Duke of Westminster and his bride-to-be in Chester

The Duke of Westminster has said he is ‘unbelievably excited’ about his upcoming wedding to Olivia Henson in the couple’s first-ever joint interview during a rare public appearance this week.

The Duke is one of Britain’s wealthiest men, with his calculated wealth of just over £9.7 billion putting him 13th on the 2022 Sunday Times Rich List. Once considered one of the country's most eligible bachelors, he is due to marry Olivia Henson at Chester Cathedral on 7 June, 2024. The King and Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales have been invited to the wedding.

Despite their starry guest list, the couple are surprisingly low-key, and have released just one photograph of themselves together - until now. On 7 May, exactly one month before the nuptials are set to take place, the duke and his bride-to-be visited a number of charities in Chester to see the projects that his organisation, the Westminster Foundation, is funding.

It is expected that perhaps the duke's godson Prince George will be present at the nuptials. The young duke is a fourth cousin once removed of the King. They both have Romanov blood, the duke via his mother Natalia, and the King via the late Prince Philip's Romanov descent.

A spokesperson for the Duke and Miss Henson said: “The couple have chosen the cathedral for both its beauty and long association with the Grosvenor family, including to the Duke personally. Cheshire is the Grosvenor family’s ancestral home and as Miss Henson’s connection to the region continues to grow, they are keen to plan their wedding there.”

The duke's parents, the 6th Duke and Natalia Phillips married at Chester Cathedral, 7 October, 1978, and the Royal Family were there to celebrate the union of one of Britain's wealthiest men and Natalia, daughter of one of Queen Elizabeth II's great friends, the former Georgina Wernher. The duke's aunt, Lady Leonora Grosvenor, married the late 5th Earl of Lichfield at the cathedral, 8 March, 1975, and another aunt, Lady Jane Grosvenor married the 10th Duke of Roxburghe there, 10 September, 1977.

"The Duke and Miss Henson became engaged at Eaton Hall in April 2023, and have been incredibly grateful for the warm messages of congratulations they have received since then."

One of Britain’s wealthiest men, certainly our richest duke, 33,  is godfather to Prince George of Wales, and a close confidante of the Prince and Princess of Wales. He was born 29 January, 1991, the only son of the 6th duke (1951-2016).

Hugh Richard Louis Grosvenor, the 7th duke, inherited the Eaton Hall estate near Chester, and large land holdings in London, Lancashire, Scotland, and in Canada, on the death of his late father, who died suddenly on his Abbeystead estate in Lancashire,  9 August 2016. The Westminster fortune is estimated to stand at 9.46 billion. 

The duke’s mother, the former Natalia Ayesha Phillips (born 8 May 1959), descended from the Russia tsars and from Pushkin, is a granddaughter of Lady Zia Wernher, of Luton Hoo, a great friend of the late Queen Elizabeth II. It was at Luton Hoo where the late Queen and her consort spent many wedding anniversaries in the lifetime of Lady Zia, who died in 1977, and her husband Harold, who died in 1973.

The Duke was present at the Coronation of the King and Queen in May last year, and he carried a standard in the procession into Westminster Abbey. 

The duke has three sisters, Lady Tamara van Cutsem (born 20 Dec 1979), wife of another of the King’s godsons, Edward van Cutsem, and Lady Edwina Snow (born 4 Nov, 1981), a criminologist, wife of historian and broadcaster Dan Snow, and Lady Viola Roberts (born 9 Oct, 1992), wife of Dragoon Guards officer, Angus Roberts.

Their is no heir to the dukedom, and a son and heir would secure the peerage and the vast Grosvenor inheritance.

The dukedom of Westminster was the last dukedom to be given outside the confines of the royal family, and was created by Queen Victoria in 1874.

Miss Henson (born 1 Sept, 1992), is a senior account manager with Belazu, an ethical food company, in London. She is extremely well connected, with lines of descent from the Hoare banking dynasty, the Marquesses of Britsol, of Ickworth, Suffolk, and the Dukes of Rutland, of Belvoir Castle. She is the elder daughter of Mr Rupert Cornelius Brooke Henson (born 7 September, 1962), of Longworth, Oxfordshire, and his wife the former Caroline Belinda Frisby (born 17 August, 1963), scion of that landed gentry family, descended from the Hoare banking family and the Marquesses of Bristol. Olivia’s uncle, Charles Wolrige Gordon, is the Grand Master of Scottish freemasons, Scotland’s senior freemason. Olivia’s mother is the twin sister of Charles’s wife, Angela Clare Wolrige Gordon.

Olivia has a brother Jasper (born 1994), who announced his engagement last year to the Spanish aristocrat Isabel Rodriguez-Legorburu Cabrera Kabana, and a sister, Emilia (born 1997).

Olivia is a granddaughter paternally of Thomas John Brooke Henson, MC (1931-2024), and his first wife the former Jennifer Caswell Cornelius (born 1938), daughter of Leonard Raymond Cornelius (1907-88), and his wife the former Betty Kathleen Caswell (1916-2010). Her grandparents divorced and in 1983 Mrs Jennifer Henson married Robert Christopher Thoroton Hildyard (1912-86), scion of a Yorkshire landed gentry family, descended from the Foljambe Earls of Liverpool.

The Romanov link:-

Nicholas I, Tsar of Russia (1796-1855) > Grand Duke Michael of Russia (1832-1909) > Grand Duke Michael of Russia (1861-1929)  > Lady Zia Wernher (1892-1977)  > Georgina Wernher (1919-2011)  > Natalia Ayesha Phillips (b 1959), The 7th Duke of Westminster (b 1991)

Nicholas I, Tsar of Russia (1796-1855) > Grand Duke Constantine of Russia (1827-1892) > Grand Duchess Olga of Russia (1851-1926) > Prince Andrew of Greece (1882-1944) > Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (1921-2021) > King Charles III (b 1948)

Olivia is also descended from the Dukes of Rutland :-

The 5th Duke of Rutland > Lady Katherine Manners > Lord Augustus Henry Charles Hervey > Lady Geraldine Mariana Hervey > Angela Beryl Hoare > Simon Rollo Frisby > Caroline Belinda Frisby > Olivia Grace Henson

Olivia's descent from the Marquesses of Bristol-

Frederick, 2nd Marquess of Bristol > Lord Augustus Henry Charles Hervey >Lady Geraldine Hervey > Angela Beryl Hoare > Simon Frisby . Caroline Frisby > Olivia Grace Henson 

The Duke and Olivia are both 6x great grandchildren of the 5th Earl of Carlisle (making them 7th cousins) and 7x great grandchildren of the 4th Duke of Beaufort (making them 8th cousins).

Olivia is a great-great granddaughter of Henry Hoare (1866-1956), partner in the eponymous family concern -  Hoare's Bank, of Ellisfield Manor, Basingstoke, White Wings, Angmering, Sussex, and La Lucretola, Lago di Como, Italy. The Old Etonian died 29 July, 1956.

Olivia's descent from the Arbuthnot baronets:--

Sir William Arbuthnot, 1st Baronet (1766-1829) > John Alves Arbuthnot (1802-75) > William Arbuthnot (1833-96) > Alice Arbuthnot (b 1869) > Capt William Herbert Fox (1901-40) > Sara Fox (d 2018) > Caroline Frisby (b 1963) > Olivia Henson (b 1992)

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Prof Lionel Tarassenko, CBE, appointed a non-party political life peer

 The House of Lords Appointments Commission has today announced that Professor Lionel Tarassenko CBE FREng FMedSci, has been appointed as a non-party-political peer.

As well as being the founding President of Reuben College, Professor Tarassenko is also Pro-Vice Chancellor (without portfolio) at the University of Oxford, and Research Professor in the Department of Engineering Science (where he was the Head of Department from 2014 to 2019). He is a Fellow of both the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Academy of Medical Sciences and was appointed a CBE for services to Engineering in 2012.

Professor Tarassenko is internationally-recognised for being amongst the first to apply machine learning to real-world problems in the early 1990s. Most of his research since then has been concerned with the application of AI to safety-critical systems, working on jet engine health monitoring (with Rolls-Royce) and on patient monitoring and treatment in the NHS, to improve outcomes from intensive care to community settings.

Professor Tarassenko will join the crossbenches with other independent peers, who provide wide-ranging expertise to the House of Lords, enabling it to provide effective recommendations to policy being implemented by the elected members of the House of Commons.

The new peer married firstly in 1978 (div), the Lady Ann Mary Elizabeth Craven (born 9 Apr, 1959), daughter of the late 6th Earl of Craven (1917-65), and sister of the 7th Earl (1957-83), and 8th Earl (1961-90), by whom he has issue, two sons, Luke and Simon, and a daughter Naomi.

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Mary Evelyn (Molly) Lentaigne 1920-2024

Mary Evelyn (Mollie) Lentaigne, who died 29 April, 2024, aged 103, was a British medical artist and Red Cross Voluntary Aid Detachment nurse who worked at the Queen Victoria Hospital, England, during the Second World War. She is known for the drawings she made there of the surgical procedures of New Zealand plastic surgeon Archibald McIndoe who was working on injured servicemen. Around 300 of her drawings are held by the East Grinstead Museum where they form the Mollie Lentaigne Collection.

Mollie was born 6 May, 1920, the elder daughter of Lt. Col. Edward Charles Lentaigne, DSO (1884-1962), and Cecilia Mary Lentaigne (née Bunbury) in Simla, British India. Her brother, second lieutenant John Wilfred O'Neill Lentaigne MC of the Rifle Brigade, died in 1942 at El Alamein. In 1955, she married Timothy Ingram Lock, in Harare, then Salisbury, Rhodesia. They had four sons and two daughters.

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Daughter for 'Princess' Beatrice von Preussen and Edmund Jenner

 'Princess' Beatrice Victoria von Preussen (born 10 February, 1981), wife of Edmund Henry Jenner [born 30 September, 1984], gave birth to a daughter, Cecilie Rosetta Robin Preussen Jenner, 18 March, 2024.

Beatrice is descended from the Royal House of Prussia, a daughter of Prince Frederick Nicholas von Preussen [born 3 May, 1946], and his wife the Hon Victoria Lucinda Mancroft [born 7 March, 1952], daughter of the 2nd Baron Mancroft [1914-87], and his wife the former Diana Elizabeth Lloyd [who died 1999]. Beatrice is a niece of the Duchess of Wellington.

Edmund Jenner, scion of a brewing family, is the son of Miles Anthony Jenner [born 1952], and his wife the former Sally Abbott.

Princess Beatrice's sister, Princess Florence von Preussen [born 28 July, 1983], is wife of the Hon James Tollemache [born 28 Aug, 1980], the second son of the 5th Baron Tollemache [born 13 Dec, 1939]. Another sister, Princess Augusta [born 15 Dec 1986], is wife of Caspar Helmore [born 1987]. A brother, Prince Frederick, known as Fritzi [born 11 June, 1990], announced his engagement in 2021 to Mathilda Johnson [born 1989].

The infant's descent from Queen Victoria:-

Queen Victoria [1819-1901] > Victoria, Princess Royal [1840-1901] > Wilhelm II, German Emperor [1859-1941] > Wilhelm, Crown Prince of Germany [1882-1951] > Prince Friedrich of Prussia [1911-66] > Prince Frederick von Preussen [b 1946] > Princess Beatrice von Preussen [b 1981] > Cecilie Jenner (b 2024)

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The Baron Stunell, OBE, PC 1942-2024

 _. The Baron Stunell, OBE, PC, who died 29 April, 2024, aged 81, was a Liberal Democrat politician and life peer. As Robert Andrew Stunell, he was Lib Dem MP for Hazel Grove, 1997-2015.

From 2010 to 2012 he served as the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Communities and Local Government, the the Coatition Government of David Cameron.

He was sworn of the Privy Council in 2012, knighted in 2013, and raised to the peerage for life, in 2015, as Baron Stunell, of Hazel Grove in the County of Greater Manchester. 

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The Baroness Trefgarne 1946-2024

 The Baroness Trefgarne, who died 20 April, 2024, was the wife of the 2nd Baron Trefgarne, the Conservative politician and currently the longest serving member of the House of Lords.

She was Rosalie Lane, daughter of the Baron Lane of Horsell (1925-2009), life peer, a Tory party activist and Binder Hamlyn senior partner, who was one of the behind-the-scenes figures in the Conservative Party who marshalled its voluntary activities when Margaret Thatcher was at the height of her powers. He spent most of his professional life as an accountant with Binder Hamlyn.

She married 9 November, 1968, David Garro Trefgarne, 2nd Baron Trefgarne (born 31 March, 1941), son of the 1st Baron Trefgarne (1894-1960), and his wife the former Elizabeth Churchill (died 1987).

Her husband succeeded to the peerage (created in 1947), on his father's demise, 27 September, 1960, and he is currently the longest serving member of the House of Lords. He was elected to the upper house in 1999, almost 40 years after first taking his seat.

Lady Trefgarne leaves issue, two sons George and Justin and a daughter, Rebecca.

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Winifred Catherine Sylvia Bigley (born 2024)

 Emily Catherine Bigley [née Barham, born 1993], scion of that landed family, and wife of Max James Hilton Bigley [born 1992], gave birth to a daughter, Winifred Catherine Sylvia, 24 April, 2024, a sister for Percy William Oliver, who was born 14 February, 2022.

Emily is a daughter of daughter of Edward George Barham (born 1962), of Hole Park, Kent, by his wife the former Clare Catherine Turnbull (born 1966), a descendant of the 9th Earl of Stamford (1850-1910). 

Max Bigley is a son of Robert Hilton Bigley (born 1959), of Whixley, North Yorkshire, by his wife the former Deborah M.M. Nicholson (b 1962).

The 9th Earl of Stamford [1850-1910] > Lady Jane Grey > Oliver Turnbull > Clare Turnbull > Emily Barham > Percy Bigley [b 2022]

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Caldecott/Smith engagement

 The engagement was announced 30 April, 2024, between Thomas Andrew C. Caldecott (born 1989), a twin son of (Peter) Dominic Caldecott (born 1956), of Sudbury, Suffolk, and his wife the former Sarah Caroline Gordon Lennox (born 20 January, 1960), scion of the Dukes of Richmond & Gordon, & Maude Rosamond Gladstone Smith (born Apr 1986), the only daughter of Humphrey Richard Woollcombe Smith (born 12 December, 1944), of Oxton Hall, Tadcaster, by his wife the former Julia Carlotta Gladstone (born 16 January, 1956), scion of the Gladstones of Capenoch, Dumfries.

Thomas Caldecott is a great-grandson of the 9th Duke of Richmond & Gordon (1904-1989), and a great-great grandson of th writer Hilaire Belloc (1870-1953). He is a grandson of the diplomat Lord Nicholas Gordon Lennox, KCMG, KCVO (1931-2004), sometime British Ambassador to Spain, and his wife, Mary (nee Williamson), CVO (1934-2021), a Lady-in-Waiting to Princess Alexandra, the Hon Lady Ogilvy.

Maude Smith's father is head of the Tadcaster Samuel Smith brewing family. Her father descends maternally from the Woollcombe landed gentry family.

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Victoria Viola Maude 1968-2024

 Victoria Viola Maude, who died 29 March, 2024, aged 55, was a scion of the Maude landed gentry family; born 15 December, 1968, daughter of Christopher Michael Maude (1930-2002), and his wife the former Gillian Viola Aird (1930-2015), scion of the Aird and Baring baronets; and married 2002, Paul C. Walker, by whom she had issue, two sons, Harry Peter (born 2006), and James Christopher (born 2009), and a daughter, Poppy Viola Maude (born circa 2005).

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Paul Strang 1933-2024

 Paul Strang, who died 18 March, 2024, aged 90, was the illegitimate son of Sir Thomas Beecham, 2nd Baronet (1879-1961), the maverick conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, whose absence loomed large over his life; a solicitor by profession, he floated around the classical music world as chairman of Trinity College of Music, co-founder of the Museum of Music History and champion of the Kathleen Ferrier prize...

Paul Strang was born in London, 26 March, 1933, the son of Dora Labbette, a soprano whom Beecham had mischievously presented at Covent Garden disguised as “the new Italian nightingale Lisa Perli” to demonstrate how far a foreign name would travel in England. He used the surname of her former husband, the printmaker David Strang.

Paul Strang married Jeanne Heslop in 1965. They lived in Hamilton Terrace, St John’s Wood, where their neighbours included the conductor Sir Charles Mackerras and the trumpeter Philip Jones. Jeanne died last year.

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Porter/Lacy engagement

 The engagement was announced 27 April, 2024, between Mark R.M. Porter, son of the late Anthony Porter, of Sussex, and Mrs Porter, and Diana Louise Lacy (born 1984), daughter of Richard Patrick James Lacy (born 1950), of Boxford, Suffolk, and his wife the former Penelope Anne Maffey (born 27 December, 1950), scion of the Barons Rugby.

The 1st Baron Rugby (1877-1969) > Hon Simon Maffey (1919-2004) > Penelope Maffey (b 1950) > Diana Lacy (b 1984)

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Paloma Goldsmith (born 2024)

 Jemima Goldsmith [nee Jones, born circa 1987], wife of Benjamin James [Ben] Goldsmith (born 1980), descended from the Marquesses of Londonderry, gave birth to a third daughter, Paloma, in April, 2024, a sister for Eliza [born 2016], Arlo [born 2017], and for Vita [born 2020], and Vincent [born in 2022], and a a half-sister for the late Iris [2004-2019], for Frankie [born 2005], and for Isaac [born 2008].

Ben is a son of the late Sir James Michael Goldsmith (1933-97), by his wife the former Lady Annabel Vane-Tempest-Stewart (b 13 June, 1934), scion of the Marquesses of Londonderry (Marquess, Ire, 1816), & Jemima is a daughter of Edward Jones, archirect, by his wife, Margot, and sister of film-maker Quentin Jones, &c.

Ben Goldsmith is a grandson maternally of the 8th Marquess of Londonderry. His first marriage which ended in divorce was to Kate Emma Rothschild, scion of the Barons Rothschild.

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Vincent/Corbett engagement

The engagement was announced 27 April, 2024, between Edward Mark William Vincent (born 6 March, 1978), son and heir of Sir William Percy Maxwell Vincent, 3rd Baronet (born 1 February, 1945), of Hambledon, Hampshire, and his wife the former Christine Margaret Walton (born 1945), & Rebecca Clare Corbett (born 1983), elder daughter of (Richard Arthur) Charles Corbett (born 3 Apr, 1956), of Cheriton, Hampshire, scion of that landed gentry family, by his wife the former Susan Elizabeth Obbard (born 22 September, 1956), scion of that landed gentry family.

It will be Edward Vincent's second marriage. He wed firstly, in 2010, Trina Lee Friesen, a Canadian, by whom he has issue, two sons and a daughter.

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Hon Lara Mei Sienna Stamp (born 2024)

 The Baroness Stamp (nee Teresa Margaret Tsakok, born 1986), wife of the 5th Baron Stamp (born 27 February, 1978), gae birth to a daughter, the Hon Lara Mei Sienna Stamp, 19 March, 2024, a sister for the Hon Leo Charles Xie Stamp, who was born 8 December, 2021.

Lord Stamp is the only son of the late 4th Baron Stamp [1935-2022], by his second and former wife, the former Carol Anne Russell.

Lady Stamp is the eldest daughter of Terence Tsakok and Dr Margaret Chung.

The 2nd Baron Stamp had one of the shortest tenures of a peerage. The 1st Baron Stamp [1880-1941] and his eldest son were killed in the same air raid on London, 16 April, 1941. On 10 Sept, 1941 the House of Lords, with the approval of King George VI, announced that where two persons have died in circumstances rendering it uncertain which of them survived the other, such details should be presumed to have occurred in order of seniority, and that Wilfred [b 1904], succeeded as 2nd Baron, if only briefly. Wilfred was succeeded by his brother, Trevor, 3rd Baron Stamp [1907-87], grandfather of the current peer.

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Virginia Mary Festing (nee Fyffe) 1942-2024

Virginia Mary Festing, who died 17 April, 2024, aged 81, was the wife of Andrew Festing, the portrait painter, and a scion (maternally) of the Moore-Gwyn landed gentry family.

She was born in Gloucestershire in 1942, daughter of Lieutenant-General Sir Richard Alan Fyffe, KBE, CB, DSO, MC (1912-1972), and his wife the former Diana Gwyneth Moore-Gwyn (1912-2002), scion of that landed gentry family, and married in 1968, Capt Andrew Thomas Festing (born 30 November, 1941), of The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own), the portrait painter and sometime President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, third son of Field Marshal Sir Francis Wogan Festing, GCB, KBE, DSO, DL (1902-1976), and his wife the former Mary Cecilia Riddell (1906-1992), scion of the Riddell baronets.

Virginia Festing is survived by her husband, and a daughter, Charlotte Diana (born 1974), wife of the Hon Robert Mungo Hepburne-Scott (born 1974), scion of the Lords Polwarth.

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Lady Studd, wife of Sir Edward Studd, 4th Baronet

 Lady Studd, who died 19 April, 2024, aged 92, was the wife of Sir Edward Studd, 4th Baronet.

She was born 6 April, 1932, as Prudence Janet Fyfe, daughter of Alastair Douglas Fyfe, OBE (1902-1974), and his wife the former Phyllis Mary Ingledew (1900-1979), and married 30 September, 1960, Edward Fairfa Studd (born 3 May, 1929), second son of Sir Eric Studd, 2nd Baronet (1887-1975), and his wife the former Kathleen Stephana Langmead (1895-1976), and was a younger brother of Capt Sir Robert Kynaston Studd, 2nd Baronet (1926-1977). Her husband succeeded his brother in the baronetcy, 27 May, 1977.

Lady Studd leaves issue, two sons Philip and Christopher, and a daughter, Alexandra.

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Zara Nina Nutting 1947-2024

 Zara Nina Nutting, who died 22 April, 2024, at Port Vendres, France, aged 77, was a scion of the Nutting baronets.

She was born 4 February, 1947, the only daughter of the Rt Hon Sir Harold Anthony Nutting, 3rd Baronet, PC (1920-1999), Conservative MP and government minister, by his 1st wife the former Gillian Leonora Strutt (1918-2007), scion of the Barons Rayleigh; and married 20 April, 1966 (div 1970), Martin Guy Stephenson, son of Augustus William Stephenson (1909-2000), descended from the Dukes of Norfolk, and his wife the former Mary Gloria Congreve (1917-1992), scion of the Congreve baronets, by whom she had an only child, a daughter, Katya Stephenson (born 14 January, 1967).

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Baron Field of Birkenhead, CH, PC, DL 1942-2024

 The Baron Field of Birkenhead, CH, PC, DL, who died 23 April, 2024, aged 81, was, as Frank Field, a Labour MP who dedicated his career to tackling child poverty.

Frank Ernest Field was born 16 July, 1942, son of Walter and Annie Field. He served as the MP for Birkenhead for 40 years, 1979-2019, as the Labour MP until August, 2018, and thereafter as an independent. . In 2019, he formed the Birkenhead Social Justice Party and stood unsuccessfully as its sole candidate in the 2019 election. After leaving the House of Commons he was awarded a life peerage in 2020 and sat in the House of Lords as a crossbencher. From 1997 to 1998, Field served as the Minister of Welfare Reform in Tony Blair's government. Field resigned following differences with the Prime Minister; as a backbencher he soon became one of the Labour government's most vocal critics. Field was elected Chair of the Work and Pensions Select Committee in June 2015. Following the 2017 general election he was re-elected unopposed. In August 2018, Field resigned the Labour whip citing antisemitism in the party, as well as a "culture of intolerance, nastiness and intimidation" in parts of the party, including in his own constituency. Field lost a confidence vote in his constituency party a month before his resignation, after siding with the government in Brexit votes. His resignation of the whip also led to his departure from the wider membership of the Labour Party, according to the Labour National Executive Committee, although Field disputed this.

Frank Field was sworn of the Privy Council in 1997. He was appointed as a deputy lieutenant for the county of Merseyside in October 2011.  At the age of 75 he was moved to the retired list.

Field was awarded an honorary fellowship by Liverpool John Moores University on 12 July 2016. In 2017, he was awarded the Langton Award for Community Service by the Archbishop of Canterbury "for sustained and outstanding commitment to social welfare". Field was nominated for a life peerage in the 2019 Dissolution Honours, and his peerage was gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Field of Birkenhead, of Birkenhead in the County of Merseyside, on 11 September 2020.

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Capt Richard Lawrence Garnons-Williams, RN 1925-2024

 Capt Richard Lawrence Garnons-Williams, RN, who died 17 April, 2024, aged 98, was a scion of that landed gentry family, born in 1925, son of Maj Roger Fenton Garnons Garnons-Williams, MBE (1891-1961), and his wife the former Eileen Sandys Thomas (1894-1989), and married in 1950, Anne Elizabeth Elmhirst (1926-1997), scion of that landed gentry family, by whom he had issue two daughters, Elizabeth (born 1951), and Antonia (born 1956).

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The King's St George's Day appointments to the Order of the Garter

 His Majesty the King has made some appointments to England's senior order of chivalry, the Order of the Garter.

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester, GCVO, DStJ,  77, the Danish-born wife of the King's cousin, the Duke of Gloucester, becomes a Royal Lady of the Order. The former Birgitte van Deurs (born 20 June, 1946) married Prince Richard in 1972, and has been a 'working royal' for over half a century.

Air Chief Marshal the Lord Peach, GBE, KCB, DL (born 22 February, 1956), who becomes a Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter, is a retired senior RAF officer. After training as a navigator, Peach commanded IX (Bomber) Squadron and then became Deputy Station Commander RAF Bruggen. He was deployed as NATO Air Commander (Forward) in Kosovo in 2000. He went on to be Chief of Defence Intelligence in 2006, Chief of Joint Operations in 2009 and the first Commander of Joint Forces Command in December 2011 before being appointed Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff in May 2013. Peach succeeded General Sir Nick Houghton as Chief of the Defence Staff on 14 July 2016. He succeeded General Petr Pavel as Chairman of the NATO Military Committee on 29 June 2018, serving as such until his retirement from NATO in June 2021.

Lord Kakkar, KBE, PC (born 28 April 1964), is a professor of surgery at University College London and life peer. Kakkar is Chair of King's Health Partners, the Academic Health Science Centre, Director of the Thrombosis Research Institute, London, and lectures and publishes widely on his specialism. He has worked with the NHS on its strategy to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE). He is a Commissioner of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, former chair of the Board of Governors at Alleyn's School, Dulwich, and a Trustee of the Dulwich Estate. Kakkar was created a life peer on 22 March 2010 as Baron Kakkar, of Loxbeare in the County of Devon, and introduced in the House of Lords the same day. He sits on the crossbenches. He was Chairman of the House of Lords Appointments Commission from 2013 to 2018.

Lord Lloyd-Webber, (born 22 March 1948) is a composer and impresario of musical theatre. Several of his musicals have run for more than a decade both in the West End and on Broadway. He has composed 21 musicals, a song cycle, a set of variations, two film scores, and a Latin Requiem Mass. Several of Lloyd Webber's songs have been widely recorded and widely successful outside of their parent musicals, such as "Memory" from Cats, "The Music of the Night" and "All I Ask of You" from The Phantom of the Opera, "I Don't Know How to Love Him" from Jesus Christ Superstar, "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" from Evita, and "Any Dream Will Do" from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. In 2001, The New York Times referred to him as "the most commercially successful composer in history". The Daily Telegraph named him in 2008 the fifth-most powerful person in British culture, on which occasion lyricist Don Black said that "Andrew more or less single-handedly reinvented the musical."

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The King gives prestigious appointments to family members

The King has granted prestigious new roles to four senior members of the royal family, including his wife, Queen Camilla.

As formally announced by Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, Her Majesty Queen Camilla has been appointed to be Grand Master and First or Principal Dame Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Previous Grand Masters have included the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,who held the office from 1953 until his death, the King's great-grandmother – Queen Mary from 1936 to 1953, and King Edward VIII when he was the Prince of Wales from 1917 to 1936.

The King has also granted new honours to the Prince and Princess of Wales. Prince William has been made Great Master of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath. The Most Honourable Order of the Bath was established by King George I in 1725, although it is believed to originally date back as far as the eighth century. It is awarded to members of the military or civil service for exemplary service.  

Previous Grand Masters have included the King when he was Prince of Wales, Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert, and Prince Augustus, Duke of Sussex.

And as a completely new appointment, the Princess of Wales has been appointed Royal Companion of The Order of the Companions of Honour. The Order was founded by King George V in 1917 to recognise outstanding achievements in the Arts, Sciences, Medicine and Public Service. While membership of the order confers no title or precedence, those inducted into the order are entitled to use the post-nominal letters CH. Catherine joins the likes of Lord Coe, Dame Judi Dench and Sir Elton John, all members of the order.

Meanwhile, there's a new royal addition to the Order of the Garter – the Duchess of Gloucester has become a Royal Lady Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, and is likely to make her debut at the ceremony on 17 June.

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Major General Andrew Patrick Withy MacLellan, CB, CVO, MBE 1925-2024

 Major General (Andrew) Patrick (Withy) MacLellan, CB, CVO, MBE, who died 19 April, 2024, aged 98, was Resident Governor and Keeper of the Jewel House, HM Tower of London, 1984-1989.

He was born 29 November, 1925, son of Kenneth MacLellan, and his wife the former Rachel Madeline Withy. He was commissioned into the Coldstream Guards in November 1944 but too late to take part in operations in the Second World War. He served in Palestine immediately after the end of the conflict following the outbreak of violence, conducted by Zionist paramilitary organisations, and was then posted to the School of Infantry to teach counterinsurgency warfare. For the next 15 years he served with the Brigade of Guards in England, Egypt and Germany, before becoming military assistant to Earl Mountbatten of Burma, the Admiral of the Fleet, in 1961, then chief of the defence staff, a demanding post for which he was appointed MBE (Military) in 1964. 

He married in 1954, Kathleen Mary Bagnell (born 1928), the daughter of a hussar officer who had fought in the First World War, by whom he had a son, Ian, and twin daughters Fiona and Diana.

He was appointed MBE in 1964, CB in 1981, and CVO in 1989.

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Oakes/Manners engagement

 The engagement was announced 23 April, 2024, between William Edward J. Oakes (born 1994), younger son of Tim Oakes and Mrs Barbara Johnston of Haslemere, Surrey, & Laura Elizabeth Manners (born 1996), scion of the Barons Manners, younger daughter of Arthur Roger Manners (born 29 July, 1959), of Newbury, Berkshire, and his wife the former (Charlotte) Anna C, Ryland (born 1960).

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Rupert Alfred Chambers (born 2024)

 Fleur Elizabeth Chambers (nee Gibbs, born 1990), wife of Nicholas Timothy G. Chambers [born 1989], gave birth to a son, Rupert Alfred, 5 April, 2024, a brother for Albert George, who was born 23 January, 2023.

Nicholas is the elder son of Robert G. Chambers, of Reed, Hertfordshire, by his wife the former [Christine] Belinda Johnson.

Fleur Chambers is the (adopted?) daughter of Alan Francis Gibbs [born 1953], of Midgham Park, Berkshire, scion of the Barons Aldenham & Hunsdon, by his wife the former Francine Nicola Preston [born 1956].

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Belinda Madeline Mordaunt 1933-2024

 Belinda Madeline Mordaunt (nee Gouldsmith), died 17 April, 2024.

She was born in 1933, daughter of Thomas Cecil Gouldsmith (1903-1989), of Conseysthorpe, Malton, North Yorkshire, and his wife the former Rachel Westmacott (1899-1988); and married in 1959, (Thomas) Christopher John Mordaunt (1934-2017), scion of the Mordaunt baronets, son of Lieutenant Commander Richard John Mordaunt, VRD, RN (1908-1988), and his wife the former Gertrude Anna Katherine Toler  (1904-1986), scion of that landed gentry family, by whom she had issue, two daughters, Sarah Camilla (born 19 Sept, 1961), and Sophie Jane (born 18 Mar, 1967).

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Sir Peter Maudslay Hordern, DL, PC 1929-204

 Sir Peter Maudslay Hordern, DL, PC, who died on his 95th birthday, 18 April, 2024, was a former Conservative MP, a mainstay of the back benches for over 30 years, and a scion of that landed gentry family.

He 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.

He was educated at Geelong Grammar School, Australia and Christ Church, Oxford. He served with the 60th Rifles from 1947 to 1949, joining the regiment of his father and great-uncle, Brig. General Gwyn Venables Hordern CB, CMG, JP. He then became a Member of the Stock Exchange.

Hordern served as Tory 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 sworn of the Privy Council 1993. He served as a deputy lieutenant for West Sussex.

Hordern was a member of the Public Accounts Committee from 1970 to 1987, Chairman of the Finance Committee from 1970 to 1972 and Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission from 1988 to 1997. He was appointed to the Executive of the 1922 Committee in 1967, later becoming Secretary of the 1922 Committee and Chairman of the Conservative backbench Committee on Europe.

Sir Peter was appointed a director of Petrofina UK PLC in 1973 and chairman in 1987. He was appointed a director of F&C Smaller Companies Investment Trust, plc in 1978, and as chairman in 1986. He was appointed a director of TR Technology Investment Trust in 1985 (formerly Atlas Electric and General Trust). In 1982 he was appointed a consultant to Fisons PLC and a consultant to House of Fraser PLC and Pannell Kerr Forster in 1984.

He married in 1964, Elizabeth Susan Chataway (born 1938), daughter of Sir James Denys Percival Chataway (1892-1953), and sister of Sir Christopher Chataway (1931-2014), the long-distance runner, Conservative politician and broadcaster.

He is survived by Lady Hordern and a son, James (born 1967), who married Lady Elspeth Mackay, daughter of the 4th Earl of Inchcape, and a daughter, Sara (born 1971). He was predeceased by another son, Andrew (1965-2009).

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Baroness Massey of Darwen 1938-2024

 The Baroness Massey of Darwen, who died 20 April, 2024, aged 85, was a Labour member of the House of Lords, Vice-Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group Humanist Group (APPHG), until earlier this year, and secretary from 2010-2022.

Doreen Elizabeth Massey was born 5 September, 1938. She was educated at the University of Birmingham (BA, DipEd, vice-pres Student Union, Hockey and Cricket blues), and the University of London (MA). A former teacher and education advisor, she was the director of the Family Planning Association from 1989 to 1994. She was made a life peer as Baroness Massey of Darwen, of Darwen in the County of Lancashire, on 26 July 1999. She was introduced on 1 November 1999 to the House of Lords where she served as a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Integrated and Complementary Healthcare. She is an honorary associate of the National Secular Society, patron of Humanists UK, &c. On 15 September 2010, Massey, along with 54 other public figures, signed an open letter published in The Guardian, stating their opposition to Pope Benedict XVI's state visit to the UK.

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Baroness Gardner of Parkes 1927-2024

The Baroness Gardner of Parkes, JP, who died 14 April, 2024, aged 96, was an Australian-born dentist and Conservative member of the British House of Lords. She was the first Australian woman to have been elevated to the peerage, and as of 2023 is the most senior Life peer in the House of Lords. 

She was born Rachel Trixie Anne McGirr, 17 July, 1927. Trixie Gardner was a councillor of Westminster City Council from 1968 to 1978 and was Lady Mayoress (when her husband was Lord Mayor) during 1987–88. In 1970, she stood for Parliament for the Conservative Party against Labour's Barbara Castle in Blackburn, and in February 1974 stood against the Liberal John Pardoe in North Cornwall. In 1971, she was made a Justice of the Peace. In addition, she was elected as a member of the Greater London Council (GLC) representing Havering (1970-1973) and Southgate (1977–1986) until the GLC's abolition. She held various directorships and was the UK Representative on the United Nations Status of Women Commission 1982–1988. 

She was created a life peer, in June 1981, and took the title Baroness Gardner of Parkes, of Southgate in Greater London, and of Parkes in the State of New South Wales and Commonwealth of Australia.

Fir those interested in the detail of armorial bearing, Baroness Gardner's arms: Arms: Per fess Azure and Vert in chief a representation of the constellation of the Southern Cross Argent issuing in base a Sun in Splendour Or all within a Bordure indented Gold; Supporters: Dexter: a Kangaroo Or gorged with a Crown Pallisado Vert grasping in the sinister forepaw a Branch of Tudor Roses slipped and leaved proper; Sinister: a Lion Or gorged with a Crown Pallisado Vert grasping in the dexter forepaw a Branch of Wattle slipped and leaved proper, the whole upon a Compartment comprising a Grassy Mount growing therefrom two Waratah Flowers slipped and leaved proper; Motto: Keep Going.

 She was ennobled for her two decades of community and local government work as a Conservative, the first Australian woman to be so honoured. On 4 April 2007, she was made an Honorary Fellow of the University of Sydney.

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Lara Emma Benyon (born 2024)

 Sarah Benyon [nee Procter], wife of the Hon Harry C.W. Benyon, descended from the Earls of Clarendon, gave birth to a daughter, Lara Emma, 12 April, 2024, a sister for Archie Philip William, who was born 7 April, 2022.

Harry is the eldest son of the life peer the Baron Benyon [born 1960], of Englefield, Berkshire, by his former wife the former Emma Helen Villiers [born 16 Oct, 1963], scion of the Earls of Clarendon.

Sarah Benyon is the younger daughter of Mr & Mrs Philip Procter, of Skelton, York.

Harry Benyon is a grandson paternally of the late Sir William Benyon [1930-2014], a descendant of the Marquesses of Salisbury. His mother, Emma, is now the Baroness Grimthorpe, of Newmarket, Suffolk, second wife of the 5th Baron Grimthorpe [born 10 Nov, 1954]. Lady Grimthorpe is a descendant of the 1st Earl of Clarendon.

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Julia Helen Rausing (nee Delves Broughton) 1961-2024

 Julia Helen Rausing, who died 18 April, 2024, aged 63, was the wife of the billionaire philanthropist Tetra Pak heir Hans Rausing, and a scion of the Broughton baronets.

She was  born Julia Helen Broughton, 11 February, 1961, the second daughter of Major Sir Evelyn Delves Broughton, 12th Baronet (1915-1993), and his 2nd wife the former Helen Mary Shore; and married at Woburn Abbey, in July, 2014, as his second wife, Hans Kristian Rausing (born 15 June, 1963), son of Hans Anders Rausing, KBE (1926-2019), Swedish industrialist and philanthropist, and his wife Märit.

The Rausings had donated £330million in more than 1,000 grants, including £50million to UK charities annually, through the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust which they co-founded.

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Hon Rollo Hugh Clifford 1954-2024

 The Hon Rollo Hugh Clifford, who died 27 March, 2024, aged 70, was a scion of the Barons Clifford of Chudleigh.

He was born 15 March, 1954, the second son of the 13th Baron Clifford of Chudleigh (1916-1988), of Ugbrooke Park, Chudleigh, Devon, and his wife the former Hon Katharine Vavasseur Fisher (1919-1999), middle daughter of the 2nd Baron Fisher (1868-1955); and married 1stly, 2 September, 1977 (div), Fiona Margaret Todd, the only daughter of Richard Andrew Palethorpe-Todd OBE, the actor of stage and screen (Richard Todd), of Little Ponton House, Grantham, co. Lincoln; and married secondly, 1989, Mrs Caroline Peta Versen, the only daughter of Peter Marshall Roberts, of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

He leaves issue from his first marriage, two sons, Christopher (born 1982) and Alasdair (born 1986), and a daughter, Elizabeth (born 1981), and a from his second marriage, a daughter, Sophie (born 1991).

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Sir Peter Ghislain Batho, 3rd Baronet 1939-2024

Sir Peter Ghislain Batho, 3rd Baronet, died 6 April 2024. He was 84.

Sir Peter was a long-serving Conservative councillor, & he lately represented the Saxmundham area on both Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Coastal District Council. He was a farmer at Saxmundham. 

He was born 9 December, 1939, the second but eldest surviving son of Sir Maurice Benjamin Batho, 2nd Baronet (1910-1990), and his wife the former Antoinette Marie d'Udekem d'Acoz (1902-1994), a cousin of Her Majesty Queen Mathilde, wife of Philippe, King of the Belgians.

He married 29 October, 1966, Lucille Mary Williamson (born 1945), daughter of Wilfred Francis Williamson, of The White House, Saxmundham, Suffolk, by whom he had issue, three sons, Rupert, Alexander and Hugh.

Peter Batho succeeded to the baronetcy on his father's death, 12 January, 1990. The title was created in 1928, for his grandfather, Sir Charles Batho (1872-1938), Lord Mayor of London.

Sir Peter was elected to Suffolk County Council for the then Leiston and Saxmundham Division in 1989 and he served for four years. He was then elected to Suffolk Coastal council for Saxmundham in 2003 and served on that council for 12 years - he was council chair in 2006/7.

The baronetcy now passes to his eldest son, Rupert Sebastian Ghislain Batho, who was born 26 October, 1967.

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Margot Naylor-Leyland (born 2024)

 Baronet's heir Tom Naylor-Leyland, and his wife Alice, have had their fourth child, a daughter, Margot, by surrogacy, 14 April, 2024.

Alice Naylor-Leyland (nee Dawson) is the wife of Thomas Philip (Tom) Naylor-Leyland (born 22 January, 1982) scion of the Naylor-Leyland baronets, and heir to the multi-million pound Fitzwilliam fortune.

The infant is a sister to William Thomas (Billy) (born 25 June, 2012), and for Nancy Serena (born 22 September, 2015), and for Felix Amager, (born 24 January, 2019).

Thomas  is the son and heir of Sir Philip Vyvian Naylor-Leyland, 4th Baronet (born 9 August, 1953) and Lady Isabella Lambton (born 17 May, 1956), fifth daughter of Antony Claude Frederick Lambton, the disclaimed 6th Earl of Durham (1922-2006), and his wife the former Belinda Bridget Blew-Jones (1921-2003).

Thomas Naylor-Leyland married in 2011, Alice Moffat Amager Dawson (born 30 March, 1986), daughter of Paul Dawson, of Cologny, Geneva, and Mrs Serena Fresson, of Ham, Wiltshire.

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Ian Angus Ralph Campbell 1951-2024

Ian Angus Ralph Campbell, who died 4 April, 2024, aged 72, was a scion of the Earls Cawdor.

He was born 26 June, 1951, the elder son of Major Angus Mervyn Campbell (1918-2011), and his wife the former Rosemary Madeline Hamilton Fraser (1926-2022), a descendant of the Abel Smith landed family; and married in 1984 (div 2011), Jacqueline Jowett, daughter of John Jowett, by wom he had two sons, Edward (born 1988), and Frederick (born 1990), and a daughter, Laura (born 1995).

Ian Campbell was a great-grandson of the 3rd Earl Cawdor, PC, JP, DL (1847-1911).

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Sir (John) Chippendale (Lindley) Keswick

 Sir John Chippendale Lindley Keswick, known universally as 'Chips', who died 17 April, 2024, aged 84, was a merchant banker and member of the Keswick family who control Jardine Matheson, founded by William Jardine. He was chairman of Arsenal Football Club from June 2013 until his retirement in May 2020.

Sir Chips was a close friend of the King and Queen, and his wife, Lady Sarah, is one of Queen Camilla's 'Queen's Companions'.

Part of the Keswick family business dynasty, Keswick was born 2 February, 1940, the second son of Sir William Johnstone "Tony" Keswick (1903–1990) and his wife the former Mary Lindley (1911-2009), daughter of the Rt Hon Sir Francis Oswald Lindley, PC, GCMG (1872-1950), and was the grandson paternally of Henry Keswick (1870-1928). 

He was educated at Eton College and the University of Aix-Marseilles.

Chips was chairman of Hambros Bank from 1986 to 1998. He was a director of Arsenal Football Club from November 2005, and the chairman from August 2013, when he succeeded Peter Hill-Wood, until his retirement in May 2020. A former director of the Bank of England and De Beers Consolidated Mines.

Sir Chips was a member of the Queen's Body Guard for Scotland, Royal Company of Archers from 1976, and was knighted in 1993.

Keswick married 23 April, 1966, the Lady Sarah Ramsay (born 18 Oct, 1945), second daughter of the 16th Earl of Dalhousie, KT, GCVO, GBE, MC (1914-1999), sometime Lord Chamberlain to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and his wife the former Margaret Elizabeth Mary Stirling (1914-1997). Lady Sarah has been a lifelong friend of Queen Camilla, and is now a member of Her Majesty's household as a Queen's Companion, a title replacing the now defunct title 'Lady in Waiting'.

Chips Keswick leaves issue, three sons, Tobias (born 1968), David (born 1968), and Adam (born 1973).

Sir Chips was a member of gentleman's clubs White's and the Portland. He supported "Business for Sterling", and sat on the board of corporate donors to the Conservative Party.

He was a keen racehorse owner and hunter. He was a joint owner with Queen Camilla of several racehorses.

Keswick's elder brother Sir Henry Keswick (born 29 September, 1938) and younger brother Simon Keswick (born 20 May, 1942) are chairman and director of Jardine Matheson Holdings.

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Hon Sarah Elizabeth Ann Raynar (née Butler) 1932-2024

 The Hon Sarah Elizabeth Ann Raynar (née Butler), who died 6 April, 2024, aged 91, was a scion of the Viscounts Mountgarret.

She was born 26 December, 1932, the only daughter of the 16th Viscount Mountgarret (1903-1966), and his 1st wife the former Eglantine Marie Elizabeth Christie (1908-1990), scion of that landed gentry family; and married 5 November, 1955 (div 1976), Geoffrey Kenneth Sefton Raynar (1918-1981), son of Joseph Percival Raynar (1869-1951), and his wife the former Kate Bickers (1883-1960), by whom she had issue, two sons, Rupert (born 28 January, 1957), and James (born 4 July, 1962).

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Joan Mary Galpin Boswell 1927-2024

Joan Mary Galpin Boswell, who died 9 April, 2024, aged 96, was the widow of David Boswell, 16th of Auchinleck.

She was the former Joan Mary Galpin White, daughter of Douglas Cecil White [1895-1971], of Combe Down, Bath, and his wife the former Charlotte Galpin Lilley [1892-1968]; and married 1950, David Boswell, 16th of Auckinleck (1927-2022), son of Capt Philip Rutherford Boswell [15th] of Auchinleck, MC [1889-1969], and his wife the former [Elsie] Kathleen Hunter [1900-1968]. Her husband died 1 February, 2022. She leaves two sons and two daughters.

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The Baroness Petre 1941-2024

 The Baroness Petre, who died 8 April, 2024, was wife of the Baron Petre, KCVO, DL, sometime Lord Lieutenant of Essex, landowner, and 18th holder of the barony.

The Petres are seated at Ingatestone Hall, a Grade I listed 16th-century manor house in Essex. It is located outside the village of Ingatestone, and was built by Sir William Petre, and his descendants have lived there for over 500 years.

Marcia Gwendolyn Plumpton was born circa July, 1941, daughter of Alfred George Plumpton (1911-1981), and his wife the former Emily Nora Young (1908-1957); and married 16 September, 1965, the Hon John Patrick Lionel Petre (born 4 August, 1942), scion of a recusant family, son and heir of the 17th Baron Petre (1914-1989), and his wife the former Marguerite Eileen Hamilton (who died 15 June, 2003). Her husband succeeded his father, 1 January, 1989, in the peerage (created 1603).

Lady Petre (pronoubced 'Peter') is survived by her husband, and a son, Dominic, and a daughter Clare, and is predeceased by a son Mark.

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The Baron Rosser 1944-2024

 Lord Rosser, life baron, who died 10 April, 2024, aged 79, was a trade union leader and Labour politician who was a member of the House of Lords. He latterly served as Shadow Spokesperson for Transport and Home Affairs in the House of Lords.

Richard Andrew Rosser was born 5 October, 1944, was employed by London Transport he joined the staff of the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) early in his working career, representing London Transport's white-collar staff in negotiations with the management. He rose through the ranks of the TSSA to be an Assistant General Secretary (one of two, at the time), and in 1989 he was elected General Secretary of the union (i.e. in day-to-day control, but answerable to an elected Executive Committee of lay members, and to the Annual Conference). Rosser was re-elected twice, serving a total of fifteen years in office before his retirement in 2004 – a record second only to the thirty years (1906-1936) served by Alexander Walkden.

During his time at the TSSA, Rosser was also a magistrate and was Chairman of the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party in 1997–98.

Rosser was the Labour candidate for Croydon Central at the general election of February 1974, but was not elected.

Following his retirement from TSSA Rosser was created a life peer on 14 June 2004 as Baron Rosser, of Ickenham in the London Borough of Hillingdon, taking his seat in the House of Lords on the Labour Party benches in the summer of 2004. In addition to transport matters, he took an interest in penal policy, being chair of the Prison Service Audit Committee and a non-executive member of the Prison Service change programme board.

Lord Rosser served as an Opposition Whip and Spokesperson for the Labour Party on defence, home affairs and transport at various times from 2010. He stood down from the Labour front bench in 2022 due to ill health. 

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Christine, Baroness Cobbold 1940-2024

 Christine, Baroness Cobbold, who died from pancreatic cancer, 7 April, 2024, aged 83, was a Bohemian aristocrat, chatelaine of magnificent Knebworth, who helped her husband to preserve his family seat with a string of celebrated rock festivals.

Christine Elizabeth Stucley, known universally as Chryssie, was born 25 April, 1940, a scion of the baronets of that name, third daughter of Maor Sir Dennis Stucley, 5th Baronet (1907-1983), who owned both the fortified gatehouse Affeton Castle near Bideford and the imposing Hartland Abbey, hunted four days a week and founded the Taw and Torridge pack, by his wife the former Hon Sheila Margaret Warwick Bampfylde (1912-1996), scion of the Barons Politimore.

She married 7 January, 1961, the then Hon David Antony Fromanteel Cobbold (born 14 July, 1937), son of the 1st Baron Cobbold, KG, GCVO, PC, DL (1904-1987), sometime Governor of the Bank of England, and Lord Chamberlain to Queen Elizabeth II, and his wife the former Lady Margaret Hermione Millicent Bulwer-Lytton (1905-2004), scion of the Earls of Lytton. Her husband succeeded his father, 1 November, 1987, as 2nd Baron Cobbold (cr UK, 1960).

Lady Cobbold was widowed 9 May, 2022. She leaves issue, three sons, Henry, Peter and Richard, and a daughter, Rosina. Her eldest son is the 3rd Baron Cobbold (born 12 May 1962).

In 1969, she and her husband David, had begged to open his mother’s dilapidated family seat Knebworth House and its 250-acre park to the public to help with the running costs. His parents — had no time to keep the house going and it needed substantial restoration work, with a 14-acre “wilderness garden, extensive dry rot, fungus and every sort of beetle”.

The young Cobbolds were then in the vanguard of historic house owners sharing their heritage, but with far less money than rivals such as Longleat and Woburn Abbey. The struggle to keep the estate afloat amid wildly fluctuating fortunes dominated the next 35 years of the Cobbolds’ lives, but they approached each setback and windfall with humorous stoicism.

When in 2000 the couple handed on the estate, by now protected by a charitable conservation trust, to their eldest son Henry and his American wife Martha (née Boone), it was a thriving business that had welcomed millions of visitors to events ranging from medieval banquets and Wild West reenactments to wedding receptions and athletics meets.

From the Daily Telegraph obituary: The Cobbolds’ four children survive her: Henry, the 3rd Lord Cobbold, a former Hollywood screenwriter and keen naturist, is Knebworth’s current custodian; Peter manages a property rental business in Spain; Richard is the director of an international tech company; and Rosina is an artist and alternative education pioneer. Lady Cobbold is also survived by the Ugandan brothers Danny and Harry Matovu, whom she and her husband informally adopted. They were two of Henry’s closest friends at Eton whose parents had suffered persecution under Idi Amin, and who went on to become successful barristers. After handing over Knebworth to the next generation, the Cobbolds moved to a house nearby where Chryssie cared for her husband as he faced Parkinson’s disease. When he died [in 2022] she ordered a coffin decorated with the artwork from his favourite Pink Floyd album and erected a memorial bench beside his grave in Knebworth garden inscribed: “See you on the Dark Side of the Moon”.

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Roe/Robinson engagement

 The engagement was announced 15 April, 2024, between Edward Frederick John Roe (born 1994), elder son of Alexander Frederick James Roe, of Upper Farringdon, Hampshire, and his late wife the former Caroline Jane Maltby (1957-2021), & Kate Jane Robinson (born 1996), daughter of Dr Simon Robinson, of Hartwith, North Yorkshire, and his wife Dr Jane Robinson (nee Sawyer).

Edward Roe is descended from the Earls of Malmesbury:-

The 6th Earl of Malmesbury (1907-2000) > Lady Sylvia Harris (b 1934) > Caroline Maltby (1957-2021) > Edward Roe (b 1994)

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Daphne Emma Gillian Cooksley (born 2024)

 Mary Rose Avril Cooksley (born 1991, nee Ropner), wife of Alexander James Cooksley [born 1992], gave birth to a daughter, Daphne Emma Gillian, 31 March, 2024.

Alexander is the elder son of Steven Cooksley, of Coulsdon, Surrey, and his wife the former Gillian Taylor.

Mary Cooksle, a scion of the Ropner baronets, is the eldest daughter of Charles Guy Corban Ropner [born 2 February, 1959], of Bedale, North Yorkshire, and his wife the former Emma Andrews.

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Bodie Giles Edward Agar (born 2024)

India Sarah T. Agar (nee Clevely, born 1991), wife of Charles Christopher Edward Agar [born 29 July, 1989], scion of the Earls of Normanton, gave birth to a son, Bodie Giles Edward, 15 March, 2024.

Charles Agar is a son of the Hon Mark Sidney Andrew Agar [born 2 Sept, 1948], of Hilton, Dorset, and his wife the former Arabella Clare Gilbey [born 14 July, 1953], scion of the Gilbey baronets.

India Agar is a daughter of Rupert Clevely, of River, West Sussex, and his wife the former Joanna Beatrice Taswell Greenwell [born 14 Jan, 1962], scion of the Greenwell baronets, descended from the 1st Bt.

Charles Agar is a grandson of the 5th Earl of Normanton [1910-67].

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Gobourn/Burnell engagement

 The engagement was announced 13 April, 2024, between Toby Richard C. Gobourn (born 13 November, 1996, younger son of Andrew Dennis Crichton Gobourn (born 1960), of East Lothian, and his wife the former Claire Kelway Smith-Carington (born 1962), scion of that landed gentry family; and Victoria M.M. Burnell, second daughter of Mr and Mrs Nicholas Burnell of Hampshire.

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Bossom/Morgan engagement

 The engagement was announced 13 April, 2024, between Barnaby David Vaughan Bossom (born 28 December, 1995), scion of the Bossom baronets, the third son of Doric Alfred Howard Bossom (born 27 February, 1960), of Salisbury, Wiltshire, and his wife the former Sara Jocelyn Vaughan (born 1958), and Lucy B. Morgan, elder daughter of John and Sharon Morgan, of Houghton, Hampshire.

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Charlotte Francis Champion De Crespigny 1948-2024

 Charlotte Francis Champion de Crespigny, who died in Australia, 4 April, 2024, aged 75, was a scion of that landed gentry family. 

Descended from French nobility,Charlotte descended from Claude Champion de Crespigny, Sieur de Crespigny, whose three sons became free denizens of England by Act of Parliament, passed 5 March 1690.

She was born 3 September, 1948, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Constantine Trent Champion De Crespigny, DSO, VD (1882-1952), a soldier, doctor, abd academic in Adelaide, Australia, and his second wife, the former Mary Birks Jolley (1915-1994); and married Gary Childs, by whom she had issue.

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Colonel Thomas Peter Anson 1933-2024

 Colonel Thomas Peter (Gus) Anson, who died 7 April, 2024, aged 91, was a scion of the Earls of Lichfield.

He was born 5 March, 1933, the second son of Major the Hon Rupert Anson (1889-1966), and his wife the former Marion Emma Ruthven Halliday (1891-1965), and a grandson of the 3rd Earl of Lichfield (1856-1918);  and married 19 December, 1964, Judith Hilary (Judy) Kennard (1942-2015), kin of the Kennard baronets, by whom he had issue, two sons, Henry James (born 2 Jan, 1967), and Patrick John (born 27 February, 1969).

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Cox/Codrington engagement

 The engagement was announced 12 April, 2024, between Ruairidh Alexander Stewart Cox (born 1997), eldest son of Mr Adrian Cox and Dr Karen Bradshaw, of North Barn, Forehill, Pembrokeshire, & Cecilia Elizabeth Lillian Codrington (born 1996), daughter of Sir Christopher George Wayne Codrington, 4th Baronet (born 20 February, 1960), of Fordwells, Oxfordshire, and his wife the former Noelle Lynn Leverson.

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Blackett/von Klitzing engagement

The engagement was announced 12 April, 2024, between Henry Douglas Blackett (born 2 February, 1992), son and heir of Sir Hugh Francis Blackett, 12th Baronet (born 11 February, 1955), of Corbridge, Northumberland, and his wife the former Anna Margaret Coldwell (born 1959), & Joséphine Marie Dorothée Nicole von Klitzing (born 7 August, 1986), daughter of Konstantin Joachim Gebhard von Klitzing (born 21 December, 1951), of Paris, and his wife the former Caroline de Roussy de Sales (born 12 March, 1958).

Townsend/Warde-Aldam engagement

 The engagement was announced 10 April, 2024, between Dr George Jack Nairne Townsend (born 21 May, 1993), middle son of Andrew Townsend, of Faringdon, Oxfordshire, and his wife Margaret Caroline Susan Nairne (born 10 May, 1961), & Eala Saffron Grace Warde-Aldam (born 1993), scion of that landed gentry family, daughter of James Julian (Jamie) Warde-Aldam (born 1957), of Healey, Northumberland, and his wife the former Amynta Wood-Gush.

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Musker/Pheysey engagement

The engagement was announced 9 April, 2024, between Hamish FitzRoy Musker (born 1990), scion of that landed gentry family, son of Robert Antony Musker (born 14 June, 1952), of Gloucestershire, and his former wife the former Charlotte Brownlow Patrick (now Mrs Charlotte Harrison, of Norfolk), and Amelia Hope Pheysey (born 1996), daughter of Paul Charles Hargrave Pheysey (born 1962), of Kensington, London, and his wife the former Helen Fifield.

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The 4th Baron Holmpatrick 1955-2024

 The 4th Baron Holmpatrick died 21 March, 2024. He was 69.

The peer was a descendant of the Iron Duke, Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington.

Hans James David Hamilton was born 15 March, 1955, son of the 3rd Baron Holmpatrick (1928-1991), and his wife the former Anne Loys Roche Brass (who died 1998); and succeeded to the peerage (created in 1897), on his father's death, 15 February, 1991.

Lord Holmpatrick married 19 July, 1984, Mrs Gill Francesca Anne du Feu, 1st daughter of Squadron Leader Kenneth James Toby Harding, DFC, RAF, of Binisafua, Minorca, Spain, by whom he had issue an only son, the Hon James Hans Stephen Hamilton (born 6 October, 1982).

The peerage now passes to his brother the Hon Ion Henry James Hamilton (born 12 June, 1956).

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Elizabeth Jane Scrope 1937-2024

 Elizabeth Jane Scrope, who died 20 March, 2024, aged 86, was a scion of the Scrope landed family, of Danby.

She was born 5 June, 1937, daughter of Richard Ladislas Scrope (1901-1990), head of that ancient dynasty, and his wife the former Lady Jane Mary Egerton (1909-1978), scion of the Earls of Ellesmere.

Miss Scrope was a granddaughter maternally of the 4th Earl of Ellesmere (1872-1944).

She was unmarried.

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Edward Charles McCorkell (born 2024)

 Emily Flora Isobel McCorkell [née Ayles, born 1990], wife of Harry James Michael McCorkell [born 1988], scion of that Irish landed gentry family, gave birth to a son, Edward Charles, 26 March, 2024, a brother for William and Sophia.

Emily is a daughter of Dr Anthony Charles Murray Ayles, and his wife the former Catherine Rose Law [born 1962], scion of the Barons Ellenborough.

Harry is the son of John Barry Ernest McCorkell [born 1952], and his wife the former Sara Caroline Paget Galbraith [born 1950], a granddaughter of the 1st Baron Strathclyde .

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Lord Hoyle, JP 1930-2024

 The Lord Hoyle, JP, life peer and former Labour MP, died 6 April, 2024, aged 94.

Eric Douglas Harvey Hoyle, Baron Hoyle was born 17 February, 1930. He was chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party from 1992 to 1997 and a lord-in-waiting from 1997 to 1999. A member of the Labour Party, he was Member of Parliament (MP) for Nelson and Colne from 1974 to 1979 and Warrington North from 1981 to 1997.

Doug Hoyle first stood for Parliament at Clitheroe in 1964, but came second. In 1970, he first fought Nelson and Colne, and was defeated by the Conservative incumbent David Waddington by 1,410 votes. He fought the seat again in February 1974, and reduced Waddington's margin to 177. He was finally elected at the general election of October 1974 for Nelson and Colne by 669 votes; this was the first Labour gain to be announced on election night. Hoyle narrowly lost his seat at the general election of 1979, but returned to Parliament in 1981 when he saw off a strong challenge from Roy Jenkins in a traditionally safe Labour seat. This was a notable by election in Warrington when enthusiasm for the newly created Social Democratic Party was at its peak. Constituency boundaries were redrawn for the general election of 1983, when he became MP for Warrington North.

Hoyle retired from the House of Commons at the general election of 1997, and on 14 May 1997, he was created a life peer as Baron Hoyle, of Warrington in the County of Cheshire. He retired from the Lords on 25 June 2023.

Lord Hoyle was a son of William Hoyle and his wife Leah Ellen. He married in 1953, Pauline Spencer (who died in 1991). His only son is Sir Lindsay Hoyle, MP (born 10 June, 1957), who has been Member of Parliament for Chorley since 1997 and Speaker of the House of Commons since 2019.

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Monty Jack Westropp-Rutter (born 2024)

Marina Monica (Mimi) Rutter (nee Westropp, born 22 Dec, 1993), wife of George Edward W. Rutter [born 1993], gave birth to a son, Monty Jack Westropp-Rutter, 31 March, 2024.

Mimi Rutter is a scion of the Westropp landed gentry family, daughter of Anthony Henry [Harry] Westropp [born 22 December, 1944], of Goadby Marwood, Leicestershire, and his wife the Hon Victoria Monica Watson [born 7 May, 1958], daughter of the late 3rd Baron Manton [1924-2003].

George Rutter is a son of Paul Stuart Rutter [born 1967], of Leadhall Drive, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, and his wife the former Karen Steel. 

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Lord Clinton, 22nd Baron 1934-2024

 Lord Clinton, the 22nd Baron, JP, DL, holder of one of England's oldest peerages, died 2 April, 2024, aged 89. He was the largest landowner in Devon.

Gordonstoun educated Lord Clinton, who took his seat in the House of Lords in 1965, was a member of the Prince of Wales's Council 1968-79, a JP for Bideford 1963-83, and a deputy Lieutenant of Devon from 1977.

Lord Clinton was seated at Heanton Satchville a historic manor near Okehampton, North Devon. With origins in the Domesday manor of Hantone, it was first recorded as belonging to the Yeo family in the mid-14th century and was then owned successively by the Rolle, Walpole and Trefusis families. The mansion house was destroyed by fire in 1795. In 1812 Lord Clinton purchased the manor and mansion of nearby Huish, renamed it Heanton Satchville, and made it his seat. The nearly-forgotten house was featured in the 2005 edition of Rosemary Lauder's "Vanished Houses of North Devon".

Lord Clinton was born Gerard Nevile Mark Fane, 7 October, 1934, the only son of Capt Charles Nevile Fane (1911-1940), and his wife the former Gladys Mabel Lowther; and was a grandson of the Hon Hon Harriet Hepburn-Stuart-Forbes-Trefusis (1887-1958), the elder daughter and co-heir of the 21st Baron Clinton, GCVO, PC, JP, DL (1863-1957); and he succeeded to the barony (created in 1298/99) on the termination of the abeyance of the peerage, 18 March, 1965.

Lord Clinton assumed the additional surname of Trefusis in addition to his patronymic, in 1958.

He married 18 July, 1959, Nicola Harriette Purdon Coote (born 6 January, 1937), eldest of the five daughters of Major Charles Robert Purdon Coote (1875-1954), of Ballyclough Castle and Bearforst, County Cork, by his wife the former Noel Margaret Jephson Stracey (1908-2009), scion of the Stracey baronets, by whom he had issue, a son, Charles, and two daughters, Caroline (born 23 May, 1960), and Henrietta (born 31 Jan, 1964.)

The son, the Hon Charles Patrick Rolle Fane Trefusis (born 21 March, 1962), now succeeds as 23rd Baron Clinton.

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James Sammy Chadwick Davis-Goff 1989-2024

 James Sammy Chadwick Davis-Goff, who died in a helicopter crash in the Swiss Alps, 2 April, 2024, aged 34, was a scion of the Davis-Goff baronets.

 'Jimmy Goff' was among three people who died in the crash. Davis-Goff, pilot Jerome Lovey and ski guide Adam George were killed when their Air-Glaciers B3 type helicopter was hit by an avalanche while on the summit of the Petit Combin mountain in southern Switzerland. They were due to go “heli-skiing”, which involves being dropped off by a helicopter at the top of a mountain. The helicopter was carried away off a steep slope and plunged 500 metres down the mountain before coming to a stop. Three passengers survived the fall: Edward Courage and brothers Teddy and Guy Hitchens.

James Davis-Goff was born in 1989, third son of Sir Robert William Davis-Goff, 4th Baronet (born 12 September, 1955), and his wife the former Nathalie Sheelagh Chadwick. 

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Sir William Mark Charles Garthwaite, 3rd Baronet

  Sir Mark Garthwaite, 3rd Baronet, died 23 March, 2024. He was 77.

Sir Mark was educated at Gordonstoun and the University of Pennsylvania (BSc)

William Mark Charles Garthwaite was born 4 November, 1946, son of Sir William Francis Cuthbert Garthwaite, 2nd Baronet, DSC (1906-1993), and his 2nd wife the former Patricia Beatrice Eden Neate (1916-2002); and succeeded to the baronetcy (cr UK, 1919), on his father's death, 15 December, 1993.

He married in 1979, Victoria Lisette (Vicki) Tuzo (born 1952), the only child of General Sir Harry Crauford Tuzo, GCB, OBE, MC (1917-1998), by whom he had issue, a son, William (born 14 May, 1982), and two daughters, Rosie Francesca (born 1980), a journalist, and Jemima Victoria (born 1984).

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Charles Alexander Nicholas Clifford (born 2024)

The Hon Mrs Alexander Clifford, wife of Lord Clifford of Chudleigh's heir, the Hon Alexander Clifford, gave birth to a son, Charles Alexander Nicholas, 12 January, 2024.

Mrs Clifford is the former Lucy Jane Lenygon (born 1986), daughter of Mr Nicholas J. Lenygon (born 1954) and Mrs Sarah J. Lenygon (nee Murray).

Alexander Clifford (born 24 September, 1985), is the elder son and heir of the 14th Baron Clifford of Chuldeigh (b 17 Mar, 1948) (Peerage of England, cr 1672), of Ugbrooke Park, Chudleigh, Devon, by his former wife (Muriel) Suzanne Austin. 

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Hon Rosemary Ethel Coupar Maitland 1931-2024

 The Hon Rosemary 'Romaire' Maitland, who died 27 March, 2024, aged 93, was the last surviving daughter of the 1st (and last) Baron Abertay, KBE, JP, DL (1875-1940).

She was born Rosemary Ethel Coupar Barrie in 1931, middle daughter of the 1st Baron Abertay and his wife the former Ethel Broom, and married 1952, John Stuart Maitland (who died 2008), by whom she had issue, three sons and one daughter.

The barony of Abertay became extinct with her father's death, 6 Dec, 1940.

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Harry Alexander Lowe (born 2024)

  Clementine Mary R. Lowe (born 1991, née Francklin), wife of Frederick James Lowe (born 1991), gave birth to a son, Harry Alexander, 12 March, 2024.

Clementine Lowe is a daughter of William Alexander Mavourn Francklin (born 1958), scion of that landed gentry family, and his wife the former Celina Lucinda Palmer (born 15 May, 1961), scion of the Palmer baronets, daughter of Sir Geoffrey Christopher John Palmer, 12th Baronet (born 30 June, 1936).

Fred Lowe is descended from the Baker baronets:-

Sir George Edward Dunstan Sherston Baker, 4th Baronet > Henrietta Baker > Michael Chapman > Nicola Chapman > Fred Lowe

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Clover Coco Bewley Macpherson (born 2024)

 Rosie Jean B. Macpherson [née Atkinson, born 1989], wife of Charles Edward Ian Macpherson [born 1989], gave birth to a daughter, Clover Coco Bewley, 25 March, 2024, a sister for Milo (born 2020), and Albie (born 2022).

Rosie is a daughter of Nigel Atkinson. Charles Macpherson is a son of Nigel Charles Blake Macpherson, and his wife the former Georgina Lily Fleur Mountain [born 1 Aug, 1959], scion of the Mountain baronets, daughter of Sir Denis Mountain, 3rd Baronet [1929-2005].

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Major Michael Thomas Noel Hamilton Wills, LVO 1940-2024

Major Tom Wills, Coldstream Guards, scion of the Wills baronets, died 20 March, 2024. He was 83.

He was owner of Miserden Park, a grand Jacobean manor with expansive, intricately laid out grounds near Stroud in Gloucestershire. He was High Sheriff of Gloucestershire in 1985, and appointed Exon HM Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard in 1993

He was born 31 May, 1940, (twin with a brother Frederick), a son of Major Michael Desmond Hamilton Wills, MC (1915-1943), Coldstream Guards, and his wife Mary Margaret Mitford (1916-2006), scion of that landed gentry family. His mother married 2ndly, 1947, Colonel Sir Martin St John Valentine Gibbs, KCVO, CB, DSO (1917-1992, of The Manor House, Ewen, near Cirencester.

Wills married in 1982 (div 1992), Penelope Howard-Baker (born 1953), daughter of Benjamin Howard-Baker, of Glascoed Hall, Llansilin, Shropshire, by his wife the former Ann Layfield, by whom he had issue, a son, Nicholas James Noel Hamilton Wills (born 1983), now of Miderden, and a daughter, Camilla Jane Hamilton Wills (born 1985).

Miserden was built in the early 17th century by the Sandys family. The natural scenery of Miserden, where it’s situated, is spectacular: its gardens overlook the River Frome and a deer park, while its grounds incorporate woodland and farmland. This magical, multifaceted estate in a Cotswolds hamlet, also called Miserden, has evolved gradually as successive owners have left their mark on it.

In the 1920s, Edwin Lutyens made a significant contribution to Miserden, which scooped the Historic Houses Garden of the Year Award in 2018; this has been presented annually since 1984 and is sponsored by Christie’s. In 1919, (Frederick) Noel Hamilton Wills (1887-1927), (grandfather of Maj Tom), bought the property in 1913 — and commissioned Lutyens to design a new east wing with an arched loggia after the house was badly damaged by a fire. He also created a loggia and a striking topiary yew walk featuring crenellations echoing those of the loggia.

It seems to run in the Wills family to be green-fingered. Tom Wills, a grandson of Noel and his wife the former Margery Fraser moved into the estate after his grandmother died in 1980 and devoted himself for 40 years to maintaining her legacy, while making his own additions, largely inspired by his passion for trees and forestry. In 2013, he planted a circle of lime trees opposite the house to mark the centenary of the Wills family owning Miserden. He also established its arboretum, planting about 75 per cent of its trees.

Maj Tom Wills was appointed LVO by Queen Elizabeth II.

 A private funeral for family and those of Miserden village, by invitation, will be held on Wednesday 10 April, 2024. There will be a Memorial Service at the Parish Church of St John Baptist, Cirencester on Wednesday 15 May, 2024.

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Elisabeth, Baroness Amherst of Hackney 1943-2024

 Elisabeth, Baroness Amherst of Hackney, who died 18 March, 2024, aged 80, was the widow of the 4th Baron Amherst of Hackney.

She was born in 1943, a daughter of Hugh Humphrey Merriman, DSO, MC, TD (1910-1983), of Letts Green, Knockholt, Kent, and his wife the former Anne Margaret Holden Illingworth (1914-1998), scion of that landed gentry family; and married 30 March, 1965, the then Hon William Hugh Amherst Cecil (born 28 December, 1940), son and heir of Major the 3rd Baron Amherst of Hackney, CBE (1912-80), and his wife the former Margaret Eirene Clifton Brown (1921-2009). Her husband succeeded his father as 4th Baron, 22 July, 1980, and died 2 April, 2009.

Lady Amherst of Hackney leaves issue, a son, William, the 5th Baron (born 17 July, 1968), and a daughter the Hon Aurelia (who was born 19 July, 1966).

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Lady Anne Elizabeth Grania Phipps 1965-2024

 The Lady Anne Elizabeth Grania Phipps, who died 18 March, 2024, aged 58, was the seventh and youngest child of the 4th Marquis of Normanby, KG, CBE (1912-1994), of Mulgrave Castle, Whitby, by his wife the former Hon Grania Maeve Rosura Guinness, OBE (1920-2018), scion of the Barons Moyne.

She was unmarried. The funeral Service and Interment take place on Thursday 4th April 2024, at St Oswald's Church, Lythe, Whitby, North Yorkshire.

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(Helen) Vernon Bruce 1927-2024

 (Helen) Vernon Wallop Bruce, who has died aged 96, was a scion of the Earls of Portsmouth.

She was born 16 December, 1927, the second daughter of Vice-Admiral Sir Peveril Barton Reibey William-Powlett, KCB, KCMG, CBE, DSO (1898-1985), and his wife Helen Constance Forbes Crombie (1903-1965); and married 17 May, 1951, Lieutenant-Commander Henry Victor Bruce of Salloch, RN, DL (1924-2011), a scion of the Earls of Elgin & Kincardine, eldest son of Capt the Hon John Bernard Bruce, RN (1892-1971), and his wife the former Helen Rachel Rawstorne (who died 1983), by whom she had issue, two sons, Peveril John Bruce of Salloch (born 6 Oct, 1953), and Maj-Gen Alastair Andrew Bernard Reibey Bruce of Crionaich, OBE, Governor of Edinburgh Castle, journalist, TV correspondent and herald (born 25 June, 1960), and two daughters, Robina Helen (born 27 May, 1952), and Lucinda Jane (born 1 January, 1956).

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Husmann/Cooke-Yarborough engagement

 The engagement was announced 23 March, 2024, between Hans Husmann, only son of Mr and Mrs Uwe W Husmann of Hansestadt Stralsund, Western Pomerania, Germany, and Eliza Flora Cooke-Yarborough (born 1993), elder daughter of Sir Anthony Edmund Cooke-Yarborough, 13th Baronet (born 6 August, 1956), of Barford St Michael, Oxfordshire, and his wife the former Joanna Susan Northrop (born 1957).

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Wills/Thompson engagement

 The engagement was announced 23 March, 2024, between George Edmund Hamilton Wills (born 1993), scion of the Barons Dulverton, second son of Christopher Aubrey Hamilton Wills (born 21 February, 1953), of Litchfield, Hampshire, and his wife the Lady Katharine Anne Meade (born 10 Aug, 1959), scion of the Earls of Clanwilliam, & Emma V.B. Thompson, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Michael Gavin Thompson, of Wadhurst, East Sussex.

George Wills is a grandson maternally of the late 6th Earl of Clanwilliam (1914-1989).

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Erskine-Hill/Connell engagement

 The marriage took place, 2 March, 2024, between Robert Benjamin (Ben) Erskine-Hill (born 6 August, 1986), son and heir of Sir Alexander Roger Erskine-Hill of Quothquhan, 3rd Baronet (born 15 Aug, 1949), of Blairgowrie, Perthshire, and his wife the former Sarah Anne Sydenham Clarke, & Rebecca Dominique Connell (born 1988).

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Lord Vivian engaged to Saweda Kamara

 The engagement was announced 21 March, 2024, between Charles Crespigny Hussey Vivian, 7th Baron Vivian (born 20 December, 1966), son of the late 6th Baron Vivian (1935-2004), and his first wife the former Catherine Joyce Hope (born 1939), scion of that landed gentry family, & Saweda Kamara, only daughter of the late Mr Alex Kamara and Mrs Jeanette Eccles-James (née Smythe-Macaulay), of Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Lord Vivian is the 7th Baron (Peerage of the UK, cr 1841), and a Baronet (cr 1828). His mother married secondly, as his 2nd wife, 5 June, 1972, the 8th Earl of Mexborough (born 16 May, 1931).

Lord Vivian married firstly in 2011 (div), Mrs M. Elizabeth Wimpress, daughter of Gregory Vatterott of St Louis, Missouri, USA. He has no children, and the heir presumptive to his peerage and baronetcy is his cousin, Thomas Crespigny Brabazon Vivian (born 17 January, 1971).

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Tessa Tiggy Elizabeth Ponsonby (born 2024)

  Joanna Kate Ponsonby [nee Sutton, born 1987], wife of Frederick Edward Ponsonby [born 1986], scion of the Ponsonby baronets, gave birth to a daughter, Tessa Tiggy Elizabeth, 5 March, 2024, a sister for Archie Jonathan Charles, who was born 19 September, 2019, and for Penelope Sylvia Mary, born 5 August, 2021. 

Fred Ponsonby is a younger son of Sir Charles Ponsonby, 3rd Baronet [born 1951], of Woodstock, co Oxford, by his wife the former Mary Priscilla Bromley Davenport, scion of that landed gentry family.

Joanna Ponsonby is a daughter of Robert Hiles Sutton [born 1954], of Newton Valence, co Hampshire, by his wife the former Caroline Jane Dewey [born 1955], daughter of Sir Anthony Dewey, 3rd Baronet [1921-2016].

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Son and heir for Viscount and Viscountess Newport

  Eliza Bridgeman, styled Viscountess Newport, wife of Alexander Michael Orlando Bridgeman, styled Viscount Newport [born 6 September, 1980], has given birth to a son and heir, Archibald Henry Orlando (Archie), 19 March, 2024.

Viscoutess Newport (born 1991, nee Eliza Liepina), was educated at Auckland University, New Zealand. The Newports married at Weston Park, Shropshire, 14 May, 2022.

Viscount Newport is the eldest of the four children of the 7th Earl of Bradford [born 3 Oct, 1947], of Weston-under-Lizard, Shifnal, Shropshire, and his former 1st wife the former Joanna Elizabeth Miller [now Mrs Philip Porter, of Hungerford, Berkshire].

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(George Richard) Hugh Bredin 1935-2024

 Hugh Bredin, who died 10 March, 2024, aged 89, was a croquet player, jazz fan, author, illustrator, pen-and-ink cartoonist, contributor to Punch and Private Eye – and, for more than 30 years, a senior copywriter at some of Britain’s largest advertising agencies, including the American-owned J Walter Thompson...

In 1980 he published The Jeeves Cocktail Book: A Guide to Mixed Drinking. By then his art had already been used to launch the popular new “international intrigue” board game Diplomacy which still flourishes today; the design of the game somehow echoed Bredin’s own flamboyance – especially the loud kipper ties made for him by the celebrated Mayfair boutique owner Mr Fish.

George Richard Hugh Bredin was born 3 March, 1935, on the Wirral Peninsula across the Mersey from Liverpool, a descendant of a Huguenot family who had moved from Bordeaux to Ireland in the 17th century and included Picasso’s long-standing lawyer Jean-Denis Bredin. He was son of George Richard Frederick Bredin, CBE (1899-1983), and his wife the former Dorothy Ellison (1896-1997).

His maternal grandfather, Thomas Richard Ellison (1864-1929), had been president of the Liverpool Cotton Exchange. Hugh’s father George would soon serve as governor of the Blue Nile province in Sudan.

Hugh’s early childhood was spent in the hands of his forthright mother who enjoyed golf, bridge and horse racing and once played tennis in Monaco with Charlie Chaplin.

Hugh began his formal education at Mostyn House, Cheshire. Unusually, his nanny, Miss Mowle, went with him to the prep school – she was given the role of under-matron – and was soon called “Nanny” by the entire school.

Bredin had married in 1957 (div) Mary Gabrielle Drew (born 1936), scion of that landed gentry family, a student at the Oxford Theatre School, daughter of Brigadier Alec Wilson Drew, CBE (1902-1970), and his wife the former Edna Susan Moffitt (1905-65); and married 2ndly, in 1967, Nina Violet Tamara Talbot Rice (1941-2004), daughter of Lieutenant-Col David Talbot Rice, CBE, TD (1903-1972), scion of the Barons Dynevor, by his wife the former Tamara Abelson (1904-1993).

He leaves issue from both marriages.

 

Bridget Rose Dugdale 1941-2024

 Rose Dugdale, the English aristocrat who led a notorious IRA art heist, died 18 March, 2024, at the age of 82.

The death of the disinherited heiress comes just days before a film about her life is to be released in cinemas.

Bridget Rose Dugdale, the rebellious former debutante from Devon turned her back on a life of privilege to join the IRA in the 1970s, and went on to mastermind a multimillion-pound fine art heist. She was born in Devon, 25 March, 1941, scion of a landed gentry family, daughter of James Dugdale (1904-1991), a millionaire Lloyd's underwriter, of Yarty Farm, Axminster, and his wife the former Caroline Edith Sutton Timmis (1903-1986). 

Her grandfather was Major James Gordon Dugdale, DSO, MVO, MC (1874-1955), of The Abbey, Cirencester.

The Oxford graduate was the ringleader of the 1974 IRA raid on the Russborough House estate in Co Wicklow, in which 19 valuable paintings were stolen.

She was involved in other IRA operations, including a failed bid to drop bombs on to a police station in Northern Ireland using a helicopter hijacked in Co Donegal.

The republican bombmaker was convicted and sentenced to nine years in prison for her IRA activities. She was pregnant at the time and gave birth to a son inside Limerick prison.

The film telling the story of the art heist, Baltimore, will be released in cinemas this Friday.

Actress Imogen Poots plays Rose Dugdale in the thriller directed by Joe Lawlor and Christine Molloy.

She had been living in a care home in Dublin in recent years.

Sinn Fein TD for Dublin South Central, Aengus O Snodaigh, extended his sympathies to her friends and family.

Rose was a committed republican and was unflinching in her beliefs

Aengus O Snodaigh, Sinn Fein TD

He said: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Rose Dugdale this morning, and on my own behalf and that of Sinn Fein I wish to offer heartfelt condolences to her friends, family and party members.

“Rose was a committed republican and was unflinching in her beliefs, and Ireland has today lost a committed republican and activist, and Sinn Fein a valued comrade.”

He added: “Rose for many decades lived in Dublin, in the south inner-city, Drimnagh, and in recent years in a nursing home in Chapelizod, and was an active member of Sinn Fein.

“She was extremely committed to her community, both in her work for Sinn Fein, where she was a hugely popular figure locally and nationally, but also in a wide variety of community groups.

“She was also a great educator of Sinn Fein activists and representatives, many of whom benefited from her vast knowledge and life experiences, and who are all feeling the loss of a dear friend and comrade today.”

She was mother of a son, Ruairi, fathered by Eddie Gallagher, who was born 3 Oct, 1975.

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Lieutenant-Col John Rochfort Yerburgh 1931-2024

Lieutenant-Colonel John Rochfort Yerburgh, who died 3 February, 2024, aged 92, was a scion of that landed family (later Barons Alvingham).

He was born 14 September, 1931, the eldest son of the Rev Oswald Rochfort Yerburgh (1900-1966), and his wife the former Cicely Joan Savile (1901-1981), scion of that landed gentry family; and married 17 August, 1963, Gillian Elizabeth Clifford (1944-2023), daughter of Derek Plint Clifford (1915-2003), of Hartlip Place, Sittingbourne, Kent, and his wife the former Betty Norah Pierson (1917-1984), by whom he had issue, Toby William Rochfort (born 9 Oct, 1965), and a daughter, Sophia Jane Clifford (born 8 January, 1967).

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Audley Mark Mackworth-Praed 1955-2024

 Audley Mark Mackworth-Praed, who died 8 March, 2024, aged 68, was a scion of that landed gentry family, sometime of Mickleham.

He was born 8 September, 1955, second son of Major Humphrey Mackworth-Praed (1919-1995), and his wife the former Penelope Tompson (1922-2010), scion of that landed family; and married in 1983, Debra Woodwards, by whom he had issue, Kelly, Verity, Meredith and Alex.

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Life peerages gazetted

Crown Office

THE KING has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 7 March 2024 to confer the dignity of a Barony of the United Kingdom for life upon the following:

In the forenoon

Franck Robert Marie Petitgas, by the name, style and title of BARON PETITGAS, of Bosham in the County of West Sussex.

In the afternoon

Sydney John Peter Booth, by the name, style and title of BARON BOOTH, of Houghton-le-Spring in the City of Sunderland.

Crown Office

THE KING has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 8 March 2024 to confer the dignity of a Barony of the United Kingdom for life upon the following:

In the forenoon

John Charles Fuller, O.B.E., by the name, style and title of BARON FULLER, of Gorleston-on-Sea in the County of Norfolk.

In the afternoon

Stuart Adam Marks, C.B.E., by the name, style and title of BARON MARKS OF HALE, of Hale in the County of Greater Manchester

THE KING has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 11 March 2024 to confer the dignity of a Barony of the United Kingdom for life upon the following:

In the forenoon

Paul Alexander Cyril Goodman, by the name, style and title of BARON GOODMAN OF WYCOMBE, of High Wycombe in the County of Buckinghamshire.

In the afternoon

James Gerard Jamieson, by the name, style and title of BARON JAMIESON, of Maulden in the County of Bedfordshire.

THE KING has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 12 March 2024 to confer the dignity of a Barony of the United Kingdom for life upon the following:

In the forenoon

The Honourable Rosamond Mary Monckton, M.B.E., by the name, style and title of BARONESS MONCKTON OF DALLINGTON FOREST, of Earlsdown in the County of East Sussex.

In the afternoon

John Hannett, O.B.E., by the name, style and title of BARON HANNETT OF EVERTON, of Bramley-Moore Dock in the City of Liverpool.

Crown Office

THE KING has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 13 March 2024 to confer the dignity of a Barony of the United Kingdom for life upon the following:

In the forenoon

Carmen Ria Smith, by the name, style and title of BARONESS SMITH OF LLANFAES, of Llanfaes in the County of Ynys Môn.

In the afternoon

Jane Ramsey, by the name, style and title of BARONESS RAMSEY OF WALL HEATH, of Dulwich in the London Borough of Southwark.

Crown Office

THE KING has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 14 March 2024 to confer the dignity of a Barony of the United Kingdom for life upon Ayesha Yousef Hazarika, M.B.E., by the name, style and title of BARONESS HAZARIKA, of Coatbridge in the County of Lanarkshire

Caspar Thomas Maclaren Coghill (born 2024)

 Marina Alice Victoria Coghill (born 1989, nee Fairfax), wife of James Coghill, gave birth to a son, Caspar Thomas Maclaren, 4 March, 2024, a brother for Astrid Mary Ulla (born 2022).

James is a son of Mr & Mrs Richard Coghill, of Hong Kong.

Marina, a scion of the Lords Fairfax of Cameron, is the econd daughter of the Hon Hugh Nigel Thomas Fairfax [born 29 March, 1958], of London, by his wife the former Victoria Janet Neave [born 1959], scion of the Neave baronets.

Marina Fairfax is a granddaughter of the late 13th Lord Fairfax of Cameron [1923-64], by his wife the former Sonia Helen Gunston [died 2017], sometime Lady of the Bedchamber to HM Queen Elizabeth II.

Marina Fairfax Fashion Consultancy was founded in 2019 by Marina Fairfax after 12 years in the international modelling business.  Based in Hong Kong and working on an international level, Marina Fairfax Fashion Consultancy’s  aims to connect the international modelling and fashion industry to Hong Kong and Asia. Covering different aspects of the fashion industry from scouting, placement, development, casting and production. 

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Hon Henry Peter David Hives (born 2024)

 _. The Lady Hives, wife of Lord Hives, Matthew Peter Hives, the 3rd Baron, gave birth to a son, the Hon Henry Peter David, 9 March, 2024, a brother for the Hon Florence Harriet Hives, (born 13 July, 2020), and Sybil Dinah.

Matthew Peter Hives was born 25 May, 1971, son of the Hon Peter Anthony Hives [1921-74], by his wife the former Dinah Wilson-North, and is a grandson of the 1st Baron Hives, CH, MBE [1886-1965].

Matthew Hives succeeded his uncle, 8 Oct, 1997, as 3rd Baron Hives. He married in 2017, Dr Davina Meredith, youngest daughter of Mr David Meredith, of Shinrone, Co Offaly and Mrs Sandra Meredith, of Birr, Co Offaly.

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Hon Mikaela Irwin (née Rawlinson) 1941-2024

 The Hon Mikaela Irwin, who died 6 March, 2024, aged 82, was a daughter of the life peer, Lord Rawlinson of Ewell.

She was born Mikaela Rawlinson in 1941, the eldest child of Peter Anthony Grayson Rawlinson, PC, QC (1919-2006), and his first wife the former Haidee Kavanagh. Her father was Conservative MP for Epsom 1955-1978, Solicitor General and later Attorney General, PC (1964), created a life peer in 1978 as Baron Rawlinson of Ewell.

She married in February, 1964 (div 1989), as his first wife, Jonathan Hiatt Dermot Nicolson Irwin (1941-2023), son of the actor John Irwin, by whom she had issue, four sons, Charles (born 1965), Luke (born 1967), Jago (born 1972), and Samson (born 1982).

Her second son, Luke Irwin, is married to Alice Elliot, niece of HM Queen Camilla.

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Richard Keith Campbell-Walter 1941-2024

 Richard Keith Campbell-Walter, who died 1 March, 2024, aged 82, was a scion of the Campbell-Walter of Airds Bay landed gentry family, and descended from the Campbell baronets.

He was born 3 March, 1941, the elder son of Rear Admiral Keith McNeil Campbell-Walter, CB (1904-1976), ADC to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II, and his wife Frances Henriette Campbell (1904-1997).

Richard's elder sister is the fashion model Fiona Campbell-Walter (born 25 June, 1932), a great beauty, photograped by Cecil Beaton. She appeared on the cover of Life magazine and Vogue, and who married 17 September, 1956 (div 1965), the Baron Hans Heinrich von Thyssen-Bornemisza de Kászon  (1921-2002), the Dutch-born Swiss industrialist, heir to a great German fortune.

Richard Campbell-Walter married 10 August, 1963, (Marion) Clare Minter (born 1942), daughter of Frederick George Minter (1916-1998), and his wife the former Kathleen Patricia Sale (1915-1984), and a granddaughter of Sir Frederick Albert Minter GCVO JP (1887-1976) a civil engineer most notable for his restoration of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle in the 1930s. 

Campbell-Walter leaves a son, Jamie (born 16 Dec 1972), and two daughters, Lavinia (born 12 July, 1964), and Petrina (born 28 July, 1967).

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Greeves/Hazlerigg engagement

 The engagement was announced 15 March, 2024, between Thomas Charles Peroni (Tom) Greeves (born 1993), son of Toby V. Greeves, of Taplow, Buckinghamshire, and his wife the former Charlotte A. Peroni, and the Hon Viola Camilla Alice Hazlerigg (born 1 July, 1993), third daughter of the late 3rd Baron Hazlerigg (1951-2022), of Noseley Hall, and his first wife Laura Dugdale (born 20 September, 1963), of Notting Hill, London, scion of the Dugdale baronets.

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Sir Jonah Walker-Smith, 2nd Baronet 1939-2024

 Sir Jonah Walker-Smith, 2nd Baronet, a barrister and sometime a Recorder of the Crown Court, died 9 March, 2024, aged 84.

He was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple, 1963, and appointed a Recorder of the Crown Court in 1980.

John Jonah Walker-Smith was born 6 September, 1939, son of Derek Colclough Walker-Smith, TD, QC, PC (born 13 Apr, 1910), and his wife the former Dorothy Etherton (who died 8 March, 1999), scion of that landed gentry family. His father was Conservative MP for Hertfordshire East 1955-83, Minister of Health, 1957-60, created a baronet, 18 Aug, 1960, and a life peer, as Baron Broxbourne, on quitting the Commons, 21 September, 1983.

Jonah Walker-Smith succeeded to his father's baronetcy, 22 January, 1992. He married 26 Oct, 1974, Aileen Marie Smith, daughter of Joseph Smith, by whom he had issue, a son, Dan, and a daughter, Charmian (born 23 Aug, 1977).

The son, Daniel Derek Walker-Smith (born 26 March, 1980), succeeds as third baronet.

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The Baron Marks of Hale: life peerage gazetted

 The life peerage recently conferred upon Stuart Adam Marks, CBE, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Marks of Hale, of Hale in the County of Greater Manchester.

Lord Marks of Hale is a technology businessman and philanthropist. He is a senior treasurer of and a donor to the Conservative Party, having given £119,500 to the party since 2013. Marks was appointed CBE in the 2019 Birthday Honours for voluntary political service, and was nominated for a life peerage by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

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The Baron Fuller: life peerage gazetted

 The barony awarded for life on Mr John Charles Fuller, OBE, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Fuller, of Gorleston-on-Sea in the County of Norfolk.

John Fuller is the Leader of North Norfolk Council, a Conservative, and will sit on the Tory benches in the House of Lords.

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Peter Booth's life peerage gazetted

 The life barony recently awarded to Sydney John Peter Booth, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Booth, of Houghton-le-Spring in the City of Sunderland.

Peter Booth is a design and retail businessman and national chairman of the Conservative National Convention. He will sit on the Tory benches in the House of Lords.

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Life peerage gazetted: Baron Petigas

 The life peerage recently conferred upon Franck Robert Marie Petitgas has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Petigas, of Bosham in the County of West Sussex.

The peer (born 25 February 1961), is a French banker based in the United Kingdom. Formerly head of international at Morgan Stanley, he is a special adviser on business and investment to British prime minister Rishi Sunak and has been a member of the House of Lords since 2024. He was born on 25 February 1961 in Nantes, France, to Victor and Denise Petitgas. He was educated at ESCP Business School in Paris. Lord Petitgas worked at S. G. Warburg & Co. from 1986 before joining the investment bank Morgan Stanley in 1993. In 2005 he was appointed a co-head of European banking, and became the firm's head of investment banking in 2007. He retired from Morgan Stanley in November 2022, but remained a senior adviser to the company.

Petitgas was appointed to a four-year term as a trustee of the Tate Galleries in February 2008. He is a collector of contemporary Latin American art.

In April 2023, British prime minister Rishi Sunak appointed Petitgas a business and investment adviser as Sunak sought to increase business investment and deliver on the government's economic pledges. Petitgas has donated £35,000 to the Conservative Party.

Lord Petitgas was appointed a knight (chevalier) of the Legion of Honour in France's 2012 New Year honours. 

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Baron Shamash, of West Didsbury in the City of Manchester

 The life peerage recently conferred upon Mr Gerald David Shamash, has veen gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Shamash, of West Didsbury in the City of Manchester. Lord Shamash will sit on the Labour benches in the House of Lords.

Lord Shamash (born 1947), is a lawyer, and has acted as a solicitor for the Labour Party since 1990,  having worked for the party since at least 1983. He advised Labour during the Cash-for-Honours and parliamentary expenses scandals, and acted for public figures affected by the phone-hacking scandal. At the 1979 general election, Shamash stood unsuccessfully as a Labour Party candidate in the safe Conservative seat of Shoreham. He was subsequently elected a member of Barnet London Borough Council at the 1986 and 1990 council elections, representing the ward of Burnt Oak for two terms. Shamash has served as a magistrate in London since 1985. Shamash was nominated by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.

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Life peerage conferred on Charles Banner has been gazetted

 The life peerage recently conferred upon Charles Banner, KC, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Banner, of Barnt Green in the County of Worcestershire, 8 March, 2024.

Lord Banner (born 3 June 1980), is a lawyer, born to Edward Banner and Rachel Banner (née Macfarlane). He read classics (literae humaniores) at Lincoln College, Oxford, graduating in 2002. He then studied for the Postgraduate Diploma in Law at City, University of London, and graduated from King's College London in 2004 after studying EU law. He was called to the bar of England and Wales in 2004 and of Northern Ireland in 2010. Banner was appointed Queen's Counsel in 2019; at the age of 38, he was the youngest barrister to be appointed in that year.

Nominated by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Banner now sits on the Conservative benches, where it was announced that Lord Banner would lead the review into national infrastructure projects to streamline their procedure and cut down legal challenges.

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The Baron McAvoy, KBE, PC 1943-2024

 The Baron McAvoy, KBE, PC, who died 8 March, 2024, aged 80, was, as Tommy McAvoy, a Labour and Co-operative politician, MP for  for Glasgow Rutherglen from 1987 to 2005, and Rutherglen and Hamilton West from 2005 to 2010.

McAvoy held several positions in the Government Whips' Office in the administrations of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, serving as Comptroller of the Household from 1997 to 2008 and Treasurer of the Household from 2008 to 2010. He entered the Lords after choosing not to seek re-election to the Commons, where he served as an Opposition Spokesperson for Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as a Senior Whip. McAvoy held the position of Lords Opposition Chief Whip from 2018 to 2021 after serving as Deputy Chief Whip from 2015 to 2018.

He was sworn of the Privy Council in 2003, appointed KBE in 2022, and created a life peer as Baron McAvoy, of Rutherglen in Lanarkshire, in 2010.   

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