellowes was Private Secretary to the Queen 1990-99, having been deputy private secretary from 1986, and a member of the Royal Household from the Queen’s Silver Jubilee year in 1977.
He was born at Sandringham, 11 Dec, 1941, elder son of the land agent to King George VI at his Norfolk country estate, Sir William Fellowes (1899-1986), scion of that landed gentry family, and his wife Jane Charlotte Ferguson (1912-86), scion of that landed gentry family, and a great-aunt of Sarah Duchess of York.
He married in 1978, the Lady Cynthia Jane Spencer (born 11 February, 1957), 2nd daughter of the 8th Earl Spencer (1924-1992), of Althorp House, Northampton, and his first wife the Hon Frances Ruth Burke Roche (1936-2004), scion of the Barons Fermoy, by whom he had issue, a son the Hon Alexander Fellowes (born 23 March, 1983), and two daughters, the Hon Laura (born 19 July, 1980), and the Hon Eleanor (born 20 Aug, 1985).
Fellowes was sworn of the Privy Council in 1990, and was an Extra Equerry to Queen Elizabeth II until Her Majesty’s death in 2022. He was Secretary & Registrar, Order of Merit 2003-2022.
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