Parry-Crooke/Eve engagement

 The engagement was announced 18 October, 2024, between James Pierre M. Parry-Crooke (born 1991), scion of that landed gentry family, of Friston House, son of Simon Bagot Parry-Crooke (born 1955), of Clapham, and his wife the former Isobelle Savornin, & Ruth Sarah M. Eve (born 1992), daughter of Richard M. Eve, of Oxford, and his wife the former Brid O'Kelly.

The Parry-Crooke descent from the Earls of Kinnoull:-

The 8th Earl of Kinnoull > Most Rev Hon Robert Hay-Drummond > Very Rev Edward Hay-Drummond > Edward William Auriol Drummond-Hay > James de Vismes Drummond-Hay > Louisa Drummond-Hay > Catherine Bucknall > Imogen Tuker > Simon Parry-Crooke > James Parry-Crooke

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Crote/Warde-Norbury engagement

 The engagement was announced 18 October, 2024, between Owen Robert J. Crote (born 1997), son of Mrs Val Crote, of Chiswick, and Isobel Cordelia Emily Warde-Norbury (born 22 February, 2000), scion of that landed gentry family, of Hooton Pagnell, daughter of Mark William Antony Warde-Norbury (born 29 July, 1962), of London, and his wife the former Lucianne Wainwright.

Isobel Warde-Norbury is a granddaughter of William George Antony Warde-Norbury (1936-2014), and his wife, Philippa Margery Warde-Norbury,(who died 10 January, 2015, aged 76), & was a scion of the Cooke baronets {Bt, E, 1661, of Wheatley Hall, Yorks}. 

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Timothy Roger Victor Hancox Neame 1938-2024

 Timothy Roger Victor Hancox (Tim) Neame, who died 13 October, 2024, was a scion of that Irish landed gentry family.

He was born in 1938, son of Colonel Lionel George Cotterill Neame (1897-1980), and his first wife the former Daisy Hancox (who married as her 3rd husband, 13 Apr, 1949, Lt-Col the 2nd Viscount Allenby (1903-84), and died 1985); and married in 1965, Susan Carol Shaw, daughter of T.W. Shaw, of Manor Farm House, Wokingham, Berkshire, by whom he had three sons, Richard, Christopher and Henry. 

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McMicking/Borrows engagement

 The engagement was announced 16 October, 2024, between George Henry Borrows (born 1993), son of Simon Alexander Borrows (born 1959), of Puttenham, Surrey, and his wife the former Sally Anne Weston (born 1957), and Isabella Jane Sophia (born 1994), daughter of Charles Neil McMicking (born 1965), of Miltonise, New Luce, Wigtownshire, and his wife the former Diana Jane Hall (born 1966).

Isabella is a descendant of the Earls of Cork & Orrery.

Edmund Boyle, 7th Earl of Cork (1742-1798) > Vice-Admiral Hon Sir Courtenay Boyle (1770-1844) > Charles Boyle (1806-85) > Lt-Col Lionel Boyle (1851-1920) > Richard Courtenay Boyle (1902-86) > Belinda Boyle (b 1940) > Charles McMicking (b 1965) > Isabella McMicking (b 1994)

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James Kemp Nairne 1923-2024

Maj. James Kemp Nairne, late the Seaforth Highlanders, died 13 October, 2024, aged 100.

An officer in the Seaforth Highlanders (ret. 1960), he was with The Scotsman between 1960 and 1965.  He was a Queen's Messenger between 1965 and 1968. The Queen's Messengers are couriers employed by the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). They hand-carry secret and important documents to British embassies, high commissions, and consulates around the world. Many King’s Messengers were retired Army personnel. Messengers generally travel in plain clothes in business class on scheduled airlines with their consignment.

Maj. Nairne was born 7 December, 1923, son of Lt.-Col. Charles Sylvester Nairne (1880-1966), and his wife the former Edith Dalmahoy Kemp (1888-1975).

He was a younger brother of Sir Patrick Nairne, GCB, MC, PC (1921-2013). sometime Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Security and Master of St Catherine's College, Oxford (1981–88). A member of the Privy Council, appointed in 1982 when he became a member of Lord Franks' official inquiry into the Falklands War, and a governor of the Ditchley Foundation.  He was Chancellor of the University of Essex from 1982 to 1997.

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Nigel Edward Corbally Stourton 1937-2024

 Nigel Edward Corbally Stourton, who died 5 October, 2024, aged 87, was a scion of the Lords Mowbray, Segrave & Stourton.

He was born 9 March, 1937, son of the Hon Edward Planagenet Joseph Corbally Stourton (1880-1966), and his wife the former Beatrice Cicely Page (1907-2004), and was a grandson of Alfred, 20th Baron Stourton, 24th Baron Segrave, and 23rd Baron Mowbray (1829-1893). 

He married firstly, 22 Oct, 1960 (div 1975), Frances Deirdre Morton Lancaster (who died 1 Oct, 2016), daughter of Maj. Patrick William Morton Lancaster (1914-86), of Wapsbourne Manor, Sussex; married 2ndly, at Cape Town, South Africa, September, 1995, Lavinia, Baroness Fermoy (born 18 April, 1941), widow of the 5th Baron Fermoy (1939-1984), and daughter of Maj. John Pitman (1907-43), and his wife the former Elizabeth Cattanach Donaldson (1908-1997).

His second wife was an aunt (by her marriage to Lord Fermoy) of Diana, Princess of Wales.

From his first marriage he leaves two sons, Edward (born 1961), Nicholas (born 1963), and was predeceased by a son, Patrick (1965-2002).

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Clementine Winifred Mary Bowyer (born 2024)

Verena Elpseth Crawley Bowyer [born 1992, nee Smith], wife of Robert J. Bowyer, and scion of the Woollcombe landed gentry family, gave birth to a daughter, Clementine Winifred Mary, 12 September, 2024, a sister for Angus Peregrine Oliver, who was born 16 May, 2022.

Robert Bowyer is a son of Mr & Mrs Jonathan Bowyer, of Coniston, Cumbria.

Verena Smith is the eldest daughter of Oliver Geoffrey Woollcombe Smith [born 12 August, 1947], of Healaugh, near Tadcaster, Yorkshire, scion of the Samuel Smith brewing family, by his wife the former Priscilla Mary Elspeth Crawley [born 1959].

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Griffin/McWhirter engagement

The engagement was announced 14 October, 2024, between Charles Radclyffe D. Griffin, son of Lieutenant-Colonel Ralph R.D. Griffin (born 1963), of Monmouth, Monmouthshire, and his wife the former Louise M. Morris, & Christabel Katharine de Marie (Kitty) McWhirter (born 1996), fifth daughter of the late Iain C.H. McWhirter (b 1959), and his wife the former Clare Louise Gadsden (born 29 June, 1960, now Mrs Clare McWhirter, of Aldeburgh, Suffolk), descended from the Haggerston baronets.

Kitty McWhirter is a granddaughter paternally of (Alan) Ross McWhirter (1925-1975), the author, compiler and publisher, who was editor and compiler of the Guinness Book of Records. He was assassinated by the IRA, 27 November, 1975.

Kitty's mother is a daughter of Sir Peter Gadsden, GBE (1929-2006), Lord Mayor of London, 1979-80, and his wife Belinda Ann de Marie Haggerston (born 23 Sept, 1933), daughter of Sir Hugh Carnaby de Marie Haggerston, 11th Baronet (1906-71).

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Charles Weston Brooke 1951-2024

 Charles Weston Brooke, who died 6 October, 2024, aged 73, was a scion of the Brooke baronets of Almondbury, Yorks.

He was born 27 January, 1951, the second son of Major Sir John Weston Brooke, 3rd Baronet (1911-1983), by his wife the former Rosemary Nevill (1912-1979), scion of the Earls (later Marquesses) of Abergavenny.

He married in 1984, Tanya Elizabeth Maurice, daughter of Antony Thelwell Maurice, of Lloran, Robertson, New South Wales, Australia, by whom he had issue, a son John Weston 'Jock' Brooke (born 23 Feb, 1992), and two daughters, Nicola (born 1985), and Emily (born 1988).

Charlie Brooke was the younger brother and heir presumptive to his elder brother, Sir Alistair Weston Brooke, 4th Baronet (born 12 Sept, 1947).

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Rinalda Malvina Maitland-Titterton 1940-2024

 Rinalda Malvina Maitland-Tittterton (nee Baird), who died 7 October, 2024, aged 84, was a scion of the Earls of Kintore & Viscounts Stonehaven.

She was born 17 April, 1940, the eldest child of Squadron Leader the Hon Robert Alexander Greville Baird, RAF (1910-1943), and his wife the former Dorviegelda Malvina MacGregor(1910-1997), and was a granddaughter of the 1st Viscount Stonehaven, GCMG, DSO, PC (1874-1941), and his wife Ethel, suo jure Countess of Kintore (1874-1974), 10th holder of the Scottish earldom.

She married 23 April, 1963, Major David Henry Sandford Maitland-Titterton, TD (born 1933), son of Maj David Maitland-Titterton (1904-1988),  an officer of arms, scion of a landed gentry family, who was an officer of arms in the Court of the Lord Lyon, serving as Falkland Pursuivant from 1969 to 1971, Ormond Pursuivant from 1971 to 1982 and Marchmont Herald between 1982 and his death in 1988, by his wife the former Mary Etheldritha Audrey Leslie (1908-  ), scion of that landed gentry family, by whom she had issue, a son Rupert (born 28 Aug 1965), and a daughter, Shân Gelda Jane 'Tiddy' (born 10 Nov, 1967).

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Sir Geoffrey Pattie, PC 1936-2024

 Sir Geoffrey Pattie, PC, who died 8 October, 2024, aged 88, was the former Conservative MP for Chertsey and Walton, 1974-97, a member of the Privy Council, and a junior minister in the Thatcher administration.

He was born 17 January, 1936, & educated at Durham School, and St Catharine's College, Cambridge where he obtained an MA Honours Degree in Law  and was later made an Honorary Fellow of the College. He then joined the army, becoming a captain in the Royal Green Jackets. Pattie was chairman of the SCL Group. He served with the Queen's Royal Rifles 1959-66 and achieved the rank of captain. He served as honorary colonel of the 4th Battalion, Royal Green Jackets since January 1996. Pattie was a director at advertising agency Collett Dickenson Pearce from 1966 until 1979, as managing director from 1969 to 1973. During the 1990s he held several senior marketing positions in companies belonging to General Electric Company, including Marconi Defence Systems and was Marketing Director of the group itself from 1997–99.  He was senior partner at Terrington Management retiring in December 2015.

In 1967 Pattie was elected to the Greater London Council as one of four councillors representing the London Borough of Lambeth. He served a single three-year term, stepping down in 1970. After being beaten by Labour's Tom Driberg at Barking in 1966 and 1970, Pattie was elected as Member of Parliament for Chertsey and Walton in February 1974 – a seat he held until his retirement in May 1997.

In May 1979, he was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Defence (RAF). From January 1983 until September 1984 he was then appointed to Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Defence Procurement and then served as Minister of State for Defence Procurement. He continued his public service as Minister of State for Industry until 1987, with responsibility for Science, Civil Aviation, Space and Technology.

He was appointed to the Privy Council in the 1987 New Year Honours. Immediately after he left ministerial office he was created Knight Bachelor in the 1987 Birthday Honours List. He was vice-chairman of the Conservative Party in 1990.

He was elected an Honorary Fellow of St Catharine's College, Cambridge in 2007.

He married 1 Oct, 1960, Tuëma Caroline Eyre-Maunsell (born 12 April, 1938), daughter of Charles William Eyre-Maunsell, of Lisnarick, Co Fermanagh, scion of that Irish landed family, by his wife the former Honor Mabel Purser, by whom he had issue.

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Iain Alexander Gunn of that Ilk, MBE (1933-2024), Chief of the Clan Gunn

 Iain Alexander Gunn of that Ilk, MBE, Chief of the Clan Gunn, died in Caithness, 9 October, 2024. He was 91.

He was born 25 March, 1933, son of John Bain Gunn (1893-1946), and his wife the former Annie Eleanor Smith.

He was a solicitor and director of the General Council of British Shipping 1976-91, a deputy lieutenant for Caithness. He married in 1963, Aline Lavender James (born 1933), by whom he has issue, a son, John William Gunn of Banniskirk, yr (born 15 Aug, 1964), and a daughter, Helen Mary Aline.

His wife, known as Bunty, and as Bunty James was one of the presenters of the late 1960's and 1970's educational ITV children's series "How" along with Jack Hargreaves, Jon Miller and Fred Dinenage.

On 25 September 2015, the Lord Lyon King of Arms for Scotland issued an interlocutor recognizing Iain Alexander Gunn of Banniskirk as Chief of Clan Gunn. He became Iain Alexander Gunn of that Ilk, Chief of Clan Gunn. At a Family Convention, held in Orkney on July 18, 2015, a petition to the Lyon Court requesting this recognition was approved and sent to the Lyon for action. For the first time in 230 years the Clan has a recognized Chief. Iain previously served as Commander of Clan Gunn for over forty-three years. Iain Alexander Gunn of Banniskirk was appointed the second Commander of Clan Gunn, by commission of Lord Lyon on 9 June 1972. He was Secretary of the Clan Gunn UK Society on its establishment in 1961. The first Commander was his paternal uncle, William Gunn of Banniskirk, who held the title from 1967 to 1968. In 1978, the previous Chief of Clan Keith and the then Commander of Clan Gunn signed a peace treaty at the site of the Chapel of St. Tayrs, ending the feud between the two clans which began in 1478. The Clan Gunn is a highland Scottish clan associated with lands in northeastern Scotland, including Caithness,

 Sutherland and, arguably, the Orkney Isles. Clan Gunn is one of the oldest Scottish Clans, being descended from the Norse Jarls of Orkney and the Pictish Mormaers of Caithness.

His son now succeeds to the clan chieftainship.

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Mirabel Cecil (nee Walker) (died 2024)

 Mirabel Cecil (nee Walker), who died 5 October, 2024, aged 80, was the widow of Hugh Peniston Cecil (1941-2020), scion of the Marquesses of Salisbury.

She was the former Mirabel Walker, daughter of Richard Fife Walker, OBE [1910-2001], of The Close, Withington, Gloucestershire, by wife the former Christine Mabel Wilkes [1909-1968], and married 20 Oct, 1972, Hugh Peniston Cecil (born 29 December, 1941),  the second son of Lord [Edward Christian] David Cecil, [1902-86], by his wife the former Rachel Mary Veronica MacCarthy [1909-82], and he was a grandson of the 4th Marquess of Salisbury [1861-1947]. Mirabel's brother-in-law was the actor Jonathan Cecil [1939-2011].

Mrs Cecil leaves issue, two sons, Conrad [born 1973], and David [born 1978], and two daughters, Clementine [born 1975], and Stella [born 1984].

He husband died 11 March, 2020, aged 78.

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Jasper William Meadows Clutterbuck (born 2024)

Louisa Alice J. Clutterbuck (nee North, born 1990), wife of Jack Rupert Meadows Clutterbuck [born 1990], scion of that landed gentry family, gave birth to a son, Jasper William Meadows, 8 October, 2024.

Louisa is a daughter of Mr & Mrs William North, of Tedstone Delamere, Herefordshire, and Jack Clutterbuck is the eldest son of the late Hugh Meadows Clutterbuck [1959-2011], by his former wife the former Camilla Nicholson [1962-2018]

Jasper is descended from the Barons Sudeley, Faringdon, &c.

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Wiggin/O'Boyle engagement

 The engagement was announced 12 October, 2024, between George Robert Wiggin (born 1994), scion of the baronets of that name, son of David Peter Wiggin (born 5 January, 1960), of Bentworth, Hampshire, and his wife the former Susan Emma Burrowes (born 4 Apr, 1963), and Kate E. O'Boyle, daughter of Mr Brian O'Boyle, of London, and Mrs Barbara O'Boyle, of London.

George Wiggin is descended from Sir Henry Wiggin, 1st Baronet (1867-1939), and from the 1st Viscount Chilston (1851-1926).

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The 7th Earl of Portarlington 1938-2024

 The Earl of Portarlington, 7th Earl in the Peerage of Ireland, died 6 October, 2024. He was 86. 

Lord Portarlington who had homes in Australia and at Gledswood, Melrose, Roxburghshire, was the 7th Earl (created 1785), and also Viscount Carlow (Peerage of Ireland, cr 1776), and Baron Dawson (Peerage of Ireland, cr 1770).

George Lionel Yuill Seymour Dawson-Damer was born 10 August, 1938, the elder son of Air Commodore George Dawson-Damer, styled Viscount Carlow (born 20 Dec, 1907 - died on active service 17 Apr, 1944), and his wife the former Peggy Cambie  (who married 2ndly, 14 Nov 1945 (div. 1956) Peter George Hodges Nugent, of Willards Farm, Dunsfold, co. Surrey;  and died 1 Nov 1963), 2nd daughter of Charles Cambie, of Toronto, Canada. 

 Educated at Eton College, he served as a Page of Honour to Queen Elizabeth II between April 1953 and February 1955. In 1956 he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Irish Guards.  In 1965 he was appointed a director of G. S. Yuill and Company in Sydney, Australia.

George Dawson-Damer was styled Viscount Carlow from his father's death in 1944 until he succeded his grandfather the 6th Earl of Portarlington in his three peerages, 4 July, 1959.

The 7th Earl married 26 July, 1961, Davina Windley, 1st daughter of Sir Edward Henry Windley KCMG KCVO (1909-72), of Quenington, co. Gloucester, sometime Governor of The Gambia, by his wife Patience Anne Sergison-Brooke, only child by his first wife of Gen Sir Bertram Norman Brooke later Sergison-Brooke KCB KCVO CMG DSO.

The 7th Earl had issue, three sons, (1) Charles, Viscount Carlow (born 6 Oct, 1965), a Page of Honour to Queen Elizabeth II 1979-81; (2) Capt the Hon Edward Dawson-Damer, CVO (born 10 Nov, 1967), Equerry to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother 1992-1994; and (3) the Hon Henry Dawson-Damer (born 5 Aug, 1971), and one daughter, Lady Marina Davina Dawson-Damer (born 8 Aug, 1969). The eldest son, Charles, now succeeds to his father's three Irish peerages.

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The 5th Baron Delamere 1934-2024

  The Baron Delamere, who has died aged 90, was the fifth baron in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, a landowner in Kenya, of the family who were central figures in the 'Happy Valley Set'.

Hugh George Cholmondeley was born 18 January, 1934, son of the 4th Baron Delamere (1900-1979), and his first wife the former Phyllis Anne Montagu Douglas Scott (1904-1978), scion of the Dukes of Buccleuch & Queensberry (and a granddaughter of the 5th Duke of Buccleuch and the 7th Duke of Rutland). The Delameres were members of the Kenyan 'Happy Valley' set, made famous by the book and film 'White Mischief'.

Hugh Cholmondeley's step-mother, was the femme fatale and beauty Diana Colvile (former wife of Vernon Motion;  widow of Sir Henry John Delves Broughton, 11th Bt.;  former wife of Gilbert de Preville Colvile; who died in 1987), 2nd daughter of Seymour Caldwell, of Hove, co. Sussex. Before she married the 4th Baron, she was at the centre of a story so shocking that it was turned into the best-selling book White Mischief, later a film starring Greta Scacchi as the libidinous socialite. In 1941 Diana's lover the Earl of Erroll, a dissolute womaniser – played by Charles Dance in the film – was shot dead at the wheel of his car on the outskirts of Nairobi. But there were no witnesses to the shooting and the crime remains unsolved.

As the Hon Hugh Cholmondeley he married 11 Apr 1964, Mrs Ann Willoughby Tinné (former wife of Michael Patrick Tinné), & only daughter of Sir Patrick Muir Renison GCMG (1911-1965), of Freeman's Farm House, Mayfield, co. Sussex, sometime Governor of Kenya, by whom he had one son.

The Old Etonian succeeded his father as 5th Baron Delamere, 13 April, 1979. His homes were the vast 200,000 acre estate at Sugoni Farm, Soysambu, Elmenteita, Kenya, and in London's Holland Park Road.

Lord and Lady Delamere had one son, the Hon Thomas Patrick Gilbert Cholmondeley (born 19 January, 1968).  In April 2005 at Kenya Thomas Cholmondeley accidentally shot and killed an undercover Kenya Wildlife Service ranger, believing him to be an armed robber, and in May 2009 at Kenya he was convicted of manslaughter for killing a poacher on his estate in May 2006. He died from a cardiac arrest, 16 August, 2016.

Lord Delamere is succeeded in the peerage (created in 1821), by a grandson, Hugh Derrick Cholmondeley, who was born 9 November, 1998.

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Baroness Smith of Cluny: peerage gazetted

 The life peerage recently conferred upon Catherine Smith KC, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baroness Smith of Cluny, of Cluny in the City of Edinburgh. She was introduced into the House of Lords, 10 October, 2024.

Baroness Smith of Cluny (born 4 May, 1973), the Advocate General for Scotland, 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.

Baroness Smith's sister is Sarah Elizabeth Smith (born 22 Nov, 1968), the Scottish radio and television journalist with the BBC. She is BBC News's North America Editor.

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Davidson/Manners marriage

 The marriage took place, 5 October, 2024, at  St James's Church, St James's Square, London, between Capt Adam Davidson, eldest son of Geoffrey and Jill Davidson, & the Hon Catherine Mary Patricia (Kate) Manners (born 1992), second daughter of the 6th Baron Manners (born 5 May, 1956), and his first wife the former Lanya Mary Patricia Heitz (now Dr Lanya Manners).

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Life peerage for Poppy Gustafsson

The King has been pleased to approve the appointment of Poppy Gustafsson OBE as Minister of State (Minister for Investment) jointly in the Department for Business and Trade and HM Treasury. His Majesty has also been pleased to signify His intention of conferring a Peerage of the United Kingdom for Life on Poppy Gustafsson OBE, 10 October, 2024.

Poppy Clare V. Gustafsson (nee Prentis), was born 24 August, 1982.

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Kaberry/Packe-Drury-Lowe engagement

 The engagement was announced 10 October, 2024, between Maximillian James Michael Kaberry (born 1998), eldest son of the late James Winston Kaberry (1970-2020) and his late wife the former Sarah Patricia King (b 1972), and Lilyana Julietta Packe-Drury-Lowe (born 4 April, 2000), scion of that landed gentry family, daughter of Edward Packe-Drury-Lowe (born 1965), of Prestwold Hall, Loughborough, Leicestershire, and his wife (Sheila) Juliet Cursham (born 1960).

The bride-to-be is a descendant of the Earls of Kilmorey:-

2nd Earl of Kilmorey (1787-1880) > Francis, Viscount Newry (1815-51) > Lady Lucy Needham (d 1917) >John Drury-Lowe (1881-1949) > John Packe-Drury-Lowe (1905-60) > Simon Packe-Drury-Lowe (1938-2015) > Edward Packe-Drury-Lowe (b 1965) > Lilyana Packe-Drury-Lowe (b 2000)

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Judith Henrietta Chetwood (née Pelham) 1943-2024

 Judith Henrietta Chetwood (née Pelham) who died 3 October, 2024, aged 81, was a scion of the Earls of Chichester.

She was born 13 March, 1943, the second daughter of Maj Anthony George Pelham (1911-1969), and his wife the former Ann Margaret Bergengren (who died 1990), daughter of Axel Bergengren, of Borås, Sweden; and married 26 October, 1968, Christopher John Chetwood (1940-1990), son of Leonard William Chetwood, of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, by whom she had issue, three sons, Thomas, Henry and Matthew, and a daughter, Henrietta.

5th Earl of Chichester > Hon Henry Pelham > Maj Anthony Pelham > Judith Pelham

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Lt.-Col. Christopher Richard Henry Wells 1929-2024

 Lt.-Col. Christopher Richard Henry Wells died 28 September, 2024, aged 95.

He was born 24 February, 1929, son of Harry Robert Wells (1902-1986), and his wife the former Katharine Augusta Wrey (1902-1991), scion of the Wrey baronets; and married 9 March, 1957, Elizabeth Anne Daglish, daughter of Lt.-Col. Edward Robert Daglish (1900-1991), of Stowmarket, Suffolk, by whom he had issue, a son, Christopher (born 3 Dec, 1958), and a daughter, Philippa (born 1961).

Sir Henry Wrey, 10th Bt > Edward Wrey > Katharine Wrey > Christopher Wells.

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Lieutenant-Colonel Christopher Richard Henry Wells 1929-2024

Lieutenant-Colonel Christopher Richard Henry Wells, died 28 September, 2024, aged 95.

He was born 24 February, 1929, son of Harry Robert Wells (1902-1986), and his wife the former Katharine Augusta Wrey (1902-1991), scion of the Wrey baronets; and married 9 March, 1957, Elizabeth Anne Daglish, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Robert Daglish (1900-1991), of Thurston, Suffolk, by whom he had a son, Christopher (born 3 Dec, 1958), and a daughter, Philippa (born 1961).

Sir Henry Wrey, 10th Bt (1829-1900) > Edward Wrey (1875-1933) > Katharine Wrey > Christopher Wells (1929-2024)

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Janet Odey 1934-2024

 Janet Odey (nee Carver), died 4 October, 2024, aged 90.

She was born at Driffield in 1934, a daughter of John Henton Carver (1902-68) and his wife the former Juliet Clitherow (1906-1969), scion of the Clitherow and Gurney landed gentry families; and married in 1954, (George) Richard Odey (1929-1993), of The Kennels, Hotham Hall, son of George William Odey, CBE, DL (1900-85), sometime Conservative MP for Howden and later Beverley, and his first wife the former Dorothy Christian Moir (1898-1975), by whom she had issue, a son, (Robin) Crispin William Odey (born 1959), the hedge fund manager and founder of Odey Asset Management, who married firstly 1985 (div 1986), Prudence Murdoch, daughter of Rupert Murdoch, and married 2ndly, 1991 (div 2021) Nichola Pease, a scion of the Pease baronets, and two daughters, Caroline Jane Odey (1956-2014), who married in 1982, the Hon Henry Montgomery (born 1954) (now the 3rd Viscount Montgomery of Alamein), and Virginia Odey (born 1962).

Her mother, Juliet Clitherow (born 3 Oct, 1906), was the elder of the three daughters, of Lieut-Col Thomas Claud Gurney, DSO, DL (1880-1963) of the Life Guards, sometime Private Secretary to HRH Prince Arthur of Connaught. Lt-Col Gurney, scion of the Gurneys of North Runcton assumed the surname and arms of Clitherow in lieu of his patronymic, on succeeding to the Hotham Hall estate. He married in 1906, Muriel Frances Sykes (who died in 1937).

Janet Odey's paternal grandfather was Maj. William Henton Carver (1868-1961), Conservative MP for Howdenshire 1926-45.

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The Baron Leitch 1947-2024

 Lord Leitch, a life Baron, died 5 October, 2024. He was 76.

He was a businessman who was Group Chairman of FNZ, a global wealth management technology platform. He was also a Labour life peer, sitting in the House of Lords from 2004 until his death.

Alexander Park Leitch was born 20 October, 1947.

Career: In 1965, "Sandy" Leitch started his career as a computer programmer, writing the first ever UK life assurance ‘search engine’ program in 1967. He remained in the insurance industry throughout his early career, rising to become Chief Executive of Allied Dunbar, Executive Chair of Eagle Star and Threadneedle Asset Management before they were eventually merged with Zurich Financial Services in 1998. He was then appointed as a Chief Executive of Zurich Financial Services. He retired in 2004.

Leitch was raised to the peerage for life in June, 2004, taking the title Baron Leitch, of Oakley in Fife.  

In 2017 he set up the ‘What Is More?’ Foundation, to encourage spiritual and multi-faith debate. He also became a patron of the Stroke Association and the Medical Aid Films Charity where he was formerly founding Chairman. Lord Leitch was Deputy Chair of Business in the Community and received the Prince of Wales Ambassador award for charity work. Leitch was Group Chairman at FNZ, the global wealth management technology platform which partners with over 800 financial institutions and 8,000 wealth management firms. He was appointed to this role in 2013, and saw the company’s market value grow from $200 million to $20 billion over his tenure.

Leitch was previously founder and Chairman of Intrinsic Financial Services. Additionally, he was chairman at Scottish Widows plc, deputy chairman at Lloyds Banking Group plc, and on the Board of Old Mutual Wealth. He was a Trustee of the Lloyds Banking Group Charitable Foundation.

He was Chancellor of Carnegie College, chairman of a new think tank called ‘The Centre for Modern Families’ and strategic adviser to a Prince of Wales charity called PRIME. He was chairman of BUPA 2007-2018, and on the board of Lloyds Banking Group plc (2005–2012) – a board member with a variety of roles including Chairman of Scottish Widows plc, LBG Risk Oversight Committee Chair, LBG senior independent director and finally as LBG deputy chair. With Paternoster UK Ltd (2006–2010) – non-executive director for four years before selling the company to Goldman Sachs. Chair and chief executive, Zurich Financial Services UK, Ireland, South Africa and Asia Pacific. Chair of the Association of British Insurers. At United Business Media plc (2005–2007) – as a non-executive director and senior independent director. Medical Aid Films – Founding Chair of infant and maternal mortality charity. He served as a Trustee of National Galleries of Scotland. He was Chair of Stonar School in Wiltshire, and Trustee of the Philharmonia Orchestra. He was Deputy Chair of the Commonwealth Education Fund.

Lord Leitch leaves a widow Noelle. He had three daughters Fiona, Jacqueline and Joanne from his first marriage, and a young daughter Kathleen and two sons from his second marriage. 

He was a Freeman of the City of London. He had an honorary doctorate in business administration and a fellowship from Carnegie College.

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Service of Thanksgiving for Lady Saltoun

 A Service of Thanksgiving will be held at St Peter’s Episcopal Church, Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, on 25 November, 2024, for the Lady Saltoun, widow of a cousin of the King, who died last month aged 93.

Lady Saltoun was the twenty first holder of a Scottish peerage, and until her retirement in 2014 she was the only holder of a lordship of Parliament who had a seat in the House of Lords as an elected hereditary peer. 

Lady Saltoun, of Cairnbulg Castle, Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, was, as a daughter-in-law of Lady Patricia Ramsay, a member of the Royal Family, and a regular visitor to Balmoral, and frequently seen on the platform of the Highland Games at Braemar as a guest of her husband's cousin, Queen Elizabeth II. The Braemar Gathering attended by the King and Queen is to take place on Saturday 7 September, 2024.

Lady Saltoun (pronounced Salton) was the Chief of the Name and Arms of Clan Fraser since 1 May 1984, by decree of the Court of the Lord Lyon. She was also the head of the Scottish lowland family the Frasers of Philorth.

The Saltoun title was created in 1445 for Sir Lawrence Abernethy, descendant of Hugh, Hereditary Abbot of the Pictish Abbacy of Abernethy on Tay, extant in 1172. The 4th Lord Saltoun fought at Flodden and escaped. On the death in 1669 of Margaret Abernethy, the title went to her cousin Alexander Fraser, a faithful supporter of both Charles I and Charles II, and has remained with the Frasers of Philorth ever since.

Flora Marjory Fraser was born 18 October, 1930, the only daughter of the 20th Lord Saltoun, MC, DL, JP (1886-1979), of Cairnbulg Castle, and his wife the former Dorothy Geraldine Welby (1890-1985), scion of the Welby baronets.

An elder brother, Lt Alexander Fraser, Master of Saltoun, MC, Grenadier Guards, was killed in action in February, 1944, aged 22, leaving Flora as heiress presumptive to her father's peerage.

She married 6 October, 1956, Capt Alexander Arthur Alfonso David Maule Ramsay of Mar, of the Grenadier Guards (born 21 December, 1919), scion of the Earls of Dalhousie, a godson of the then Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII and Duke of Windsor) and of Alfonso XIII, King of Spain, the only child of Admiral the Hon Sir Alexander Robert Maule Ramsay, GCVO, KCB, DSO (1881-1972), and his wife HRH Princess (Victoria) Patricia Helena Elizabeth of Connaught, CI, GCStJ (1886-1974), who on her marriage was authorised by Royal Licence to relinquish the style of royal highness and title of princess, and by another royal warrant was granted the style of Lady Patricia Ramsay, with precedence immendiately before marchionesses of England.

She succeeded her father in the Scottish peerage, 31 August, 1979.

Flora's husband succeeded his aunt Princess Arthur of Connaught, Duchess of Fife in the Mar Lodge estate, Aberdeenshire, and became the laird of Mar and was authorised by the Lord Lyon to add the designation 'of Mar' to his surname.

Lady Saltoun, as Chief of the Name and Arms of Fraser retained that name on marriage. Her husband died 20 December, 2000, the day before his 81st birthday. She died 3 September, 2024.

The last major royal event at which Lady Saltoun was present was the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in Westminster Abbey in 2011. The King and Lord Lyon King of Arms had to be informed of her death before it could be made public, but the news was leaked several hours before.

Lady Saltoun leaves three daughters, the Hon Katharine Fraser (who retained that surname on her marriage), the Hon Alice, and the Hon Elizabeth. The eldest daughter, born 11 October, 1957), a goddaughter of Queen Ingrid of Denmark and the late Princess Mary, Princess Royal, succeeds to the Lordship of Saltoun (Peerage of Scotland, created 28 June, 1445).

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The Most Rev Timothy Radcliffe to become a prince of the church

The Holy See has announced that Timothy Radcliffe is to be one of a group of 21 men to be installed as cardinals of the Catholic Church on 8 December, 2024.

Timothy Peter Joseph Radcliffe (born 22 August, 1945), is a scion of the Radcliffe baronets, formerly of Rudding Park, near Harrogate. He is as grandson of Sir Everard Joseph Radcliffe, 5th Baronet (1884-1969), of Rudding Park, and Lady Radcliffe (nee Marguerite Magdalen Ashton Case).

Timothy Radcliffe is an English Catholic priest and Dominican friar who served as Master of the Order of Preachers from 1992 to 2001. He is the only member of the order's English Province to hold that office. Radcliffe served as director of the Las Casas Institute of Blackfriars, Oxford, which promotes social justice and human rights.

The Most Rev Timothy Radcliffe is the third son of Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh John Reginald Joseph Radcliffe (1911-1993), and his wife the former Marie-Therese [Mariquita] Pereira (1916-2005), a descendent of the Lords Mowbray, Segrave & Stourton and the Lane Foxes of Bramham Park, near Wetherby.

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Bateman/Paravicini engagement

 The engagement was announced 5 October, 2024, between Thomas Euan Bateman (born 1996), youngest son of Mark R. Bateman, of Petersfield, Hampshire, and his wife the former Amanda Jane Kench, & Sophie Mary E. Paravicini (born 1997), eldest daughter of Charles Vincent Somerset Paravicini (born 21 June, 1968), of Midhurst, West Sussex,  and his wife the former Lucia Francesca Laurie (born 1969).

Sophie Paravicini is a great-niece of Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles, former husband of HM Queen Camilla.

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Dr Harriette Virginia Charlotte Kevill-Davies 1976-2024

Dr Harriette Virginia Charlotte Kevill-Davies, who died in Chicago, 30 September, 2024, aged 48, was a scion of that landed gentry family, and descended from King Charles II, via her Beauclerk ancestors; she was born in 1976, daughter of the Rev Christopher Charles Kevill-Davies (born 30 November, 1944), and his wife the former Sally V. Mount.

Aubrey Beauclerk, 6th Duke of St Albans (1765-1815) > Lady Mary Beauclerk (1791-1845) > Hon Henry Amelius Coventry > Mary Augusta Henrietta Coventry >Ronald Arthur Hopwood > Virginia Louise Hopwood >Rev Christopher Kevill-Davies (b 1944) > Dr Harriette Kevill-Davies (1976-2024)

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The Earl of St Andrews appointed Senior Grand Warden, United Grand Lodge of England

The strong ties that bind the Royal House of Windsor with freemasonry have recently been strengthened by a senior appointment in the United Grand Lodge of England, the governing body or the majority of freemasons in England, Wales, and the Commonwealth of Nations.

In a poignant ceremony in London the Duke of Kent, Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England, installed his elder son, the Earl of St Andrews, as Senior Grand Warden. Traditionally the holder of the office of Senior Grand Warden, when a royal, has later succeeded to the office of Grand Master. The appointment of the 62 year-old Lord St Andrews comes at a time when the failing health of the Duke of Kent has been the cause of much speculation as to who would follow as head of UGLE.

George Philip Nicholas Windsor, styled Earl of St Andrews (born 26 June, 1962), is a former diplomat and a great-grandson of King George V and Queen Mary. He was a member of the Diplomatic Service in New York and Budapest. Lord St Andrews became chancellor of the University of Bolton in 2017. He is the trustee of the Next Century and Global eHealth foundations and patron of the Welsh Sinfonia. He is the elder son of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, and his wife the former Katharine Worsley and is the heir-apparent to his 88 year-old father. He is 42nd in the line of succession to the throne. 

The earl will be the first non-royal Duke of Kent in centuries. Only the grandchildren in the male line of the sovereign are HRH Prince/Princess. As a great-grandson of the monarch (George V) Lord St Andrews, will be His Grace the 3rd Duke of Kent, and rank with the dukes in the peerage of the United Kingdom.

St Andrews married in January, 1988, the Canadian-born Sylvana Palma Tomaselli (born 28 May, 1957), a noted historian and lecturer at the University of Cambridge. The couple have three children, a son, Edward, Lord Downpatrick (born Dec 1988), and two daughters, Lady Marina Charlotte (born Sept 1992), and Lady Amelia (born August, 1995).

Two members of the Royal Family are currently prominent freemasons and both are cousins once removed of His Majesty King Charles III, scions of the Kent branch of the Royal House of Windsor.  Prince Edward, Duke of Kent (born 9 Oct, 1935), is the tenth and longest-serving Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE), which serves as the governing body of Freemasonry in England and Wales. The duke was initiated into the Royal Alpha Lodge No. 16 on 16 December 1963. Two years later, he was chosen to be the Lodge’s Worshipful Master for 1965 and 1966. In 1967, he became the Grand Master of the UGLE during its 250th anniversary. He has now filled the role of Grand Master for 57 years, and continues to play and active role at Grand Lodge.

Prince Michael of Kent (born 4 July, 1942), younger brother of the Duke of Kent, is also an active  freemason. The prince holds two offices, the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons and Provincial Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Middlesex from 1982. His Freemasonry career matches the same footsteps taken by his elder brother before. He was initiated into the fraternity in 1974 in Royal Alpha Lodge No. 16. Over the years, Prince Michael has become a member of different lodges and held numerous prestigious positions. 

With the King's cousin, the Duke of Kent, now 88, as the most senior freemason in England and Wales, and with the duke's elder son now as Senior Grand Warden it is safe to say that that House of Windsor's adherence to the brotherhood will continue for many years to come.

 In the past, many members of the Royal Family were members of the craft. George, Prince of Wales (1762-1830), later the Prince Regent and King George IV, was the first British Monarch to be regonised as a freemason. He was born in 1762 at St James’ Palace in London, the eldest son of King George III  and Queen Charlotte, and he succeeded his father on 29th January 1820 as the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. George, as Prince of Wales served as the Grand Master of the Premier Grand Lodge of England between 1790 and 1813. George IV died in June, 1830.

In January 1813, Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex (1773-1843), younger brother of King George IV, became Grand Master of the Premier Grand Lodge of England, and in December of that year his brother, Prince Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent and Strathearn (1767-1820) , became Grand Master of the Antient Grand Lodge of England. On 27 December 1813 the United Grand Lodge of England was constituted at Freemasons' Hall, London with the Duke of Sussex as Grand Master. In 1842, he founded the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution, and died 21 April, 1843.

King George’s IV was succeeded by his brother, William, Duke of Clarence, who reigned as King William IV between 1830 and 1837. The Duke of Clarence began his masonic career on 9 March 1786 when he was initiated into Prince George Lodge No. 86 at Plymouth. He was raised in rank to the Past Grand Master of Premier Grand Lodge in May 1787. Later, the Duke of Clarence became a permanent master of Prince of Wales’ lodge in 1827 until 1830 when he resigned after succeeding to the crown.  

Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, the eldest son of Queen Victoria, was initiated into the brotherhood on 20 December 1868. The ceremony was conducted in the Swedish Grand Master’s Lodge at the Royal Palace in Stockholm by Charles XV, King of Sweden and Norway. Albert Edward, known as 'Bertie' later became a member of the Royal Alpha Lodge No. 16, where he served as Master of the Lodge from time to time. Afterward, he became a member of several other Lodges, including the Apollo University Lodge No. 357, which is recognized as the Lodge for Oxford University Members. His life long journey in Freemasonry was remarkable. In 1874, he was elected to be the Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England. After his accession to the throne as King Edward VII, in January, 1901, he was raised to the position of Protector of the craft. King Edward VII was also the First Grand Principal of the Supreme Grand Chapter in 1874-1901.

King Edward VII's younger brother, Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught & Strathearn (1850-1942), succeeded his brother as Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England in 1901, and remained in the post for 38 years, until his resignation in 1939.

The Duke of Connaught was succeeded as Grand Master by his great-nephew, Prince George, Duke of Kent (1902-1942), who was killed in a flying accident on active service, in August, 1942.

Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII and Duke of Windsor),  was initiated into  freemasonry in 1919, as a member of the Household Brigade Lodge, No. 2614. King Edward VIII abdicated the throne in December, 1936, and his younger brother and successor the Duke of York described the moment of change in his own words as, ‘On entering the room, I bowed to him as King…when he and I said goodbye we kissed, parted as Freemasons and he bowed to me as his King,’ This statement is a clear indication of how the monarchs deeply valued Freemasonry ways and rituals. 

Prince Albert, Duke of York, later King George VI, the second son of King George V and Queen Mary was initiated into freemasonry on 2 December, 1919. He was initiated into Navy Lodge, No. 2612, after his service in World War I. At the time, he was a lieutenant of the Royal Navy. During the occasion, he said, ‘I have always wished to become a Freemason, but owing to the war, I have had no opportunity before of joining the Craft.’ This marked the beginning of his utmost dedication to the order.

Two years later, he was positioned as a permanent Master of Navy Lodge. He continued his mason career by joining other lodges. In 1923, he was inducted as the Senior Grand Warden of the United Grand Lodge of England.  He served as the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Scotland between 1936 until his coronation in May, 1937. 

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (1921-2021), the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, was initiated into the Navy Lodge No. 2612. However, he did not seem to have a passionate interest in involving himself with the organization. He contined to pay his annual Masonic subscription fee until his death in April, 2021, aged 99, even though he rarely associated himself with the business of the Craft.  

List of Grand Masters, United Grand Lodge of England:-

(1) HRH The Duke of Sussex, KG 1813-43

(2) The 2nd Earl of Zetland, KG 1844-1870

(3) The 1st Marquess of Ripon, KG, GCSI, CIE, PC 1870-74

(4) HRH The Prince of Wales, KG 1874-1901

(5) HRH The Duke of Connaught & Stratghearn 1901-39

(6) HRH The 1st Duke of Kent KG 1939-42

(7) The 6th Earl of Harewood, KG 1942-47

(8) The 10th Duke of Devonshire, KG 1947-50

(9) The 11th Earl of Scarbrough KG 1951-67

(10) HRH The 2nd Duke of Kent, KG 1967-

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Violet Essex Pinney (née Cholmondeley) 1932-2024

Violet Essex Pinney, who died 24 September, 2024, aged 91, was a scion of the Barons Delamere.

She was born Violet Essex Cholmondeley, 4 December, 1932, daughter of Brigadier-General Hugh Cecil Cholmondeley (1852-1941), and his second wife the former Violet Maud Parker (1892-1993), scion of the Earls of Macclesfield; and married 23 May, 1964, Maj William James Pinney (1931-2010), son of Colonel George Ambrose Pinney, and his wife the former Silvia Crawford, by whom she had a son, Hugh Charles William (born 11 Nov, 1966).

The 1st Baron Delamere > Hon Thomas Cholmondeley > Brig Gen Hugh Cholmondeley >Violet Cholmondeley

Violet's father was born 172 years ago. 

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Phyllis Lilian Hardinge 1925-2024

 Phyllis Lilian Hardinge, who died 17 September, 2024, aged 99, was a niece of the 5th Earl of Norbury, and scion of the Hardinge family (now Viscount Hardinge).

She was born in 1925 the daughter of George Nicholas Hardinge (1865-1943), and his wife the former Lady Lilian Frances Graham-Toler, who was raised to the rank of an earl's daughter in 1944 following her brother's succession to the peerage. Lady Lilian died in 1974.

Phyllis was a niece of the 5th Earl of Norbury (1893-1955), and a cousin of Noel, the 6th Earl (1939-2000).

Her home was at Bramdean Common, Alresford, Hampshire.

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Minette Jane Finch-Knightley, MBE 1950-2024

 Minette Jane Finch-Knightley, who died 10 September, 2024, aged 74, was a scion of the Earls of Aylesford.

She was born 29 May, 1950, 1st daughter of the Hon Anthony Heneage Finch-Knightley (1920-1995), and his wife the former Susan Mary Palmer; and was a granddaughter paternally of Charles, 10th Earl of Aylesford (1886-1958), and was a niece of the 11th Earl (1918-2008). She married in 1983 (div) Nicholas Redfern, by whom she had one son, James Heneage Stuart Redfern (who was born 17 Sept, 1983).

Minette Finch-Knightley was appointed MBE in 1990,  for services to the Huntingdon and Peterborough Wishing Well Appeal, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children.

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Sharon/Weatherall engagement

 The engagement was announced 4 October, 2024, between Capt Amit Sharon, son of Jonathan and Irit Sharon, of Tel Aviv, Israel, & Ruby Susanna Weatherall (born 1994), second daughter of (Edward) Percy Keswick Weatherall (born 1957), of Cowhill, Dumfries, by his wife the former Clara Mary Johnston (born 1960).

Ruby is a granddaughter of Capt Anthony Edward Weatherall (1924-2013), of Cowhill, Dumfries, and his wife the former Amelia Sophie Keswick (1930-2017), scion of the dynasty that built the Far Eastern trading empire Jardine Matheson.

Ruby is a niece of Isobel Weatherall who married (and divorced) the 18th Earl of Strathmore & Kinghorne, and of Catherine Weatherall, who married (and divorced) the Hon Nicholas Soames (now Baron Soames of Fletching).

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Mylo Oscar Jenner Jerram (born 2024)

Harriet Jerram (née Kerchiss)wife of George Edward Jenner Jerram (born 1986), gave birth to a son, Mylo Oscar Jenner, 18 September, 2024, a brother for Jasper Roman Jenner Jerram (born 21 June, 2022)

George Jerram is a son of Christopher Edward Jenner Jerram, and and wife the former Caroline Margaret Jenyns (born 1954), scion of that landed gentry family.

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The Baron Ouseley 1945-2024

  The Lord Ouseley, who died 2 October, 2024, aged 79, was a life peer who ran public authorities, including local councils and was an adviser and reviewer of public services organisations.

Herman Ouseley had expertise in equality and diversity issues and was the Chairperson of several charitable organisations as well as being a Patron for dozens of organisations. He was at the forefront of challenging institutional racism in organisations and was an advocate on behalf of individuals from disadvantaged and deprived backgrounds. He sat in the House of Lords as a crossbencher from 2001 until his retirement in 2019. He was also included in the 2003 list of "100 Great Black Britons". The peer was a local government officer between 1963 and 1993. He was appointed as the first principal race relations advisor in local government. From 1981, he served as Principal Race Relations Adviser and head of the Greater London Council's Ethnic Minority Unit. He later became Chief Executive of the London Borough of Lambeth and the former Inner London Education Authority (the first black person to hold such an office), responsible for over 1000 schools and colleges across the capital. Ouseley was chair and chief executive in the Commission for Racial Equality from 1993 to 2000.

Herman George Ouseley was born 24 March, 1945. He was knighted in 1997, and raised to the peerage for life in 2001 as Baron Ouseley, of Peckham Rye, in the London Borough of Southwark.

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Christopher Harry (Kit) Cator 1942-2024

 Christopher Harry (Kit) Cator, who died 20 September, 2024, aged 82, was a scion of that landed gentry family, of Woodbastwick, Norfolk.

He was born 9 September, 1942, the second son of Lt-Cdr Peter Harry Cator, VRD, RNR (1908-79), and his wife the former Kythe Susan Blofeld (1909-94), scion of that Norfolk landed gentry family; and married in 1967, Caroline E. Green, by whom he had issue, a son, (James) Ralph Albemarle Cator (born 1971), and a daughter, Isabel Mary Cator (born 1969).

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William Francis Fisher 1935-2024

 William Francis Fisher died 26 September, 2024, aged 89.

He was born in 1935, son of Brigadier Arthur Francis Fisher, CBE, DSO (1899-1972), and his wife the former Margaret Charlotte Kirkpatrick (1904-1986), scion of that Irish landed gentry family. He married 2 June, 1962, Alexandra Goudime-Levkovitsch (born 3 March, 1940), daughter of Paul Goudime-Levkovitsch (1910-84), and his wife the former Sheila Violet McNeill (1908-1986), a descendant of the Merrie Monarch King Charles II, and from the 6th Duke of Marlborough.

'Bill' Fisher leavers a widow and three children.

King Charles II > 1st Duke of Grafton > 2nd Duke of Grafton > Lord Augustus FitzRoy > 1st Baron Southampton > Hon Georgiana FitzRoy > Hon Charlotte Ponsonby > Fanny Talbot > Charles McNeill > Sheila McNeill > Alexandra Goudime-Levkovitsch

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The 6th Duke of Marlborough > Lady Clementina Spencer-Churchill > Evelyn Green > Paul Goudime-Levkovitsch > Alexandra Goudime-Levkovitsch

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The 13th Marquess of Lothian, PC, KC, DL 1945-2024

 The 13th Marquess of Lothian, PC, KC, DL, who died 1 October, 2024, aged 79, was the first Catholic to become a Scottish Conservative MP; better known as Michael Ancram, he was also one of the architects of peace in Northern Ireland and went on to serve as party chairman under William Hague and deputy leader to Iain Duncan Smith and Michael Howard. Ancram won and lost two Scottish seats before his election in 1992 for Devizes, which he continued to represent after succeeding to his title in 2004. He stood down in 2010.

A most unstuffy grandee, Ancram was a member of the British ski team, and a folk singer who had busked his way round Italy as a student. For Malcolm Rifkind’s 50th birthday party he impersonated Buddy Holly, and at William Hague’s much ridiculed 1997 Shadow Cabinet “bonding session” at Eastbourne, he accompanied a singalong Bridge Over Troubled Water on acoustic guitar.

Michael Andrew Foster Jude Kerr was born 7 July, 1945, the son of the 12th Marquess of Lothian, KCVO (1922-2004) and the former Antonella Newland (1922-2007), daughter of Maj Gen Sir Foster Reuss Newland KCMG CB (1862-1943), of Ditchingham Hall, co. Norfolk, by his wife Donna Nenella Salazar y Munatones, dau. of Conte Michele Salazar.

He was educated at Ampleforth, in Switzerland, at Christ Church, Oxford (where he was a pillar of the Bullingdon Club), and Edinburgh University, where he took an LLB, becoming an advocate in 1970. He was a founder of the Thistle Group, advocating a federal Britain. As the heir to a Marquessate, he was entitled to style himself the Earl of Ancram. Initially, he did, until as a young advocate he found judges addressing him as “my Lord”.

In February 1974 he was elected for Berwickshire & East Lothian, ousting Labour’s Professor John Mackintosh by 540 votes despite a national swing to Labour. That October, Mackintosh won the seat back. By the time Mackintosh died in 1978 and a by-election was called, Ancram – now vice-chairman of the Scottish party – had been adopted for Edinburgh South, where the sitting Tory was retiring.

At the 1979 election Ancram fought off the young Gordon Brown, holding the seat by 2,460 votes. He joined the Energy Select Committee, and from 1980 chaired the Scottish party. He joined Margaret Thatcher’s government after the 1983 election as Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Scottish Office. 

In October 1984 he survived the IRA’s bombing of the Grand Hotel at Brighton. He was in bed when the bomb exploded; rubble blocked the fire escape and it took him some time to get out – discovering three close friends had died.

Michael Ancram became a board member of Scottish Homes. He also chaired Waverley Housing, which managed 1,100 homes, then bought them from Scottish Homes for as little as £1 each. The Public Accounts Committee later ruled the relationship “improper”; Ancram had had no financial interest in it, however.

As Tory fortunes waned in Scotland, Ancram tried for Kensington & Chelsea and Rutland & Melton before being adopted for Devizes, inheriting Charles Morrison’s 20,000 majority; he would champion the constituency’s strong military connections in the House.

Returning to the Commons in 1992, he joined the Public Accounts Committee and chaired the Conservative backbench constitutional committee. He tried to shore up Norman Lamont as Chancellor after “Black Wednesday”, and urged Tories to have the “courage” to support John Major over Maastricht.

Within a year he was back in government, as Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Northern Ireland under Patrick Mayhew; Number 10 called while he was ski-ing at Davos. 

After the Conservatives’ rout in 1997 Ancram backed Hague for the leadership, and became constitutional affairs spokesman as Tony Blair’s government launched its devolution plans and flirted with proportional representation. He accused New Labour of “undermining our constitution in a cynical attempt to consolidate its hold on power”. He became deputy party chairman, then in 1998 chairman. He inherited low morale in the constituencies, and at Central Office following “downsizing” by the party’s chief executive, Archie Norman.

He chaired the Conservatives into the 2001 election, when the party suffered as bad a mauling as four years before. The result was blamed in part on Hague and Ancram turning the election into a referendum on the euro, which in the event Blair’s government never joined.

When Hague stood down Ancram went for the leadership, pledging “a strong, united party with radical policies that will make a difference”. In the first ballot in June 2001, he and David Davis finished joint last with 21 MPs’ votes, against 49 for Michael Portillo, 39 for Duncan Smith and 36 for Kenneth Clarke.

Party rules made no provision for a tie, so a fresh ballot was ordered. This time Ancram polled 17 to Davis’s 18. He then backed Duncan Smith, who overtook Portillo to clinch the leadership. 

Appointed deputy leader and Shadow Foreign Secretary, Ancram castigated Labour’s “shameful inaction” over human rights abuses by Robert Mugabe, and scorned the proposed European Constitution.

When Duncan Smith was forced out in 2003, Ancram was the first senior Tory to commit to Howard, and stayed deputy leader. In the 2005 election his campaigning contributed to the Conservatives finally regaining some ground.

Ancram stayed on, pending the election of David Cameron late that year as Howard’s successor. He also became Shadow Defence Secretary, increasingly critical of Britain’s military presence in Iraq. He returned to the back benches the following year, joining the Intelligence and Security Committee, and in 2010 he left the Commons with a peerage, as Baron Kerr of Monteviot.

Ancram’s elder daughter, Lady Clare, suffered from ME/CFS, until she was successfully treated at the Breakspear Hospital in Hertfordshire. In 2004 he launched the Breakspear Hospital Trust.

He became a Scottish QC in 1996, and deputy lieutenant for Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale in 1990. He succeeded his father, 11 October, 2004, as 13th Marquess of Lothian, 14th Earl of Lothian, 15th Earl of Ancram, 13th Viscount of Briene, 16th Lord Jedburgh, 14th Lord Newbottle, 15th Lord Kerr of Nisbet, Longnewtoun and Dolphinstoun, 13th Lord Ker of Newbottle, Oxnam, Jedburgh, Dolphinstoun and Nisbet, and 8th Baron Ker, of Kershaugh in the County of Roxburgh.

He was created a life peer in 2010 as Baron Kerr of Monteviot, of Monteviot in Roxburghshire.

As Earl of Ancram he married 7 June, 1975, the Lady Theresa Jane Fitzalan-Howard (born 24 January, 1945), younger daughter of the 16th Duke of Norfolk, KG, GCVO, GBE (1908-75), and his wife the Hon Lavinia Mary Strutt, LG, CBE (who died 1995).

His wife succeeded to the Lordship of Herries of Terregles, 7 April, 2017, inheriting the title from her elder sister. They had three daughters, Lady Sarah Margaret (born and died 13 June, 1976), Lady Clare Therese (born 25 January, 1979), heir to her mother's peerage, and Lady Mary Cecil (born 1981).

He is succeeded as 14th Marquess by his brother, Lord Ralph William Francis Joseph Kerr, born 7 November, 1957. The 14th Marquess lives at the family seat, Ferniehurst Castle, Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, and Melbourne Hall, Derby. He married 5 March, 1988, Marie-Clare Black, 2nd daughter of (Michael) Donald Gordon Black, MC (1932-2009), by his wife the former Priscilla M.A. Holt (born 1937). They have four sons and two daughters.

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Sarah Victoria Caulcutt (née Cottrell) (died 2024)

 Sarah Victoria Caulcutt (née Cottrell), died 20 September, 2024. 

She was born circa 1952, a daughter of David Vernon Swynfen Cottrell (1923-2008), and his wife the former Leontine Mariette Dyson Perrins (1923-2019), scion of that landed gentry family; and married firstly, in 1972, Colin Macinnes; married secondly, in 1991, John Clive Willian Avon Caulcutt  (born 1947), son of John Antony Caulcutt (1918-1966), and his wife the former Elsie O.B. von Hartz.

Sarah's brother Mark Swynfen Cottrell (born 1955), married the Hon Fiona Caroline Mary Watson (born 26 Sept, 1953), daughter of the 3rd Baron Manton (1924-2003).

Sarah Caulcutt leaves two daughters from her first marriage, Alice Helen (born 1975), and Emma Charlotte (born 1977), and a daughter from her second marriage, Sophie Marina (born 1991).

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Charles Stephen Napier Crookenden 1957-2024

Charles Stephen Napier Crookenden, who died 6 September, 2024, aged 67, was a grandson maternally of the late 2nd Baron Kindersley.

He was born 3 February, 1957, the second son of Lieutenant-General Sir Napier Crookenden, KCB, DSO, OBE  (1915-2002), and his wife the Hon Patricia Nassau Kindersley (1922-2010), daughter of the 2nd Baron Kindersley (1899-1976); and married 21 February, 1998, Michelle Lynn Ott, daughter of Joseph Ott, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, United States, by whom he had issue, two sons, Patrick (born 14 May, 2001), and his twin Oliver, and a daughter, Grace (born 2005).

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Second child expected for Princess Beatrice & Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi

Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice, Mrs Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi [born 8 Aug, 1988], and Mr Edoardo Alessandro M. Mapelli Mozzi [born London 1 November, 1983], are expecting their second child in the Spring of 2025. 

Edo Mapelli Mozzi is the son of Count Alessandro [Alex] Mapelli Mozzi [born 1951], by his former wife the former Nicola Diana Burrows [born Feb 1956] [now Mrs Nikki Williams-Ellis, MBE].

Princess Beatrice is the elder daughter of HRH The Prince Andrew, Duke of York [born 19 February, 1960], by his former wife the former Sarah Margaret Ferguson [born 15 October, 1959].

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh joined the Duke of York at the scaled down Covid-secure wedding of their granddaughter and Edo Mapelli Mozzi at the Chapel Royal in Windsor Great Park, in July, 2020. Around twenty guests attended the wedding.

The Mapelli Mozzis first child, a daughter Sienna Elizabeth, was born 18 September, 2021.

Edoardo's maternal grandmother, the former Susan Arnot Heath, married firstly, Robert David Burrows [Edo's grandfather], and married secondly, Lieutenant-Col Greville Wyndham Tufnell, CVO [born 1932], of the Grenadier Guards, who has close associations with the Royal Household.

Count Edoardo Alessandro M Mapelli Mozzi (known as Edo) was born in Westminster, 1st November, 1983, son of Count Alessandro (Alex) Mapelli Mozzi, and his former wife the former Nicola Diana [Nikki] Burrows. He has an elder sister Natalia Alice, born in 1981, wife of Mr Tod Yeomans.

His father, who was born in 1951, is a British Olympian, an Alpine skier, took part in several events at the 1972 Olympic Games.

Edo's grandfather was Count Gian Paolo Mapelli Mozzi (1922-80), Italian aristocrat, who married Gigliola Stoppani. Count Gian Paolo was a son of Count Luigi Mapelli Mozzi (1894-1948), who married Nobile Maria Mercedes Baroli.

Count Luigi was a son of Count Paolo Mapelli Mozzi (1854-1921), who married Enrichetta Tarsis dei Conti di Castel d'Agogna (1866-1941). Count Paolo was the son of Count Alessandro Mapelli Mozzi (1815-79) who married Nobile Ippolita Giulino dei Conti di Vialba.

The Mapelli Mozzi name came about from the marriage of Count Alessandro's father, Nobile Gerolamo Mapelli (1785-1842) with Angela Mozzi.

Edo's mother married as her second husband Christopher M.H. Shale, a British businessman and Conservative politician, friend of former prime minister David Cameron. Mr Shale died from natural causes at Glastonbury, in June, 2011. Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie and their parents the Duke and Duchess of York attended Mr Shale's funeral. Mrs Shale married thirdly, the sculptor David Williams-Ellis, a great nephew of Clough Williams-Ellis, the architect.

Mrs Williams-Ellis was awarded the MBE in David Cameron's resignation honours.

Edo has a half-brother, Albemarle Christopher M.H. Shale, ten years his junior.

The Mapelli Mozzi family have several connections to the British aristocracy. Edo's cousin, Edward Ankarcrona, son of Countess Margaretha Mapelli Mozzi, married in 2006, Lady Lucinda Savile, a daughter of the Earl and Countess of Mexborough.

Although he enjoys the title of "Count" he is a British subject and technically cannot use a foreign title in this country. Foreign styles and titles were confined to those who received a Royal Warrant from King George V in 1932.

Edo has a son, Christopher Woolf "Wolfie", born in 2016, from a previous relationship.

The royal baby will be the 14th great-grandchild for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II:-

1. Savannah Anne Kathleen Phillips, born 29 December, 2010

2. Isla Elizabeth Phillips, born 29 March, 2012

3. Prince George Alexander Louis of Wales, born 22 July, 2013

4. Mia Grace Tindall, born 17 January, 2014

5. Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana of Wales, born 2 May, 2015

6. Prince Louis Arthur Charles of Wales, born 23 April, 2018

7. Lena Elizabeth Tindall, born 18 June, 2018

8. Prince Archie Harrison of Sussex, born 6 May, 2019

9. August Philip Hawke Brooksbank, born 9 February, 2021

10. Lucas Philip Tindall, born 21 March, 2021

11. Princess Lilibet Diana of Sussex, born 4 June, 2021

12. Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi, born 18 September, 2021

13. Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank, born 30 May, 2023

14. Baby Mapelli Mozzi 

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Fiona Dawn Cory Vernon 1947-2024

 (Fiona) Dawn Cory Vernon, who died 18 September, 2024, aged 77, was a granddaughter maternally of Sir James Cory, 1st Baronet.

She was born 16 February, 1947, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel William Handley Ferguson (who died 4 Aug, 1972), and his wife the former Jessie Rosalie Cory (1911-1989); and married 17 July, 1969, Greville Edward Mervyn Vernon (born 19 July, 1944), son of Maj Mervyn Sydney Bobus Vernon, MVO (1912-1991), the Grenadier Guards, by his wife the former Lady Violet Mary Baring (1911-1978), daughter of the 2nd Earl of Cromer, GCB, GCIE, GCVO, PC (1877-1953), by whom he had issue, a son, James (born 1971), and two daughters, Zara (born 1973), and Sasha (born 1979).

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