trenchard

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Peerage News: Rhodes is on holiday for a week

I am escaping from the UK for a week, and my reports might be lacking, or sporadic in the coming days.


Life peerage for the Earl of Kinnoull

THE KING has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 6 February 2026 to confer the dignity of a Barony of the United Kingdom for life upon Charles William Harley Hay, 16th Earl of Kinnoull, by the name, style and title of BARON KINNOULL OF THE OCHILS, of Abernyte in the County of Perthshire.

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Monday, February 09, 2026

The Earl of Dundee has married Julia Trotter

 The marriage took place 17 January, 2026, at St Philip's Church, London W8, between Alexander Henry Scrymgeour of Dundee, the 12th Earl of Dundee (born 5 June, 1949), a widower, son of the late 11th Earl of Dundee (1902-1983), and his wife the former Pamela Katherine Montagu Douglas Scott (1910-2012), scion of the Dukes of Buccleuch and Queensberry, and Mrs Julia Henrietta Trotter (nee Greenwell) [born 2 February, 1946], widow of Major Alexander Richard Trotter, 14th of Mortonhall and 5th of Charterhall, CVO, who died 3 August, 2022, and daughter of Sir Peter McClintock Greenwell, 3rd Baronet [1914-78], and his wife the former Jean Henrietta Rose Haig-Thomas [1920-2010].

The Earl of Dundee married 1stly, 19 July, 1979, Siobhan Mary Llewellyn, who died 11 March, 2019, by whom he has a son and three daughters.

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Saturday, February 07, 2026

Cotton/Hadrill engagement

The engagement was announced 7 February, 2026, between Oliver Charles Cotton (born 20 February, 1987), son of Richard Robert Cotton (born 10 January, 1956), scion of the Cotton baronets, now Viscounts Combermere, of Bramdean, Hampshire, and his wife the former Corin Wevers, & Mia Bridget Hadrill (born 1990), daughter of David J. Hadrill, of Brighton, East Sussex, and his wife Christine M. Gent.

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Henrietta Isabelle Lyon Cazalet (born 2026)

Stephanie Cazalet (née Hollingworth), wife of George Oscar L. Cazalet (born Apr, 1989), gave birth to a daughter, Henrietta Isabelle Lyon, 29 January, 2026, a sister for Florence Amelia R (who was born 2023).

George is a son of Peter Charles Grenville Cazalet (born 1959), scion of that landed gentry family, of Fairlawne, by his wife the former Victoria Jane Perry (born 1960).

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Michael Davidson-Houston 1937-2026

 Michael Davidson-Houston, died 1 February, 2026, aged 88. He was a scion of that landed gentry family.

He was born in 1937, son of Brigadier James Vivian Davidson-Houston, MBE, OStJ (1901-1965), and his wife the former Cecily Alice Ayscough Stockdale (1903-1993). He married 28 February, 1969, Jane P. Coghlan (born 1944), daughter of Humphrey St John Coghlan (1915-1988), of Holly Bank, Birstwith, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, and his wife the former Marie Lilian Lacoste (1914-1998), by whom he had two sons, Mark (born 1969), and James (born 1971).

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David Hugh Kynaston Mainwaring 1940-2026

 David Hugh Kynaston Mainwaring, who died 16 January, 2026, aged 85, was a scion of that landed gentry family.

Born in Montgomeryshire in 1940, he is a son pf Brigadier Hugh Salusbury Kynaston Mainwaring, CB, CBE, DSO, TD (1906-1976), and his wife Diana Dugdale (1913-1967), scion of that family of Wroxall; and married in July, 1971, at Okehampton, Elizabeth C. Orr, daughter of Major James Orr, of Spreyton, Devon, by his wife the former Olga Burton,  and had issue, two sons, Hugh Alexander Kynaston (born Jan 1973), and Henry Lloyd Kynaston (born March, 1975).

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Saunders/Slater engagement

 The engagement was announced 7 February, 2026, between Jeremy Peter Saunders (born 14 December, 1996), elder son of Michael Potter Saunders (born August, 1963), of Cheney Longville, Shropshire, by his wife the former Katherine L. Peyton Jones (born 1964), scion of that landed gentry family, and Flora Clementine Slater (born 17 November, 1996), elder daughter of Simon Hugh Slater (born 1949), of Chelsea, London, and his wife the former Katherine Patricia Menzies (born 1960).

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Sir Richard Thomas Williams-Bulkeley, 14th Baronet 1939-2026

 Sir Richard Thomas Williams-Bulkeley, 14th Baronet, died 29 January, 2026. He was 86.

He was born 25 May, 1939, son of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Richard Harry David Williams-Bulkeley, 13th Baronet (1911-1992), and his wife the former Renée Arundell Neave (1913-1994), scion of the Neave baronets; and succeeded to the baronetcy (cr E, 1661), upon his father's death, 3 February, 1992.

He married 14 May, 1964, Sarah Susan Phillimore (born 1 May, 1940), daughter of His Honour Sir Henry Phillimore, OBE, PC (1910-1974), a Lord Justice of Appeal, by his wife the former Katharine Mary Maude Roxby (1912-1984), scion of that landed gentry family, by whom he had issue, two sons, Richard & Harry and a daughter, Victoria.

The elder son, Maj Richard Hugh Williams-Bulkeley (born 8 July, 1968), succeeds as the 15th baronet.

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Archibald Hamilton Makepeace Huntley (born 2025)

Emily Ann Huntley (née Gladstone), wife of George Malcolm Huntley (born 1992), and scion of the Gladstones of Capenoch, gave birth to a son, George Archibald, 28 December, 2025. 

George Huntley is a scion of that landed gentry family, son of Andrew Richmond Huntley (born 30 November, 1953),  and his wife the former Rachel J.K. Waldron (born 1958).

Emily Huntley (born 28 November, 1994), is a daughter of Andrew Malcolm Gladstone (born 4 Oct, 1958) and his wife the former Mary Sweet-Escott (born 1961), scion of that landed gentry family.

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Friday, February 06, 2026

Drayson/Duchenne engagement

The engagement was announced 7 February, 2026, between the Hon George Edward Rudd Drayson (born 1999), second son of the life peer the Baron Drayson (born 5 March, 1960), of Kensington, and his wife the former Elpseth Jane Bellhouse (born 1960), & Emily Vivienne Sophia Duchenne (born 1999), daughter of Charles Pierre Michel Duchenne (born May, 1949), of Biddenham, Bedfordshire, and his wife the former Josephine May Mazzawi (born May, 1962).

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Hero Rose Hamilton Muir (born 2026)

 Ella Muir (nee Hadsley-Chaplin), wife of Tom Muir, gave birth to a daughter Hero Rose Hamilton, 21 January, 2026, a sister for Max.

Ella is a daughter of Mark R. Hadsley-Chaplin (born 1961), of Mersea Island, Essex, and his wife the former Lavinia Brodie Henderson (born 9 May, 1962, now Mrs James Gilbey, of London, wife of James Newman Gilbey, born 1956, scion of the Gilbey baronets).

The infant is descended from a brother of the 1st Baron Faringdon:-

George Henderson (1819-89) father of the 1st Baron Faringdon and Katrina's ancestor, Brig Gen Sir Brodie Haldane Henderson, KCMG (1869-1936) > Neil Brodie Henderson (1904-82) > Ian Brodie Henderson (b 1930) > Lavinia Brodie Henderson (b 1962) > Ella Hadsley-Chaplin > Hero Muir (b 2026).

Tom Muir is a son of Dr and Mrs Julian Muir.

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Thursday, February 05, 2026

The Aga Khan has been given the title 'His Highness' by King Charles III

 Prince Rahim Aga Khan, the Aga Khan V, has dined with the King at Windsor Castle and has been awarded the title 'His Highness', a honour traditionally given by the British monarch to the hereditary Iman of the Shia Ismaili Muslims.

The Aga Khan is the fiftieth hereditary Iman of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. He succeeded his father, Prince Karim, in February, 2025.

In 1957 when his father succeeded as the 49th Iman, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II bestowed upon him the title of His Highness. 

The Aga Khan married in 2013 (div) Kendra Spears, who was thereafter styled Princess Salwa Aga Khan, and they have two sons, Irfan and Sinan.

The Aga Khan, has numerous descents and connections to the British peerage and landed gentry. 

He was born 12 October, 1971, the first son of the late Aga Khan IV (1936-2025), and his first wife the former Sarah Frances Croker-Poole (born 28 January, 1940), whose first husband, Lord James Crichton-Stuart (1935-82), was a younger son of the 5th Marquess of Bute (1907-56). 

The late Aga Khan's mother was the former Hon Joan Barbara Yarde-Buller (1908-1997), eldest daughter of the 3rd Baron Churston, OBE, MVO (1873-1930), of Laleham House, Middlesex, by his wife the actress Jessie Smither (who took to the stage as Denise Orme) (1884-1960).

The Aga Khan V is a great-nephew of Denise Yarde-Buller (1916-2005), Baroness Ebury, wife of the 5th Baron, and of Lydia Yarde-Buller (1917-2006), Duchess of Bedford, wife of the late 13th Duke of Bedford (1917-2002). Another great-aunt was Primrose Yarde-Buller (1918-1970), Countess Cadogan, wife of the 7th Earl Cadogan (1914-1997), owner of the vast Cadogan estates in Central London. 

The Aga Khan is also a descendant of King Edward III.

Edward III > John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster > Joan Beaufort, Countess of Westmorland > Richard Neville, 5th Earl of Salisbury > Katherine Neville > Cecily Bonville > Elizabeth Fitzgerald > Elizabeth Grey > Edward Fitzgerald > Thomas Fitzgerald > George, 16th Earl of Kildare > Robert Fitzgerald > Robert, 19th Earl of Kildare > James, 1st Duke of Leinster > William, 2nd Duke of Leinster > Lady Emily Fitzgerald > Admiral Sir Hastings Yelverton > Barbara Yelverton > John, 3rd Baron Churston > Joan Yarde-Buller > HH The Aga Khan IV > The Aga Khan V

The Aga Khan is a ninth cousin of King Charles III. Both descend from Henry Bentinck, 1st Duke of Portland.

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Baroness Limb

 The life peerage recently awarded to Dame Ann Geraldine Limb, DBE, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baroness Limb, of Moss Side in the City of Manchester.

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Wednesday, February 04, 2026

Earl and Countess Spencer divorced

The 14 year marriage of the Earl and Countess Spencer has been dissolved after lengthy court proceedings.

Lord Spencer, the brother of Diana, Princess of Wales, married at Althorp, Northamptonshire, 18 June, 2011, as his third wife, Mrs Karen Anne Gordon (born 30 November, 1972), former wife of film producer Mark Richard Gordon (born 10 Oct, 1956), and daughter of __________Villeneuve.

Earl Spencer,  is Charles Edward Maurice [Spencer], 9th Earl Spencer (b 20 May 1964), only surviving son of the late 8th Earl Spencer, MVO (1924-92), by his 1st wife, the Hon Frances Ruth Burke Roche (1936-2004), scion of the Barons Fermoy.

The Spencers have one daughter, Lady Charlotte Diana Spencer (born 30 July, 2012).

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Tuesday, February 03, 2026

Lord Mandelson's peerage to be removed by Act of Parliament


We are told that the prime minister is desirous to divest the Lord Mandelson of his life peerage.

The disgraced peer has now left the Labour Party after the latest Epstein Files showed that he used his position in the Cabinet to share insight with the sex offender financier, who died by suicide in 2019.

On 13 October 2008 Mandelson was created Baron Mandelson, of Foy in the County of Herefordshire and of Hartlepool in the County of Durham.

Having already removed him from his role as ambassador to the US after previous links to Epstein emerged, Starmer is now being called on to remove Mandelson's life peerage.

It is over 100 years since a Bill of such a nature has been introduced. The Titles Deprivations Act of 1917 named specific peers who had sided with the enemy in World War 1. A Bill now naming only Mandelson would be an error, in my view.

A more sensible move would be to give His Majesty the right to remove ANY peerage from any disgraced peer, including Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's hereditary dukedom, earldom and barony.

The King, 'fount of all honour' -  is empowered to elevate any of his subjects to the peerage but cannot thereafter take such peerages away. He can strip knighthoods, and orders of chivalry, and so surely the removal of peerages should be added to that list?

Such an act would enable the monarch to strip titles from peers found guilty of serious crimes as in the case of Lord Ahmed, a life peer, jailed for serious sex offences. 

Some organs of the Press are under the false impression that all of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s peerages were removed by the King in October last year. Not so. Andrew was dropped from the Roll of Peers in the House of Lords, but his peerages remain extant. 

In my opinion, the instances where a hereditary peer is stripped of his title - the succession those titles should not be affected, and on the death of the erring peer his successor would inherit, as in the cases where the heir to disclaimed peerage succeed.

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Anne, Baroness Monteagle of Brandon (née Brownlow) 1928-2026

 Anne, Baroness Monteagle of Brandon (née Brownlow), who died 30 January, 2026, aged 97, was the widow of the 6th Baron Monteagle of Brandon.

She was born 21 December, 1928, scion of an Irish landed gentry family, daughter of Colonel Guy James Brownlow (1883-1960), and his wife the former Elinor Hope Georgina Scott, and was descended from the Earls of Meath and the Earls (later Dukes) of Abercorn.

She married 28 May, 1949, Capt Gerald Spring Rice, the 6th Baron Monteagle of Brandon (born 5 July, 1926), of the Irish Guards, son of the 5th Baron Monteagle of Brandon (1887-1946), and his wife the former Emilie Frances de Kosenko (who died in 1981); by whom she had issue, a son, Charles (born 24 Feb, 1953), and three daughters, Elinor (born 23 Apr, 1950), Angela (twin with Angela, who died 11 Dec, 2015), and Fiona (born 10 Apr, 1957).

Her husband, who was part of the guard of honour at the Coronation, 1953, and who took 45 years to make is maiden speech in the House of Lords, died 17 November, 2013, aged 87, and was succeeded by his son in the peerage (cr UK, 1839).

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Monday, February 02, 2026

Robert Vere Spencer Bernard 1944-2026

 Robert Vere Spencer Bernard, who died 6 January, 2026, aged 81, was a scion of the Dukes of Marlborough.

He was born 1 December, 1944, the second son of Dr John Gray Churchill Spencer (1907-1977), and his wife the former Elsie Phyllis Corley (1911-2001). He married 1stly, 1975 (div. 2003), Katherine Margaret Montagu Douglas Scott (1946-2008), daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Claud Everard Walter Montagu Douglas Scott (1915-1994), and his wife the former Margaret Frances Phillips (1917-2000); and married 2ndly, 1 May, 2003, as her second husband, Mrs Georgianna Sarah Preston (nee Tomkins, born 1955), by whom he had a son, Edmund Robert Spencer Bernard (born 25 Sept, 2001). 

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Erica Mackay Fielding (née Geddes) 1947-2026

 Erica Mackay Fielding (née Geddes), who died 23 January, 2026, aged 78, was descended from the father of the 1st Baron Geddes, and was a kinswoman of Margaret Campbell Geddes, who married Prince Ludwig of Hesse & the Rhine.

She was born 2 May, 1947, daughter of Acland Mackay Geddes (1907-1974), and his wife the former Barbara Sanford, and was a granddaughter of Sir Eric Campbell Geddes, GCB, GBE, MP, PC (1875-1937). She was a cousin (once removed) of Margaret Geddes (1913-97), known as "Peg" Hesse, who was a success in the difficult role of a non- royal foreign bride in an ancient German dynasty, despite her lack of children and the outbreak of the Second World War. Her cheerfulness, efficiency and sense of fun helped. Her house at Wolfsgarten, a Hesse "hunting lodge" the size of a small Oxford college, became an oasis of calm in the turmoil of the war and the Allied occupation.

Erica Geddes married firstly in 1972, Simon Peter Agace (born 1942); and married 2ndly, in 1992 (div 2007), Capt Martin George Rudolf Fielding (born 2 May, 1945), of Middleton Tyas, North Yorkshire, son of Maj George Rudolf Hanbury Fielding, DSO (1915-2005), and his wife the former Beatrice Georgina Pope (who died 15 March, 1995). Her husband was a direct descendent of the great writer Henry Fielding, and a scion of the Earls of Denbigh & Desmond.

She leaves issue from her first marriage, Caroline Mackay Agace (born 1973), Piers Edward M Agace (born  1975), and Dominic Charles M Agace (born 1979).

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Sunday, February 01, 2026

The Baron Triesman 1943-2026


 Lord Triesman, a former Labour minister and ex-chairman of the Football Association, died 30 January, 2026, at the age of 82. 

Labour’s leader in the House of Lords, Baroness Smith, led tributes to her former colleague, whom she described as “respected and loved by his colleagues for his courtesy, kindness, wisdom, loyalty and generosity of spirit”. The former prime minister Sir Tony Blair meanwhile said the peer was a “vital part of the New Labour movement”.

David Maxim Triesman, Baron Triesman (born 30 October 1943) was a politician, merchant banker and trade union leader. Triesman was a Labour member of the House of Lords. He previously sat as a Labour peer until resigning the whip in July 2019, then having previously been a minister in the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and Foreign and Commonwealth Office. He sat non-affiliated in the House of Lords until 2020 when he rejoined Labour. Triesman was chairman of the Football Association from 2008 to 2010.

He was raised to the peerage for life on 9 January 2004, and his title was gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Triesman, of Tottenham in the London Borough of Haringey.

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Saturday, January 31, 2026

Jonathan Geoffrey William Agnew 1941-2026

 Jonathan Geoffrey William Agnew, who died 24 January, 2026, aged 84, was a scion of the Agnew baronets (cr 1895), and a grandson of the 1st Baron Jessel.

He was born 30 July, 1941, the elder son of Sir Geoffrey William Gerald Agnew (1908-1986), the art dealer and chairman of Thomas Agnew & Sons, by his wife the former Hon Doreen Maud Jessel (1909-1990), third daughter of the 1st Baron Jessel (1866-1950), and his wife the former Maud Goldsmid (1874-1965).

He married firstly, 21 Oct, 1966 (div 1985), the Hon Agneta Joanna Middleton Campbell (1944-2002), daughter of the life peer the Baron Campbell of Eskan (1912-1994), by his wife Barbara Noel Roffey; and married secondly, 1990, Marie-Claire Dreesmann, daughter of Bernard Dreesmann. He leaves a son, Caspar, and two daughters, Lara and Katherine, from his first union, and a son, George, and a daughter Clarissa, from his second marriage.

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James Harrison Holt 1936-2026

 James Harrison Holt died 20 January, 2026, aged 89.

He was born in 1936, son of Lieutenant-Colonel Vernon Harrison Holt, MC, DL, JP (1888-1966), by his wife the former Elizabeth Kathleen Reckitt (1904-1991), daughter of Sir Philip Bealby Reckitt, 3rd and last Baronet, OBE (1873-1944); and married 1stly,     25 July, 1964 (div. 1984), Dinah Annabel Legard (born 25 June, 1941), scion of the Legard baronets, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Percy Digby Legard (1906-1980), and his wife the former Gertrude Kate Thomson (1907-1969); and married 2ndly, Mary Thomas. He leaves issue from both marriages.

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Wilfred Winston Richard Wynn-Williams (born 2026)

Letitia Mary Wynn-Williams (née Keys, born 1990), wife of  Henry George [Harry] Wynn-Williams [born 1984], gave birth to a son, Wilfred Winston Richard, 12 January, 2026.

Harry Wynn-Williams is a son of Hugo Wynn-Williams born 1955], of Dogmersfield, Hampshire, by his wife the former Mary Vaughan [born 1955], and is a grandson of the late George Wynn-Williams, who married in 1943, Lady Penelope Jowitt [1923-2007], daughter of the 1st [and last] Earl Jowitt, PC [1885-1957], Lord Chancellor in the administration of Clement Attlee, 1945-51.

Letitia is the younger daughter of Mr Richard Keys, of Streat, East Sussex, by his wife the former Helen K. Jackson.

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Mary Vanessa Hoare (died 2026)

 Mary Vanessa Hoare, who died 16 January, 2026, aged 86, was the first and former wife of Sir David Hoare, 9th Baronet.

The former (Mary) Vanessa Cardew, daughter of Peter Gordon Cardew, she married 20 April, 1965 (div 1978), David John Hoare (born 8 Oct, 1935), the second son of Sir Peter William Hoare, 7th Baronet (1898-1973), and his wife the former Laura Ray Esplen (1905-1992), daughter of Sir John Esplen, 1st Baronet (1863-1930). 

Her former husband succeeded his elder brother, Sir Peter Hoare, 8th Bt, in the baronetcy, 26 June, 2004.

Vanessa Hoare leaves a son, Simon Merrick Hoare (born 9 Oct, 1967).

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de la Poer Beresford/Gilday engagement

 The engagement was announced 31 January, 2026,  between Ludovic William de la Poer Beresford (born 4 November, 1998), scion of the Marquesses of Waterford, second son of Valentine Tristram de la Poer Beresford (born 10 October, 1965), of Dorset, and his wife the former Evelyn Hoskin, & Emily Cordelia C. Gilday (born 1999), elder daughter of Ian Robert Joseph Gilday, of London, and his wife the former Siobhan Kristina Clare Simpson-Nairn (born 1964).

Ludovic is a grandson of Lord Patrick de la Poer Beresford (1934-2020), and a great-grandson of the 7th Marquess of Waterford (1901-1934).

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Buxton/Edgedale engagement

 The engagement was announced 31 January, 2026, between Edward Arthur Fowell Buxton (born 25 January, 1996), scion of the Buxton Baronets, eldest son of Nicholas Fowell Buxton (born 17 March, 1966), of Easneye, Hertfordshire, and his wife the former Henrietta Louise Jewson (born 1966), & Alice Lucy R. Edgedale (born 1995), daughter of the late James William Edgedale (born 14 January, 1963), and his wife the former Sarah Louise Jenkinson, of Fernham, Oxfordshire.

Alice Edgedale is a descendant of the 5th Marquess of Northampton:-

the 5th Marquess of Northampton (1851-1913) > Lady Margaret Compton (1886-1970) > Hon Jean Loch (1908-1994) > Mary Ella Newman (b1931) > James Edgedale (1963- ) > Alice Edgedale

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Adrian Reginald Longley, OBE 1925-2025

 Adrian Reginald Longley, OBE, died 16 November, 2025, aged 100.

He was born in 1925, son of Evelyn Longley, of Reigate, co Surrey, by his wife the former Mary Anastasia Thompson; and married 14 December, 1957, Sylvia Margaret Hayter (1926-2011),  second daughter of George Keith Homfray Hayter (1888-1968), and his wife the former Dora Caroline Hanmer (1894-1972), scion of the Hanmer baronets.

He leaves issue, three daughters, Anne, Joanna and Melissa.

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Friday, January 30, 2026

The Baron Wallace of Tankerness (1954-2026)


The Baron Wallace of Tankerness, PC, KC, FRSE, died 29 January, 2026. He was 71.

 James Robert Wallace, Baron Wallace of Tankerness ( born 25 August 1954) was a Scottish politician who served as a Liberal Democrat life peer in the House of Lords from 2007 until his death in 2026. He had previously served as the Deputy First Minister of Scotland from 1999 to 2005, and during that time was twice acting First Minister, in 2000, in the aftermath of Donald Dewar's death and in 2001, following Henry McLeish's resignation. Wallace was Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats from 1992 to 2005 and Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords from 2013 to 2016. He served as a Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament (MP) for Orkney and Shetland from 1983 to 2001 and a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Orkney from 1999 to 2007. Wallace was also Advocate General for Scotland from 2010 to 2015. He was the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland from 1 May 2021 to 23 May 2022.

On 13 September 2007, it was announced that he was to be appointed to the House of Lords. He was subsequently created a life peer on 17 October 2007 taking the title Baron Wallace of Tankerness, of Tankerness in Orkney.

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Jean Constance Toynbee 1920-2026

 Jean Constance Toynbee (nee Asquith), who died 14 January, 2026, aged 105, was a GP in Oxford and rural North Yorkshire, the wife of the artist Lawrence Toynbee, a granddaughter of the prime minister HH Asquith, 1st Earl of Oxford & Asquith – and a last exemplar of upper-class upbringing in the interwar era...

She was born 6 November, 1920, second of the four daughters of Brigadier General the Hon Arthur Melland Asquith (1883-1939), and his wife the former Hon Betty Constance Manners (1889-1962), daughter of the 3rd Baron Manners (1852-1927).

She married 20 April, 1945, Lawrence Toynbee (1922-2002), the artist, son of Prof Arnold Joseph Toynbee, CH, FBA (1889-1975), the historian, and his wife the former Rosalind Murray (1890-1967), a granddaughter of the 9th Earl of Carlisle (1843-1911), by whom she had issue, six daughters, Rosalind, Celia, Clare, Rachel, Sarah and Frances.

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Anthony George Leschallas 1933-2026

Anthony George Leschallas, who died 20 January, 2026, aged 92, was a descendant of the Earls of Romney.

He was born in 1933, the elder son of George Ronald Pigé Leschallas (1909-1991), and his wife the former Vere Frances Bulock-Marsham (1913-2006); and married in 1954, Marie-Louise Yvonne Renner (who died 5 March, 2018), daughter of Martin Julia Renner and his wife Sophie Charlotte Kleinwort (1888-1974), scion of the eponymous merchant banking dynasty, and had issue, two sons, Anthony (1955-2019),  and William (born 1963), and two daughters, Marie-Louise (born 1957), and Joanna (born 1960).

Anthony's younger brother, James (born 1943), married Rosemary Elizabeth Elphinstone (b 1947), a cousin of King via their Strathmore descent.

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Thursday, January 29, 2026

The 4th Marquess of Zetland, DL 1937-2026

 The 4th Marquess of Zetland, a North Yorkshire landowner, died 24 January, 2026, aged 88.

The Marquess was seated at Aske, near Richmond, North Yorkshire. A peer of the Turf, he was a founding director of the British Horseracing Board 1993-97, and member of the Jockey Club (Steward 1992-94); and appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of North Yorkshire in 1997. 

The Dundas family estates were acquired in the 18th century by Sir Lawrence Dundas, scion of a long-established Scots family, who became the chief merchant-adventurer of his day. Having made a fortune supplying bread and forage to allied troops in Germany during the Seven Years’ War, he bought swathes of land in Sligo, Roscommon, Fife, Stirlingshire, Clackmannanshire, Orkney, Shetland, Hertfordshire and Yorkshire, where Aske Hall, near Richmond, remains the family seat. He was also a great patron of the arts, and commissioned such treasures as the Dundas Suite of ornate furniture, designed by Robert Adam and made by Thomas Chippendale, two sofas and two chairs of which were sold at Christie’s in 1997 for more than £3 million. Dubbed “the Nabob of the North”, Dundas became among the country’s largest landowners, but despite his best endeavours he never obtained a peerage – he was a mere baronet by the time he died in 1781. His son, though, was made Baron Dundas in 1794, his grandson rose to Earl of Zetland (an ancient variant of Shetland), and the 3rd earl became a marquess in 1892.

Lawrence Mark Dundas was born 28 December, 1937, the eldest of the three sons of the 3rd Marquess of Zetland (1908-1989), and his wife the former (Katherine Mary) Penelope Pike (1914-2003), scion of that landed gentry family, the second daughter of Col Ebenezer John Lecky Pike CBE MC (1884-1965), of Little Glebe, Fontwell, co. Sussex, by his wife Olive Constance Snell (1888-1962), only daughter of Edward Snell, of Monk Okehampton, co. Devon.

He was educated at Harrow then Oxford University, and served in the Grenadier Guards (2nd Lieutenant).

Lawrence Dundas was styled Earl of Ronaldshay from 1961 (when his father succeeded to the family honours), until succeeding as 4th Marquess, 5 October, 1989.

He was 4th Marquess of Zetland (United Kingdom, let. pat. 22 Aug 1892), 6th Earl of Zetland (United Kingdom, let. pat. 2 Jul 1838), 4th Earl of Ronaldshay (United Kingdom, let. pat. 22 Aug 1892), 7th Baron Dundas, of Aske in the County of York, Great Britain, let. pat. 13 Aug 1794), and 8th Baronet, styled "of Kerse" (Great Britain, let. pat. 16 Nov 1762).

The 1st Marquess was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in Queen Victoria's reign and a prominent freemason, the 2nd Marquess was sometime Secretary of State for India, and the 3rd Marquess was chairman of the racecourses at Catterick and Redcar, and was Provincial Grand Master, North and East Ridings of Yorkshire, of the Society of Freemasons 1956-89.

His siblings include Lord David Dundas (born 2 June, 1945), the pop singer and actor, best known for his chart success in the pop genre during the 1970s, including his biggest hit "Jeans On", as well as his later career in film and television scores, and Lord Bruce Dundas (born 6 Jan, 1951), and Lady Serena Kettlewell (1940-2012).

He married 4 April, 1964, Susan Rose Chamberlin (born circa Apr, 1940), 2nd daughter of Guy Ronald Chamberlin (1911-1991), of Shefford House, Great Shefford, Newbury, co. Berkshire, by his wife the former Geraldine Mary Payne-Cook (1913-1963). The marriage took place a few months after Susan and her mother had been swept off the rocks by a wave and her mother drowned at Polzeath, Cornwall.

The Zetlands had issue, two sons, Robin, styled Earl of Ronaldshay (born 5 March, 1965), and Lord James Dundas (born 2 May, 1967), and two daughters, Lady Henrietta (born 9 Feb, 1970), and Lady Victoria (born 2 Jan, 1973).

His elder son succeeds as 5th Marquess of Zetland. He is married with four daughters, and his heir presumptive is his younger brother, Lord James Dundas.

Those mighty tomes Burke's Peerage and Debrett's incorrectly state that the father of the Marchioness of Zetland was Guy Richard Chamberlin, when in fact his father was Guy RONALD, as recorded at the General Register Office.

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Hon Fiona Campbell 1932-2026

 The Hon Fiona Campbell, who died 6 January, 2026, aged 93, was a scion of the Barons Stratheden.

She was born in 1932, the third daughter of Brigadier the 4th Baron Stratheden, CBE (1899-1981), and his first wife the former Jean Helen St Clair Anstruther-Gray, CBE (1901-1956), Sscion of the Anstruther baronets, of Balcaskie. She was unmarried.

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Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Josephine Cicely Alice Willoughby 1931-2026

 Josephine Cicely Alice Willoughby died 14 January, 2026. She was 94.

She was a scion of the Barons Middleton and descended from the 8th Duke of Somerset, born 21 June, 1931, the elder daughter of Commander Ronald George Edward Willoughby, RN (1884-1971), and his wife the former Constance Louisa Sherbrooke (1894-1977), scion of that landed gentry family. She was unmarried.

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Son for Viscount and Viscountess Chelsea

 Davina Rose Cadogan, styled Viscountess Chelsea (née Motion, born 11 July, 1996), wife of George Edward Charles Diether Cadogan, styled Viscount Chelsea [born 24 September, 1995], scion of the Earls Cadogan, gave birth to a son, the Hon Henry George Edward Cadogan, 13 January, 2026.

Viscount Chelsea is the son and heir of the 9th Earl Cadogan [born 10 May, 1966], of London, and Katharina Johanna Ingeborg, Countess Cadogan [nee Hülsemann].

Viscountess Chelsea is the social editor of Tatler, the only daughter of Mr Andrew Barrie Motion [born circa 1961], of Sandwich, Kent, and his wife the former Celestine Maria del Pilar Atkins.

Chelsea is heir to the vast Cadogan estates in London. 

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The 2nd Baron Clitheroe, DL 1929-2026

 The 2nd Baron Clitheroe died 19 January, 2026. He was 96.

Lord Clitheroe, of Downham Hall, Clitheroe, Lancashire, was a businessman who served as Deputy Chief Executive of the Rio Tinto Group, and as Chairman of RTZ Chemicals, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto. He also served as Chairman of the Yorkshire Bank from 1990 to 1999. He was appointed to be a Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire in 1986. He became a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Skinners in 1955. He also served as Vice-Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire from 1995 to 1999.

Ralph John Assheton was born 3 November, 1929, the elder son of the then Ralph Assheton, MP, PC (born 24 February, 1901), by his wife the Hon Sylvia Benita Frances Hotham (1903-1991), daughter of the 6th Baron Hotham (1863-1923).

His father was MP for Rushcliffe from 1934 to 1945, for the City of London from 1945 to 1950, and for Blackburn West from 1950 to 1955. In the wartime government under Winston Churchill, he was Minister of Supply in 1942, and Financial Secretary to the Treasury from 1942 to 1944. He was sworn of the Privy Council in the 1944 New Year Honours, and served as Chairman of the Conservative Party from 1944 to 1946. He was raised to the peerage as Baron Clitheroe, in 1955. He was also the 2nd Baronet.

He succeeded his father, 18 September, 1984, as 2nd Baron Clitheroe and as 3rd Baronet.

He married 2 May, 1961, Juliet Hanbury (1936-2025), daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Christopher Lionel Hanbury, MBE, JP, TD (1905-1997), and his wife the former Lettice Mary Charrington (1906-1980), by whom he had issue, two sons Ralph and John and a daughter, Elizabeth. The elder son, the Hon Ralph Christopher Assheton (born 19 March, 1962), succeeds to the peerage and baronetcy.

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George Nathaniel Mathias (born 2026)

 Henrietta Ghislaine Mathias (nee de Pelet), wife of Charles M.J. Mathias, gave birth to a son, George Nathaniel, in New York, 5 January, 2026, a brother for Eleanor.

Charles is the elder son of Mr & Mrs Carlo Mathias, of Aalst, Belgium.

Henrietta [born 1982], is a daughter of Comte Michael de Pelet, of Purse Caundle, Dorset, by his wife the former Charlotte Anne Kennard [born 4 Nov, 1956].

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Tuesday, January 27, 2026

The Baron Blackwater

The life peerage recently bestowed upon Simon James Heffer, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Blackwater, of Great and Little Leighs on the County of Essex, and will be introduced into the House of peers on 29 January, 2026.

Lord Blackwater (born 18 July 1960) is an English historian, journalist, author, and political commentator.  He has published several biographies and a series of books on the social history of Great Britain from the mid-nineteenth century until the end of the First World War. He was appointed professorial research fellow at the University of Buckingham in 2017. He took on the enormous task of editing and publishing the journals of Sir Henry 'Chips' Channon.

Blackwater has worked as a columnist for the Daily Mail and since 2015 has had a weekly column in The Sunday Telegraph. As a political commentator, Heffer takes a socially conservative position.

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Sir (William) Roland Cedric Jackson, 9th Baronet 1954-2026

Sir (William) Roland Cedric Jackson, 9th Baronet, died suddenly, 10 January, 2026, while hill climbing in Cumbria, the day after his 72nd birthday. 

He was born 9 January, 1954, son of Sir William Thomas Jackson, 8th Baronet (1927-2004), and his wife the former Gillian Malise Stobart (1929-2009), scion of that landed gentry family; and succeeded to the baronetcy [cr UK, 1969], upon his father's death, 2004; and married in 1977, Dr Nicola Mary Davis, daughter of Professor Peter Reginald Davis, of Polvean, St Mawes, Cornwall, by whom he had three sons, Adam (b 1982), James Anthony Foljambe Jackson (b 11 March, 1984) and Oliver Thomas Peter Jackson (b 1990). The eldest son, Adam William Roland (born at Newmarket, 19 May, 1982), succeeds as 10th Baronet.

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Major the Hon Edward Renfric Arundell 1933-2026

 Maj the Hon Edward Renfric (Ted) Arundell, late the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, who died 13 January, 2026, aged 92, was a scion of the Barons Talbot of Malahide.

He was born 2 November, 1933, second son of Reginald John Arthur Arundell (1900-1953), and his wife the former Winifred Nellie Castle (1895-1954). 

His elder brother Reginald (1931-2016), in 1987 succeeded as 10th Baron Talbot of Malahide, and four years later, in 1991, Edward was raised to the rank of the younger son of a Baron.

He married 27 September, 1961, Margaret Ann Honoria Macnab (born 22 May, 1940), daughter of Brigadier John Francis Macnab of Barravorich, CBE, DSO (1906-1980), and his wife (Dorothy) Margaret Treadwell (1903-88), by whom he had issue, three daughters, Lucinda, Camilla and Nicola.

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Viscount Kingsborough engaged to Amy Gregg

The engagement was announced 27 January, 2026, between Charles Avery Edward King-Tenison, syled Viscount Kingsborough (born 18 November, 2000), the only son and heir of the 12th Earl of Kingston (born 20 March, 1969), by his first 1st wife, Ruth Margaret, Countess of Kingston (nee Buckner, born 1967); and Amy Elizabeth J. Gregg (born circa 1993), daughter of Paul Richard Gregg (born Feb 1966), of Cricklade, Wiltshire, and his wife the former Jill Susan Hunt (born 1961).

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Edward John Francis Morant 1941-2026

Edward John Francis Morant, who died 22 January, 2026, aged 84, was head of that landed gentry family and a great-grandson of the 9th Earl of Harrington.

He was born in 1941, son of John Morant (1907-1997), and his 1st wife the former Margaret Elizabeth Brunner (1907-1964), and was a grandson of Edward John Eden Morant (1868-1910), of Brockhurst Park, Hampshire, and his wife Lady Kathleen Florence Mary Stanhope (1884-1971), daughter of the 9th Earl of Harrington (1859-1928).

He married in 1965, Algie Linda Davies (born 1943), daughter of Angus Stanley Davies (1911-1976), of Chelsea, by his wife the former Viola Phoebe Stimson (1913-2012), by whom he had issue, a son, John Harry Eden Morant (1967-2003), and a daughter, Laura (born 1970).

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Leith/Maudslay engagement

The engagement was announced 27 January, 2926, between Oliver Christophe Leith (born 1991), son of Marcus Leith, of Mattishall, Norfolk, and his wife nee ___ Oliver; and Fenella Alice Maudslay (born 23 March, 1992), scion of that landed gentry family, youngest daughter of John Rennie Maudslay (born 1953), of Forneth, Perthshire, and his wife the former Alexandra Lothian (born 1958).

Fenella is a granddaughter of Maj Sir James Rennie Maudslay, GCVO, KCB, MBE (1915-88), Keeper of the Privy Purse to the Royal Household and an Equerry to HM Queen Elizabeth II.

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Cator/Horswell engagement

Christian Cator.

 The engagement was announced 27 January, 2026, between Christian David Cator (born Oct 1996), scion of that landed gentry family, son of Albemarle John Cator (born 23 August, 1953), of Woodbastwick Hall, Norfolk, and Mrs Victoria Katharine Cator (nee Pank, born July, 1954), of London & Honor Daisy Horswell (born 16 April, 1997), daughter of Edward Francis Horswell (born 9 May, 1956), the polo player, of Chelsea, London, and his wife the former Nona Maria Gallwey (born 6 June, 1969), daughter of (William) Dayrell Gallwey (born 6 Feb, 1931), of Tramore, Co Waterford, to be found in Burke's Irish Family Records.

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Monday, January 26, 2026

Clare Georgina, Countess of Iveagh 1974-2025

Clare Iveagh.
 Clare Georgina, Countess of Iveagh, who died 23 December, 2025, aged 51, was the former wife of the Guinness heir, the 4th Earl of Iveagh.

She was born Clare Georgina Hazell, at Reading, Berkshire, 5 February, 1974, the eldest of the three daughters of Derek Ralph Hazell (1946-2022), and his wife the former Andrea Frances Whelan (born 1946); and married 27 October, 2001 (divorced 2021), Arthur Edward Rory Guinness, 4th Earl of Iveagh (born 10 Aug 1969), son of the late 3rd Earl of Iveagh (1937-1992), and his wife the former Miranda Daphne Jane Smiley (1940-2010), scion of the Smiley baronets, by whom she had issue, two sons, Arthur Guinness, styled Viscount Elveden (born 6 January, 2003), and the Hon Rupert Guinness (born July, 2005).

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The Baron Flight 1948-2026

 Lord Flight, life peer, died 24 January, 2026. He was 77.

Howard Emerson Flight was born 16 June, 1948. He was a Conservative politician & member of the House of Lords. Flight was the Conservative MP for Arundel and South Downs from 1997 to 2005. He held several Shadow posts: Shadow Economic Secretary to the Treasury from 1999 to 2001, Shadow Paymaster General from 2001 to 2002, and Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury from 2002 to 2004.

He was raised to the peerage for life in 2011, and took the title Baron Flight, of Worcester in the County of Worcestershire.

He married in 1973, Christabel Diana Beatrice Norbury (born 1946), daughter of Christopher Paget Norbury (1908-1975), and his wife the former Lisa Juliane Emilie Gnacinski (1910-1985), 

Lady Flight is a descendant of the Wake baronets.

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MacDermot/Begg engagement

The engagement was announced 26 January, 2025, between Thomas Arthur MacDermot (born 1998), son of Dominic Charles MacDermot (born 27 September, 1955), of São Paulo, Brazil, scion of that landed gentry family, and his wife the former Renata Rehder, daughter of Reuben A. Rehder, of São Paulo, Brazil, and Clementine Agar Begg (born 1 February, 1998), second daughter of Robin Mark Begg (born October, 1959), of Charlton Musgrove, Somerset and his wife the former Teleri Jane Bligh (born Dec 1962).

The head of the MacDermot family is known as the _Prince of Coolavin_ and was a title first applied by popular usage to Charles MacDermot (1707–1758), then head of the MacDermot family of Moylurg. Coolavin is a barony in south County Sligo in Ireland. Up to the late 16th century the head of the family were still Kings of Moylurg, but had lost their lands due to confiscation. The adoption of the term indicated that the family considered themselves "princes", and also considered as such by their neighbours. The title continued to be used by the head of the family into the 21st century.

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Packe-Drury-Lowe/De St Pierre Bunbury engagement

 The engagement was announced 26 January, 2026, between Major George Thomas Naylor Packe-Drury-Lowe (born 10 September, 1994), scion of that landed gentry family, son of Edward Packe-Drury-Lowe (born 1965), of Prestwold Hall, Leicestershire, and his former wife, Samantha Burgess (nee Naylor), of East Wittering, and Madeleine de St Pierre Bunbury (born 1995), daughter of Major Michael C. de St Pierre Bunbury, of Mustique, and his wife the former Charlotte (Lotty) M. Cardozo.

George married firstly, at Dijon, France, 7 January, 2017, Judith Martory, by whom he has a daughter, Ursula.

Charlotte's aunt, Elizabeth Cardozo, is a former wife of the Marquess of Northampton's heir, Earl Compton. Her grandmother is Eleanor Caroline Cardozo (nee Brotherton-Ratcliffe, born 1942), scion of that landed gentry family.

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Saturday, January 24, 2026

Powell/Spencer engagement

The engagement was announced 24 January, 2025, between Myles Edward S. Powell (born 1997), the eldest son of Dominic Paul St J. Powell (born 1966), of Clapham, London and his wife the former Katherine M.A. Tidbury (born 1963), & India Jane Spencer (born 4 December, 1998), daughter of Richard Jeremy Spencer (born 31 January, 1958), of Longworth Oxfordshire, and his wife the former Catherine Alexandra Herbert (born 12 October, 1963), daughter of Richard Weston Herbert (1922-2009), and his first wife Olivia Joan Wedderburn (born 2 June, 1934), scion of the Wedderburn baronets of Blackness.

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Martin Robert Grant Peterkin 1942-2026

 Martin Robert Grant Peterkin died 20 January, 2026, aged 83.

He was born in 1942, a son of Hugh Grant Peterkin (1911-1980), and his wife the former Rosemary Margaret Uprichard (b. 1915, died 4 Apr, 2009); and was a grandson of Colonel Montagu James Grant Peterkin, OBE (1871-1954), of Grange Hall, Forres, Morayshire, by his wife Elizabeth Margaret Buller-Fullerton-Elphinstone (1874-1945), scion of the Lords Elphinstone.

He married in 1973, Barbara L. (Bee) Jensen, by whom he had three sons, Christopher (born 1977), Charles (born 1979), & Michael (born 1983).

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Jill Sara Maxwell-Hyslop (née Armstrong) 1937-2026

 Jill Sara Maxwell-Hyslop (née Armstrong), died 12 January, 2026, aged 88.

She was born Jill Sara Armstrong, 29 June, 1937, scion of the Armstrong baronets, daughter of John Andrew Armstrong (1892-1974), and his wife the former Pauline Williams; and married 21 March, 1958, Capt Alexander Bayly Maxwell-Hyslop (born 1929), scion of the Hyslop landed gentry family, elder son of Capt Alexander Henry Maxwell-Hyslop (1895-1978), and his wife the former Cecilia Joan Bayly (1902-54), scion of that landed family. Her husband died 17 February, 2016, aged 86.

She leaves issue, two daughters, Lucinda (born 2 March, 1959), and Zara (born 3 Sept, 1962_.

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Sir Peter Michael Ohlson, 4th Baronet 1939-2026

 Sir Peter Ohlson, 4th & last Baronet died 17 January, 2026, aged 86.

Peter Michael Ohlson was born 18 May, 1939, the second son of Sir Eric Olof Ohlson, 2nd Baronet (1911-1983), and his wife the former Marjorie Joan Roosmale-Cocq (c1912-2008); and was a grandson of Sir Erik Ohlson, 1st Baronet (1873-1934), the shipping magnate.

He succeeded to the baronetcy (cr 1920), on the death of his elder brother, Sir Brian, the 3rd Baronet, on 19 March, 2017.

He married 18 October, 1968, Sarah Brodie (born 1946), daughter of Major-General Thomas Brodie, CB CBE DSO (1903-1993) and his wife the former Jane Margaret Chapman-Walker (1909-1992), and had two daughters, Gemma (born 8 Oct, 1971), and Emily (born 1974)..

The baronetcy now becomes extinct

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Delphine Penelope Angus (born 2025)

Sarah Jane Angus [née Frere-Cook, born 1986], wife of Alexander Angus, gave birth to a daughter, Delphine Penelope, 3 November, 2025, a sister for Isla Olivia Rosemary, born 16 July, 2018, for Artie Aubrey, 1 April, 2021, and Tiggy Jane Joanna, born 25 November, 2022.

Sarah Angus is a descendant of the Cracroft-Amcotts landed gentry family, daughter of Simon Aubrey Cracroft Fere-Cook [born 1955], and his wife the former Jennifer Jane Greenwood, and a granddaughter of Lieutenant-Col Gervis Hugh Frere Frere-Cook [1928-74], and his wife Rosemary Grace Cracroft-Amcotts [1928-2014].

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Friday, January 23, 2026

Riall/Innes Ker engagement

Lady Bella.

The engagement was announced 23 January, 2026, between Phineas Patrick (Finn) Riall (born 28 October, 1993), late the Irish Guards, scion of that Irish landed gentry family of Old Conna Hill, eldest son of Capt. Thomas Richard Phineas Riall (born 1960), of Kington Magna, Dorset, and his wife the former Mary Elizabeth Benyon (born 1965), scion of that landed gentry family, and the Lady Isabella Mary (Bella) Innes-Ker (born 7 September, 1994), the equestrian, daughter of the late 10th Duke of Roxburghe (1954-2019), and of the Dowager Duchess of Roxburghe (nee Virginia Mary Wynn-Williams), of Eastbury, Berkshire.

Finn's sister, Roseanne Eleanor Riall, announced her engagement in 2020, to Jack Bartholomew, whose mother, the former Carolyn Pride, was a friend and flatmate of the then Lady Diana Spencer at the time of her engagement to the Prince of Wales in 1981.

Finn's mother was High Sheriff of Berkshire in 2020.

Finn Riall is a grandson maternally of the late Sir William Benyon, MP (1930-2014), of Englefield House, Berkshire, and is a nephew of the Lord Benyon, GCVO, PC (born 1960), Lord Chamberlain to the Royal Household, and is a great-great-great-grandson of the Prime Minister the 3rd Marquess of Salisbury.

Finn is a grandson paternally of Major Patrick Dudley Erskine Riall (1921-2000), of Kilmacanogue, Leinster, and his wife the former Jane Priscilla Wells (1932-2004), descended from the Barons (later Earls) of Harrowby.

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Anthony John Fletcher 1941-2026

Prof. Anthony John Fletcher died 3 January, 2026, aged 84.

He was born 24 April, 1941, son of Clarence John Molyneux Fletcher (1910-1986), and his wife the former Isabel Clare Chevenix Trench (1915-2010), scion of the Barons Ashtown; and married firstly, 29 July, 1967, Tresna Dawn Russell; married 2ndly, 6 September, 2006, Brenda Lockhart-Smith

He leaves issue from his first marriage, two sons, Crispin (born 6 March, 1969), and Dickon (born 13 Oct, 1972).

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Baroness Martin of Brockley

The life peerage recently bestowed upon Katherine Lucy Martin has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baroness Martin of Brockley, of Ladywell in the London Borough of Lewisham, 20 January, 2026.

Baroness Martin is to take her seat in the Lords on 27 January, 2026.

The Baroness was chief of staff to Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves. She was previously director of public affairs for Citizens Advice. 

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Thursday, January 22, 2026

Baron Walker of Broxton, OBE

 The King has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 20 January 2026 to confer the dignity of a Barony of the United Kingdom for life upon:-

Lord Walker of Broxton.
Richard Malcolm Walker OBE, as Baron Walker of Broxton, of Broxton in the County of Cheshire. 

Lord Walker of Broxton (born 5 August 1980) is a businessman who is the executive chairman of the privately held British Iceland supermarket chain of predominately frozen food retailers. He is the son of the company's founder Malcolm Walker and qualified as a Chartered Surveyor, prior to joining Iceland.

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Baron Isaac

Lord Isaac.
The life peerage recently awarded to David Isaac, CBE, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Isaac, of Abergavenny in the County of Monmouthshire, 19 January, 2026.

 Lord Isaac is a solicitor and Provost of Worcester College, Oxford, where he took office in July 2021. He has chaired the Court of Governors of University of the Arts London since 2018, and the Henry Moore Foundation from 2024. He is also a trustee of Cumberland Lodge.

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Baron Barber of Chittlehampton

The life peerage recently conferred upon Sir Michael Bayldon Barber, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Barber of Chittlehampton, of Chittlehampton in the County of Devon, and he is to be introduced in to the House of Lords, 26 January, 2026.

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Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Baroness Bi

Baroness Bi.
From the London Gazette: The King has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 19 January 2026 to confer the dignity of a Barony of the United Kingdom for life upon:-

Farmida Bi, CBE, in the name, style and title of Baroness Bi, of Bermondsey in the London Borough of Southwark.

The shortest peerage title in the history of the Peerage. Many peerage names have three and four letters, but two! It's a first for Baroness Bi.

The title is pronounced to sound like 'Bee' and not 'By'.

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Princess Désirée of Sweden, Baroness Silfverschiöld 1938-2026

 Princess Désirée of Sweden, Baroness Silfverschiöld, sister of King Carl Gustav, died 21 January, 2026. She was 87.

Princess Desiree Elizabeth Sibylla was born in Stockholm, 2 June, 1938, third daughter of Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Vasterbotten (1906-1947) and Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1908-1972) who were both descended from sons of Queen Victoria (1819-1901) and Prince Albert (1819-1861).

Princess Desiree's paternal grandparents were King Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden (1882-1973) and Princess Margaret Victoria Charlotte Augusta Norah of Connaught and Strathearn (1882-1920).  Princess Margaret's father,  Field Marshal HRH The Prince Arthur, 1st Duke of Connaught and Strathearn (1850-1942), was Queen Victoria's third son.

Princess Desiree's maternal grandfather was Prince Charles Edward, 2nd Duke of Albany.  His father, Prince Leopold George Duncan Albert, 1st Duke of Albany (1853-1884), was the youngest son of Queen Victoria.

She was a third cousin once removed of HM King Charles III.

Princess Désirée survived her third cousin, Princess Irene of Greece & Denmark, by six days.

Princess Désirée married 5 June, 1964, Niels-August Otto Carl Nicolas Silfverschiöld, Baron Silfverschiöld (1934-2017), son of Baron Carl-Otto Silfverschiöld (1899–1955) and Elsa Madeleine Bennich (1906–1994). His paternal grandfather, Baron Otto Silfverschiöld (1871–1951), was a member of the Riksdag and his paternal grandmother, Ingeborg von Horn (1873–1953), was the sister of novelist Brita von Horn and aunt of Generalmajor Carl von Horn.

Princess Désirée leaves issue, Baron Carl Otto Edmund Silfverschiöld (born 22 March 1965), Baroness Christina-Louise Ewa Madelaine Silfverschiöld (born 29 September 1966), and Baroness Hélène Ingeborg Sibylla Silfverschiöld (born 20 September 1968)

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Baroness Nargund

The King has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 21 January 2026 to confer the dignity of a Barony of the United Kingdom for life upon Geeta Nargund, by the name, style and title of Baroness Nargund, of Wimbledon in the London Borough of Merton and Tooting in the London Borough of Wandsworth. The baroness is to take her seat in the upper house, 27 January, 2026.

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Hon Mrs Colin Dalrymple (died 2026)

 The Hon Mrs Colin Dalrymple, OBE, died 8 January, 2026. She was 91.

She was the former Fiona Jane Edwards, daughter of Admiral Sir Ralph Alan Bevan Edwards, KCB, CBE (1901-63), sometime Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet, by his wife the former Joan Le Fowne Hurt; and married 12 March, 1956, as his second wife, Major the Hon Colin James Dalrymple (1920-2017), fourth son of the 12th Earl of Stair, KT, DSO, DL (1879-1961), and his wife the former Violet Evelyn Harford (died 22 Feb, 1968), by whom she had issue, a son, Andrew (born 10 Oct, 1959), and two daughters, Serena (b 20 Oct, 1957), and Rose (b 6 May, 1962).

Her husband died 12 January, 2017, aged 96.

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Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Baroness Davies of Devonport


The life peerage recently awarded to Sharron Elizabeth Davies, MBE, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baroness Davies of Devonport, of Bradford-on-Avon in the County of Wiltshire. She took her seat in the House of Lords, 20 January, 2026.

Baroness Davies (born 1 November 1962) is a former swimmer who represented Great Britain in the Olympics and European championships and competed for England in the Commonwealth Games. She won a silver medal in the 400 m individual medley in the 1980 Olympics. In all Davies has attended 12 consecutive Olympics, including working for BBC Sport.

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The Baron Babudu


The life peerage recently conferred upon Peter Bonyiah Babudu, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Babudu, of Peckham in the London Borough of Southwark. 

Lord Babudu is taking his seat in the House of Lords, 29 January, 2026.

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Janet, Lady Devitt 1925-2026

 Janet, Lady Devitt (née Ellis), died 2 January, 2026, aged 100.

She was born Janet Lilian Ellis, 10 October, 1925, a daughter of Colonel Hugh Sidney Ellis, CBE, MC (1889-1965), and his wife the former Enid Nicholl (1895-1970); and married 12 December, 1953, as his third wife, Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Thomas Gordon Devitt, 2nd Baronet (1902-1995), son of Arthur Devitt (1867-1921), and grandson of Sir Thomas Lane Devitt, 1st Baronet (1839-1923).

Lady Devitt leaves a daughter, Angela Susan (born 18 Oct, 1954), and a son Sir James Hugh Thomas Devitt, 3rd Baronet (born 18 Sept, 1956).

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Jervis Joscelyn Percy 1928-2026

 Jervis Joscelyn Percy, died in Cork, 7 January, 2026, aged 97.

Jervis Percy.
He was born at Alexandria, Egypt, 21 July, 1928, a son of Colonel Joscelyn Edward Seymour Percy, DSO, MC (1897-1943), of the Durham Light Infantry, and of his wife Kathleen Ross (later Lady Bradford wife of Sir Thomas Bradford, Kt); and married 11 May, 1957 (div. 1979), Julia Diana Renwick (born 16 Aug, 1935), daughter of Squadron Leader Sir Eustace Deuchar Renwick, 3rd Baronet (1902-1973), and his wife the former Diana Mary Cruddas (who died 11 Sept, 2005, aged 92); by whom he had issue, three daughters, Corinna (born 1964), Jane (born 1966), and Charlotte (born 1967).

 While stationed abroad, Jervis took up modern pentathlon and excelled particularly in the horse riding and running portions of the competition. He was selected to represent Great Britain in this event at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, where he placed 37th individually and 10th with the team, alongside Leon Lumsdaine and John Hewitt. After serving during the Korean War, he left the army in 1955 and worked in various industrial positions until his 1988 retirement, after which he moved to Ireland.

I can find no connection here to the Percy Dukes of Northumberland even though names of some of this  have similarities and associations with those in the ducal family. Jervis's grandfather was Joscelyn Beverley Percy (1856-1924), and the Earldom of Beverley is one of the Duke of Northumberland's subsidiary titles.

Edward Hore G. Percy (b 1761) > Edward Lorenzo Percy, the Irish artist (1797-1863) > Joscelyn Beverley Percy (1856-1924) > Joscelyn Edward Seymour Percy (1897-1943) > Jervis Joscelyn Percy (c1929-2026)

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Monday, January 19, 2026

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and the loss of his dukedom


In November 2025 the King formally stripped his younger brother of his royal styles and titles.

The announcement stated that "The King has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 3 November, 2025, to declare that Andrew Mountbatten Windsor shall no longer be entitled to enjoy the style, title or attribute of 'Royal Highness' and the titular dignity of 'Prince'.

A straightforward sweep of the monarch's pen reduced Andrew to a commoner, but was the King's disgraced brother similarly divested of his Dukedom, Earldom and Barony?  The removal of a peerage requires an Act of Parliament, and cannot be achieved by royal authority alone.

We were told that Andrew Mountbatten Windsor had been formally removed from the official roll of the peerage in the House of Lords, marking the definitive stripping of his royal titles. Buckingham Palace confirmed that Andrew's dukedom was struck from the roll.

The Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, is responsible for maintaining the peerage roll and he received the order from the King to formalise the removal of the Duke from the Roll of the Peerage. This however, did not mean that Andrew's peerage has been stripped away and consigned to history.

Many peers, including other dukes, are not on the Roll, but all the same are legally peers of the realm.

The Roll of the Peerage is an officially compiled and maintained list, intended to contain the names of all living peers. Peers are enrolled in it in the following circumstances:

Hereditary Peers who have proved succession in accordance with the terms of the 2004 Royal Warrant.

Hereditary Peers who up to 1999 received a Writ of Summons.

Hereditary Peers who from 1999 have proved their succession in order to be eligible either for election to a vacant seat amongst the remaining 92 hereditary peers in a House of Lords 'by-election', or to vote in such a by-election.

The Roll comprises all those Peers who have proved succession to an English, Scottish, Irish, Great Britain or United Kingdom Peerage. In some cases the Peer's name appears against his junior title; it may then be cross-referenced elsewhere in the Roll if the Peer is customarily styled in a different or senior title. This arises for example where succession has been proved in a junior title for the purposes of sitting in the House of Lords.

Each entry on the Roll is headed with the style of the dignity (the nomen dignitatis), e.g. 'Abercorn'; with the body of the entry showing:

whether the dignity is hereditary or for life.

the class or rank of dignity, i.e. duke/duchess, marquess/marchioness, earl/countess, viscount/viscountess or baron/baroness, (lord/lady in the case of some Scottish titles).

the Peerage within which dignity was created, i.e. the Peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain or the United Kingdom.

the full style of the current holder of the dignity, including forenames, and indicating where applicable any senior title by which he or she is customarily known.

the surname of the present holder of the dignity.

Some Peers not currently on the roll include:-

Acton B; Airlie E; Allenby V; Allendale V; Amherst of Hackney B; Argyll D; Ashbrook V; Ashtown B; Atholl D; Auckland B; Baden-Powell B; Bagot B; Baldwin of Bewdley E; Bangor V; Basing B; Bath M; Beatty E; Berners B; Bessborough E; Blyth B; Bolingbroke and St John V; Bradbury B; Brassey of Apethorpe; Brownlow B; Buchan E; Buckmaster V; Burden B; Burton B; Bute M; Caldecote V; Carnock B; Carrick E; Castle Stewart E; Castlemaine B; Cavan E; Charlemont V; Chelmsford V; Chesham B; Churchill B; Churston B; Clanmorris B; Coleraine B; Congleton B; Conyngham M; Cornwallis B; Coventry E; Craven E; Croft B; Cullen of Ashbourne B; Dalhousie E; Darwen B; Davidson V; Decies B; Delamere B; Denham B; Denman B, De Ros B; De Villiers B; Dickinson B; Dilhorne V; Donerall V; Downe V; Ducie E; Dufferin & Clandeboye B; Dunrossil V; Dunsany B; Egremont B; Elphinstone L; Elton B; Ely M; Esher V; Essex E; Fermoy B; ffrench B; Fitzwalter B; Forbes L; Forester B; Glendevon B; Gort V; Gowrie E; Granville E; Graves B; Grey E; Hambledon V; Harding of Petherton B; Harewood E; Harris B; Harvey of Tasburgh B; Hatherton B; Headfort M; Home E; Howard of Penrith B; Howick of Glendale B; Huntingfield B; Ilchester E; Inchiquin B; Inverforth B;Kenswood B; Kenyon B; Keyes B; Kilmaine B; Kingsale B; Kingston E; Langford B; Layton B; Leigh B; Lifford V; Lincoln E; Lisle B; Londonderry M; Long V; Longford E; Lonsdale E; Louth B; Lucas of Chilworth B; Luke B; Lyvedon B; MacAndrew B; Macdonald B; Malmesbury E; Malvern V; Manchester D; Manton B; Marchamley B; McGowan B; Massy B; May B; Mayo E; Merivale B; Methven B; Mexborough E; Milne B; Milverton B; Molesworth V; Monck V; Moncreiff B; Montagu of Beaulieu B; Monteagle of Brandon B; Moray E; Mottistone B; Mount Edgcumbe E; Muskerry B; Newburgh E; Norbury E; Orkney E; Palmer B; Piercy B; Plymouth E[ Raglan E; Ranfurly E; Rathconnell B; Ravensworth B; Rea B; Reith B; Rendlesham B; Rennell B; Ritchie of Dundee B; Riverdale B; Rochester B; Rodney B; Rootes B; Rosse E; Rothes E; Runciman of Doxford V; Sackville B; St Vincent V; Samuel V; Sanderson of Ayot B; Sandford B; Scarsdale V; Selby V; Selkirk E; Shannon E; Sherfield B; Sidmouth V; Sinclair of Cleve B; Sinclair L; Sinha B; Southwell V; Stamp B; Strabolgi B; Strathcona and Mount Royal B; Stuart of Findhorn V; Sudeley B; Sutherland E; Swinton E; Talbot of Malahide B; Tankerville E; Tedder B; Tenby V; Tennyson B; Teviot B; Teynham B; Thomson of Fleet B; Trimlestown B; Tryon B; Tweedsmuir B; Valentia V; Wakehurst B; Wardington B; Waterford M; Westbury B; Westwood B; Wharncliffe E; Winchester M; Winterton E; Wolverton B; Wraxall B.

All the above are peers regardless of their failure to appear on the Roll. They include Dukes, cousins of the King and Prince of Wales (Harewood, Fermoy, Elphinstone), and the Earl of Dalhousie, who attended the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla. 

So it's quite clear that Andrew's removal from the Roll was done to deceive and bamboozle the public into thinking that the King's brother is no longer Baron Killyleagh, Earl of Inverness or Duke of York, when in fact he is and will be until his death, or until an Act of Parliament is brought before Parliament. 

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A great-grandchild on the way for Princess Alexandra

Tim & Flora.

Flora Vesterberg (nee Ogilvy), wife of Timothy Vesterberg, and a descendant of the Royal House of Windsor, is expecting a baby.

Flora announced the good news on her Instagram page this afternoon.

Flora, a great-great granddaughter of King George V and Queen Mary married Tim Vesterberg at the Chapel Royal St James's Palace, on 26 September, 2020.

Timothy Vesterberg [born 1 Aug, 1993], is a son of Mr & Mrs Patrik Vesterberg, of Stockholm, Sweden.

Flora Alexandra Vesterberg [born 15 December, 1994], is a scion of the Earls of Airlie, only daughter of James Robert Bruce Ogilvy [born 29 February, 1964], of Fawley, by his wife the former Julia Caroline Rawlinson [born 28 Oct, 1964].

Flora is a granddaughter of the late Rt Hon Sir Angus Ogilvy, KCVO, PC [1928-2004], by his wife HRH Princess Alexandra Helen Elizabeth Olga Christabel of Kent [born 25 Dec, 1936], daughter of HRH The late Prince George Edward Alexander Edmund, 1st Duke of Kent [1902-1942], by his wife HRH Princess Marina of Greece & Denmark [1906-68].

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Baron Pitt-Watson


The life peerage recently bestowed upon David James Pitt-Watson has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Pitt-Watson, of Kirkland of Glencairn in the County of Dumfriesshire. H took his seat in the House of Lords, 19 January, 2026.

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Wendy Malet 1926-2026

 Wendy Malet, who died 9 January, 2026, aged 99, was a scion of the Malet baronets.

She was born 21 March, 1926, daughter of Edward Barnabas Wyndham Malet (1894-1961), and his wife the former Esther Grace MacDonald Lyon (who died 6 Sept, 1969), and was unmarried.

She was a great-great-granddaughter of Sir Charles Warre Malet, 1st Baronet, FRS (1752-1815).

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Susannah Mary Hulbert (née Oliphant) 1943-2026

 Susannah Mary Hulbert (née Oliphant) died at Norwich, 9 January, 2026, aged 82.

She was born 16 March, 1943, the eldest daughter of Lieutenant-Commander Ralph Henry Hood Laurence Oliphant, 11th of Condie (1915-1995), head of that landed family, and his wife the former Barbara Mary Drake (1918-1979); and married in 1968, Evelyn Gervase Carson Hulbert, OBE (1942-2018), son of Lieutenant-Colonel John Harvey Hulbert (1912-1980), and his wife the former Elisabeth Lovett (1912-1985), by whom she had two sons, George Gervase (born 1970), and William Laurence (born 1972).

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Saturday, January 17, 2026

Arthur Mark Nicole (born 2025)

Dr Charlotte Nicole (nee Craven), wife of Edward Tom George Nicole [born 1990], gave birth to a son, Arthur Mark, 30 December, 2025.

Charlotte is the elder daughter of Mr and Mrs Giles Craven, of Dulwich, London.

Edward Nicole is the eldest son of the late Mr [Timothy] Mark Nicole [1954-2015] and his wife the former Lisa Cleone Vivian Ropner [born 2 July, 1964], now of Rodmarton, Gloucestershire, scion of the Ropner baronets.

Sir Emil Ropner, 1st Baronet [1838-1924] > William Ropner [1864-1947] > John Ropner [1903-96] > Jeremy Ropner [1932-2009] > Lisa Ropner [b 1964] > Edward Nicole [b 1990] > Arthur Nicole (b 2025)

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Hazell/Haig engagement

The engagement was announced 17 January, 2026, between Henry Hugh Hazell (born May 1994), son of Mark David William Hazell (born 1959), of Monmouthshire, and his wife the former Lucinda Ann (Lucy) John (born 1967), & Iona Frances Haig (born 2 January, 1995), scion of that landed gentry family of Ramornie, younger daughter of Alexander Veitch Haig (born 19 November, 1960), of Stirlingshire, and his wife the former Susan Anne Harriet Campbell.

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David John Charles Farquhar 1935-2025

 David John Charles Farquhar, who died 24 December, 2025, aged 90, was a scion of the Farquhar landed gentry family. 

He was born at Weymouth, Dorset, 27 February, 1935, but for the last 60 years of his life he lived in the United States.

He was a son of Commander Charles Robert Stanier Farquhar, RN, OBE (1907-1968), and his wife the former Eleanor Mary Clara Macdonald McHattie (1907-1988). He leaves a widow Martha, and two daughters, Alex and Gillie, and a twin sister, Gillian Mary Tullis.

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The Baron Babuda


The life peerage recently bestowed upon Peter Boniyah Babudu, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Babuda, of Peckham in the London Borough of Southwark.

Lord Babudu is executive director of Impact on Urban Health. He is a member of Lincoln College Oxford's Anti-Racism Commission. He was chair of the Blagrave Trust. He was councillor for Rye Lane ward on Southwark London Borough Council. In the 2024 United Kingdom general election, he applied to be a candidate in Camberwell and Peckham to succeed Harriet Harman.

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Bromley-Martin/Cox engagement

 The engagement was announced 17 January, 2026, between Charles David Bromley-Martin (born 28 May, 1988), scion of that landed gentry family, son of Michael Granville Bromley-Martin (born 1955), of West Wittering, and his wife the former Anna Frances Birley (born 1 March, 1961), & Georgina Rose Cox (born 1988), daughter of Robin Cox, of Chelwood Gate, and Mrs Sarah Millett, of Uckfield, Sussex.

Charles Bromley-Martin is descended from the Barons Braybrooke and Barons Rayleigh.

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Martin/Baring engagement

 The engagement was announced 17 January, 2026, between Joseph Martin, son of Mr and Mrs Frank Martin, of Moynalvey, Co Meath, and Maud May Baring (born 9 May, 1998), scion of the Barons Revelstoke, daughter of Hugo John Baring (born 12 July, 1970), of Holland Park, London, and his wife the former Annabel Mullion.

Maud Baring is a great-granddaughter of Lady Rose Baring, DCVO (1909-1993), a long serving Woman of the Bedchamber to HM Queen Elizabeth II, and is a kinswoman of the Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex (both Revelstoke descendants).

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Friday, January 16, 2026

Baroness MacLeod of Camusdarach

 The life peerage recently bestowed upon Catherine Margaret MacLeod has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baroness MacLeod of Camusdarach,  of Lochaber in the County of Inverness-shire. She is taking her seat in the House of Lords, 9 February, 2026.

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The 4th Baron Kershaw 1936-2026

 The 4th Baron Kershaw, a peer for 63 years, died 4 January, 2026. He was 89.

Edward John Kershaw was born 12 May, 1936, son of the then Edward Aubrey Kershaw (born 29 August, 1906), and his wife the former Katharine Dorothea Staines, daughter of Charles H Staines, of Clapham, London. 

His grandfather, Fred Kershaw, OBE (1881-1961), was a Labour party politician, created a peer in 1947, as Baron Kershaw, of Prestwich in the County Palatine of Lancaster, who later served as a Lord-in-waiting in the Labour government of Clement Attlee, 1945-51. 

On the demise of the first Baron, 5 Feb, 1961, the peerage descended to his eldest son, Herbert (1904-1961), the 2nd peer, who died without male issue five months later, 18 July, 1961, when he was succeeded by his younger brother, Edward Aubrey, 3td Baron, who died six months after succeeding, 22 February, 1962.

The 4th Baron married 20 July,l 1963, Rosalind Lilian Rutherford, 2nd daughter of Ian Strachan Rutherford, of Castlegate, Richmond-on-Thames, co. Surrey, by whom he had issue, a son, John, and two daughters, Victoria and Isobel.

His son, the Hon John Charles Edward Kershaw, born 23 December, 1971, succeeds to the peerage.

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Wigan/Spiegel engagement

 The engagement was announced 16 January, 2026, between Fergus Adam Wigan (born 30 April, 1990), son and heir of Sir Michael Iain Wigan, 6th Baronet (born 3 October, 1951), of Borrobol, Sutherland, and his wife the former Julia Theresa De Courcy Ling (born 1961), & Elizabeth A. Spiegel , daughter of Lawrence Spiegel, of Coral Gables, Florida, and Mrs Spiegel.

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Arthur Charles Mole 1926-2025

 Arthur Charles Mole died 8 January, 2026, aged 99.

He was born at Chertsey, Surrey, in April, 1926, son of Sir Charles Johns Mole, KCB, MVO (1886-1962), the architect who served in the Ministry of Works, eventually becoming its Director-General, by his wife the former Annie Eliza Martin (1883-1962); and married 7 September, 1957, the Hon Susan Mary Hinton (1932-2014), daughter of the life peer the Baron Hinton of Bankside, OM, KBE, FRS (1901-1983), the nuclear engineer, and supervisor of the construction of Calder Hall, the first large-scale nuclear power station in the West.

Arthur Mole leaves two sons, Christopher (born 4 Nov, 1960), and Richard (born 6 Feb, 1966).

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Fairbank/Denny engagement

 The engagement was announced 16 January, 2026, between Adrian C. Fairbank and Mrs Lorna Caroline Denny. The marriage is to take place at Little Missenden, 18 Jan, 2026.

Mrs Denny (nee Statham) is the former wife of Walter Victor Marcel Denny, scion of the Denny baronets.

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Fisher/Burleigh engagement

 The engagement was announced 16 January, 2026, between Benjamin Alexander Francis Fisher (born 28 June, 1995), descended from the Mosley, Talbot, Fitzroy families, only son of Nicholas Francis Fisher (born 12 August, 1964), of Wardour, Wiltshire, and his wife the former Jill Rosemary Allinson, & Georgia Elizabeth Grace Burleigh (born 2002), youngest daughter of Robert G. Burleigh (born 1957), of Sixpenny Handley, Wiltshire, and his wife the former Michelle Anne Rideout (born 1968).

Benjamin's Marlborough descent:-

George Spencer-Churchill, 6th Duke of Marlborough >Lady Clementine Augusta Spencer-Churchill > Evelyn Frances Henrietta Green > Paul Goudime Levkovitsch > Alexandra Goudime-Levkovitsch > Nicholas Francis Fisher > Benjamin Alexander Francis Fisher 

Benjamin's Mosley descent:-

Sir Oswald Mosley, 4th Bt > Constance Mosley > Sheila Violet McNeill > Alexandra Goudime-Levkovitsch > Nicholas Francis Fisher > Benjamin Fisher

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St John/Salgueiro Trillo engagement

 The engagement was announced 16 January, 2026, between William Ramsay Alexander St John (born April, 1995), son of Mr & Mrs John St John, of Hildenborough, Kent,  and Dalila Salgueiro Trillo, daughter of Mr and Mrs Jose Salgueiro Sobrino, of Oviedo, Asturias. 

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Thursday, January 15, 2026

Baroness Gill

The life peerage recently bestowed upon Neena Gill, CBE, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baroness Gill, of Jewellery Quarter in the City of Birmingham and of Southall in the London Borough of Ealing. She is to be introduced into the House of Lords, 20 January, 2026.

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Baroness Hyde of Bemerton

 The life peerage recently awarded to Sara Kathryn Sabiers Hyde, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baroness Hyde of Bemerton. She was introduced to the House of Lords on 15 January, 2026.


HRH Princess Irene of Greece & Denmark 1942-2026

 HRH Princess Irene of Greece & Denmark died in Madrid, 15 January, 2026, aged 83.

Princess Irene was the youngest child of Paul I, King of the Hellenes (1901-1964), a sister of Constantine II, King of the Hellenes (1940-2023), and sister of HM Queen Sofia of Spain (born 2 Nov, 1938), and was aunt of Spain's King Felipe, and a second cousin of King Charles III and of the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra, the Hon Lady Ogilvy. 

She was born in exile in South Africa, 11 May, 1942, daughter of the future King Paul and his wife Princess Frederica of Hanover (1917-1981). She was unmarried.

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Capt. David Anderson Vetch 1929-2026

 David Anderson Vetch, late the Queen's Royal Irish Hussars, died 11 January, 2026.

He was born in London, circa Apr 1929, son of Colonel George Anderson Vetch (1899-1955), of Queensway, Lincoln, and his wife the former Doris Melita Bedford (1902-1981), & married firstly, in 1953 (div. 1965), Moira Anne St Barbe Emmott (born 1931), daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Richard St Barbe Emmott (1896-1949), and his wife the former Hon Irene Mary Egidia Clifton-Hastings-Campbell (1898-1961), daughter of the 2rd Baron Donington (1859-1927); and married 2ndly, Eileen Kavanagh. He left issue from both marriages, a son and a daughter from his first marriage, and two sons from his second marriage.

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James Alexander Toby Caulfeild 1937-2026

 James Alexander Toby Caulfeild, who died 7 January, 2026, aged 88, was a scion of the Viscounts Charlemont.

He was born 30 March, 1937, son of Wade Toby Caulfeild (1902-1991), and his wife the former Philippa Mary Brocklebank (1911-1996); and married in 1976, Diana Penelope Pound (born 1948), daughter of Colonel Martin Pound, RM, and his wife the former Averil J. Harrison, by whom he has issue, four daughters, Harriet, Victoria, Charlotte and Sophie.

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Theodore Charles Valentine Quick (born 2026)

  The Lady Natasha Rose Catherine Linda Quick (nee Howard, born 1987), wife of Charles William H. Quick [born 1985], gave birth to a son, Theodore Charles Valentine, 5 January, 2026, a brother for Vincent Sam (Vinnie), who was born 15 May, 2023.

Lady Natasha is the younger daughter of the 21st Earl of Suffolk and Berkshire [1935-2022], of Charlton Park, Wiltshire, and his third wife, the former Linda Jacqueline Paravicini [born 1950], previously the wife of the 4th Viscount Bridport, and descended from the Swinnerton Dyer baronets.

Charles Quick is a son of the late Michael Quick, and his wife nee Browning, of Banwell Farm, South Mundham, West Sussex.

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Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Baroness Linforth

The life peerage recently bestowed upon Carol Laurette Linforth, OBE, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baroness Linforth, of Redland in the City of Bristol. She is to be introduced into the House of Lords, 2 February, 2026.

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Baron Forbes of Newcastle

The life peerage recently bestowed upon Nicholas Iain Forbes, CBE, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Forbes of Newcastle, of Heaton in the City of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Baroness Shah of Wembley

 The life peerage recently awarded to Shama Shilesh Tatler, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baroness Shah, of Wembley in the London Borough of Brent.

Baron Roe of West Wickham

 The life peerage recently bestowed upon Andrew Dudley Roe has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Roe of West Wickham.



Baroness Paul of Shepherd's Bush

 The life barony recently awarded to Tracey Amanda Paul has been gazetted in the name, style, and title of Baroness Paul of Shepherd's Bush.



Colonel Rhoderick Stuart Cochrane-Dyet 1933-2025

 Colonel Rhoderick Stuart Cochrane-Dyet, late the 9th/12th Queen's Royal Lancers, died 25 December, 2025.

He was born in 1933, a son of Colonel John Cochrane-Dyet (1894-1954), and his wife the former Mary Eleanor Berry (1898-1985), and married 1stly, 23 August, 1957 (div. 1969) Elizabeth Jennifer Jane Seymour (born 20 Oct, 1934), daughter of Almeric Hugh Seymour, CBE (1894-1950), and his wife the former Margaret Kathleen Browne (1898-1984), scion of the Marquesses of Sligo; and married 2ndly, 28 Aug, 1969, Allela Harwood Annan (born 7 January, 1940), daughter of Maj. John Annan (1912-2001), and his wife the former Pamela Harwood James (who died 9 July, 1972).

From his first marriage he leaves two sons, Charles Nicholas (born 4 Oct, 1958), and Christopher James (born 19 Apr, 1963), and a daughter, Amanda Jane (born 17 March, 1961).

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Angela Mary Horsfall (nee Firth) 1943-2026

 Angela Mary Horsfall (nee Firth), died in Edinburgh, 3 January, 2026. She was 82.

She was born circa Oct 1943, in Leeds, a daughter of Henry Firth (1914-1990), and his wife the former Josephine Margaret Muller (1917-2001); and married 4 December, 1965, Donald James Linton Horsfall (born 3 Oct, 1942), the second son of Sir John Musgrave Horsfall, 2nd Baronet (1915-2005), and his wife the former Cassandra Nora Bernardine Wright (1919-2009), by whom she had issue, two sons, Peter (born 1970), and Richard (1973), and a daughter, Elizabeth (born 1968).

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Stephenson/McEuen engagement

 The engagement was announced 14 January, 2026, between Alexander Foster Lyon Stephenson (born 9 February, 1995), scion of the Stephenson baronets, the elder son of George Lyon Stephenson (born 23 Apr, 1962), of Barford St Martin, Wiltshire, and his wife the former Lucilla C. Clay (born 1964), scion of that landed gentry family, & Isobel Johanneke McEuen (born 25 November, 1999), daughter of James Stewart McEuen (born 1969), of Owston, Leicestershire, and his wife the former Katharine Johanna Lawson-Dick (born 1970).

Sir Henry Stephenson, 1st Bt (1865-1947) > Charles Eustace Kenyon Stephenson (1903-1971) > Charles Lyon Stephenson (b 1935) > George Lyon Stephenson (b 1962) > Alexander Stephenson (b 1995)

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Richardson/Coe engagement

 The engagement was announced 14 January, 2026, between Jack Michael N. Richardson (born 1991), son of Kim Richardson, of Corscombe, West Dorset, and his wife nee Faber, & the Hon Alice India Violet Coe (born 1998), daughter of the Baron Coe, CH, KBE (born 29 September, 1956), life peer, the sports administrator, former politician and retired track and field athlete, who as a middle-distance runner, he  won four Olympic medals, by his 1st former wife the former Nicola (Nicky) McIrvine (now Nicky, Lady Coe, of Kensington).

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Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Kirsty van Zeller (née Smith) (died 2026)

Kirsty van Zeller died 3 January, 2026, in Nairobi, aged 37.

A daughter of Hugh Smith, and married 25 July, 2020, Jonathan Frederick (Jonty) van Zeller (born 1988), son of Nicholas Howard van Zeller, of Vernham Dean, Andover, by his wife the former Emma Ward Jones (born 1956), scion of the Jones baronets.

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Hon Una Rowcliffe (née Slim) 1930-2026

The Hon Una Rowcliffe, who died 5 January, 2026, aged 95, was a scion of the Viscounts Slim.

She was born 1 December, 1930, daughter of Field Marshal the 1st Viscount Slim, KG, GCB, GCMG, GCVO, GBE, DSO, MC (1891-1970), and his wife the former Aileen Robertson, DStJ (1901-1994); and was twice wed, firstly, 17 Jan, 1953 (div. 1979), Major Peter Nigel Stewart Frazer, son of Colonel Donald Frazer, of Tiverton, Devon, and married 2ndly, 1980, a his second wife, Ronald Frederick Rowcliffe (1929-2010), son of Reuben Henry Rowcliffe (1899-1972), and is wife the former Clara Elizabeth Buckingham (1898-1967).

From her first marriage she leaves three daughters, Sarah Juliet (born 15 Dec, 1953), Jennifer Jane (born 23 Nov, 1956), and Emma Mary (born 23 July, 1965).

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Monday, January 12, 2026

Baron Docherty of Milngavie

 The  life peerage recently bestowed upon Joseph Paul Docherty has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Docherty of Milngavie, and is to be to be introduced into the House of Lords on 19 January.