trenchard

Sunday, June 21, 2026

North Yorkshire wedding for Lady Marina Windsor and Nico Macauley

 The marriage will take place on Saturday 20 June, 2026, at All Saints' Church, Hovingham, North Yorkshire, between Mr Nico Macauley and the Lady Marina Windsor, granddaughter of The Duke of Kent, and the late Duchess of Kent.

The wedding breakfast took place at Hovingham Hall, seat of the Worsley baronets, and birthplace of Lady Marina's late grandmother, the Duchess of Kent.

Lady Marina's grandmother, the then Katharine Worsley married at York Minster, 8 June, 1961, HRH The Duke of Kent, cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. The wedding breakfast, following the first royal wedding in Yorkshire since the Middle Ages, took place at Hovingham Hall, with the late Queen attending along with many members of the Royal Family, and members of European royal families.

Nico Julian Macauley (born 6 April, 1993), is the elder son of the late William Francis Macauley (born 30 Sept, 1953), and his wife the former Nicola Jane Thompson. 

Nico's mother, Mrs Nicola Macauley, lives in the village of Stonegrave, just two miles from Hovingham Hall. The hall, a Palladian-style country house has been the seat of the Worsley family for 450 years, and is currently the home of Lady Marina's cousin, Sir William Worsley, 6th Baronet.

Nico's father died 16 June, 2019, aged 65. He was a grandson of the newspaper magnate, William Berry, 1st Viscount Camrose (1879-1954).

Nico was educated at the top Catholic school Ampleforth College, just seven miles from Hovingham and then at Newcastle University.

Nico's grandfather, William Perine Macauley (who died in 1990), of Ballward House, County Wicklow, married 7 April, 1948, the Hon Diana Phyllis Berry (1924-94), fourth daughter of the 1st Viscount Camrose. 

It is not known when Lady Marina and Nico started dating though the socialite cousin of the King was first linked to the cyber security account executive in 2023, when she posted a selfie with Nico to mark his 30th birthday. Lady Marina recently as shared images on Instagram featuring Nico in a loving embrace at last year’s Glastonbury festival.

The 1st Viscount Camrose started his working life as a journalist and established his own paper, Advertising World, in 1901. Berry made his fortune with the publication of the First World War magazine The War Illustrated, which at its peak had a circulation of 750,000. In partnership with his younger brother, Gomer Berry, 1st Viscount Kemsley (the elder brother was Seymour Berry, 1st Baron Buckland), he purchased The Sunday Times in 1915 and was its editor-in-chief until 1937. In 1919 the pair also purchased the Financial Times.

In 1924 the Berry brothers and Sir Edward Iliffe set up Allied Newspapers and purchased the Daily Dispatch, the Manchester Evening Chronicle, the Sunday Chronicle, the Sunday News, and the Sunday Graphic, as well as a string of other newspapers across the country. In Cardiff they merged four newspapers into the Western Mail. In 1927 they purchased The Daily Telegraph from the 2nd Harry Levy-Lawson, 1st Viscount Burnham, with William Berry becoming its editor-in-chief. In 1937 they purchased its rival, The Morning Post.

In 1926, the Berry brothers/Allied Newspapers purchased Amalgamated Press (AP), which had been started by Alfred Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Northcliffe, in 1901 (Harmsworth had died in 1922).

Berry bought out his partners in 1937 and amalgamated The Morning Post with The Daily Telegraph, with himself as chairman and editor-in-chief. His sons Seymour, the 2nd Viscount, and subsequently Michael, continued to run the newspaper until 1986; in addition, Seymour was Vice Chairman of Amalgamated Press from 1942 to 1959 (when AP was acquired by the Mirror Group).

Camrose provided financial assistance to Sir Winston Churchill after the Second World War. He and ten other wealthy well-wishers each donated £5,000 to the Churchills, allowing them to keep their home, Chartwell, on the condition that it would be presented to the nation upon their deaths.

One of Nico's great-aunts, Sheila, Countess of Birkenhead (nee Berry) (1913-92), was a lady-in-waiting to Lady Marina's great-grandmother and namesake, Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent from 1949 to 1953. Another of Nico's great-aunts was Shelagh (nee Macauley), Countess of Lisburne (who died in 2016), wife of the 8th Earl of Lisburne, a television executive. Nico's father was a first cousin of Lady Juliet Townsend, DCVO, a Lady-in-Waiting to Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon from 1971 to 2002.

Nico's cousin, Valerie McNair-Scott was wife of the 8th Earl of Longford. She died 22 January, 2023. Another cousin is the actor Joshua Sasse (born 9 December, 1987).

Lady Marina Charlotte Alexandra Katharine Helen Windsor (born 30 September, 1992), is a great-great granddaughter of King George V and a second cousin once removed of King Charles III. She is the second child, and eldest daughter of the Earl and Countess of St Andrews. Her father is the elder son and heir of HRH The Duke of Kent, who is a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II.

Lady Marina’s only brother is Edward, styled Baron Downpatrick, who will one day succeed to the dukedom of Kent. Marina’s sister, Lady Amelia, is a mannequin. Both Edward and Amelia are single. 

Nico's parents married in Westminster, 5 February, 1992. They have a younger son, Alexander Ronnie Macauley born in 1995.

Lady Marina is a Roman Catholic and excluded from the line of succession to the Throne.

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Saturday, June 20, 2026

Daisy Sandra and Romy Harriet de Laszlo (born 2026)

 Jemima Kate de Laszlo (née Francis, born  1979), wife of William Patrick de Laszlo (born 1979), gave birth to twin daughters, Daisy Sandra, and Romy Harriet, 2 June, 2026.

William de Laszlo is the second son of Damon Patrick de Laszlo (born 8 Oct, 1942), of Pelham Place, Hampshire, and his wife the Hon Sandra Daphne Hacking (born 10 June, 1950).

Jemima is a daughter of Julian C. Francis, of Rogate, West Sussex, and his wife the former Harriet Robb.

William is a grandson maternally of the late 2nd Baron Hacking (1910-1971).

It is William de Laszlo's second marriage. He married firstly, in 2004, Katherine Alice Guinness, scion of the brewing dynasty, daughter of Timothy Whitmore Newton Guinness and his wife the former Beverly Anne Mills, by whom he has issue, a daughter Alice Florence (b 25 Aug 2007), and a son, Walter Henry Patrick (b 30 Oct, 2009). 

William and Jemima have other issue, sons, Gabriel Patrick Julian (born 13 March, 2020), and Xander Patrick Damon born 21 May, 2021.

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Packe-Drury-Lowe/St Pierre Bunbury marriage

 The marriage has taken place 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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Dr Sylvia Mary Haslam 1934-2026

 Dr Sylvia Mary Haslam died 6 June, 2026, aged 91. 

She was born 28 June, 1934, daughter of Cecil Henry Cobden Haslam, MP (1904-1972), and his wife the former Sylvia Lois Assheton (1905-1977), scion of the Assheton baronets, later Barons Clitheroe. She was unmarried. 

She was a Doctor of Philosophy, and an author of numerous papers on rivers, wetlands and riverscapes. She graduated with a Doctor of Science, and was a Lecturer in Biology at Royal University of Malta.

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David Andrew Fellowes 1944-2026

David Andrew Fellowes, who died 15 June, 2026, aged 82, was a scion of the Fellowes-Gordon landed gentry family.

He was born 2 January, 1944, and educated at Ampleforth, the second son of Peregrine Edward Launcelot Fellowes (1912-1999), and his wife the former Olwen Mary Stuart-Jones (1912-1980); and was a brother of the writer and life peer, Julian Fellowes, the Baron Fellowes of West Stafford (born 17 Aug, 1949).

He leaves a widow Alena, and daughter, Alexandra.

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Bridget Isabella Corry (née Litherland) c1950-2026

 Bridget Isabella Corry (née Litherland), died 5 June, 2026, aged 76.

She was born circa 1950, daughter of Sydney Litherland, of Tenerife, Canary Islands, and married in 1971, Lieutenant-Colonel Timothy William Corry (born 14 June, 1948), second son of Sir William James Corry, 4th Baronet (1924-2000), and his wife the former Diana Pamela Mary Lapsley, by whom she had issue, a son, Edward, and three daughters, Georgina, Victoria and Charlotte.

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Katherine "Grizel" Barton 1930-2026

 Katherine Barton, who died 19 May, 2026, aged 96, was a scion of the Earls of Lauderdale.

She was born 7 April, 1930, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel David Edward Maitland Makgill Crichton (1879-1952), scion of that Scottish landed gentry family, ad his wife the former Phyllis Cuthbert (who died in 1982); and married 24 July, 1954, Dr Russell William Andrew Charles Barton (1923-2002), son of Charles William Barton, by whom she had issue, two daughters, Karen (born 24 May, 1956), and Sarah (born 23 May, 1958).

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Friday, June 19, 2026

Rev Anthony Hazlerigg Proctor-Beauchamp 1940-2026

The Rev Anthony Hazlerigg Proctor-Beauchamp, who died 11 June, 2026, aged 86, was a scion of the baronets of that name.

The clergyman was Curate-in-Charge of Lower Willingdon (1977-80); Chaplain of Bethany School, Goudhurst (1980-86); Luckley-Oakfield School, Wokingham (1986-88); Clayesmore School, Blandford (1989-93); Rector of Kirby-le-Soken with Great Holland (1993-2000); Assistant Priest of Wetheral with Warwick (2000-01).

He was born 25 February, 1940, second son of Sir Ivor Cuthbert Proctor-Beauchamp, 8th Baronet (1900-1971), and his wife the former Caroline Muriel Densham (died 1987); and married 30 October, 1965, Anne Elise Hewitt (c1944-2022), daughter of the Rev Thomas Hewitt, of Worthing, West Sussex, by whom he had issue, two sons Guy and Julian, and a daughter, Claire.

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Kenneth Francis Clarke-Jervoise 1955-2026

 Kenneth Francis Clarke-Jervoise died 2 June, 2026, aged 70. He was descended from the Jervoise (later Jervoise-Clarke) baronets, now extinct.

Born in Hampshire in 1955, he was the son of Cecil Stanhope Clarke-Jervoise (1905-1982), of Rowlands Castle, Hampshire, and his wife the former Ruth Stables.

His father Cecil Stanhope Clarke-Jervoise, was born in Cape Colony, South Africa, in 1905, the son of Sir Dudley Alan Lestock Clarke-Jervoise, 7th Baronet (1876-1933), of Idsworth Park, Horndean, Hampshire, and Grace Eostre Ellison. However, Cecil's parents did not marry until 1908. The baronetcy became extinct with the death of the 7th baronet, 24 August, 1933.

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The 8th Earl of Mexborough 1931-2026

 The 8th Earl of Mexborough, a Yorkshire landowner, died 16 June, 2026. He was 95.

The Earl was the 8th Earl of Mexborough of Lifford, co. Donegal Peerage of Ireland[1766] the 8th Viscount Pollington of Ferns [Ireland., 1766] and the 8th Baron Pollington of Longford, co. Longford [Peerage of Ireland 1753].

Lord Mexborough's family seat was Arden Hall, Hawnby, North Yorkshire, purchased in 1897 by the 6th Earl, as a second home. The Savile family estate at Methley Hall, where the family had been seated since Elizabethan times, was demolished in the late 1950s.

John Christopher George Savile was born 16 May, 1931, son of the 7th Earl of Mexborough (1906-1980). and his wife the former Josephine Bertha Emily Fletcher (1908-1992); and was twice married. He married 1stly, 30 May, 1958 (div. 1972), the Lady Elizabeth Harriot Grimston (1939-1987), daughter of the 6th Earl of Verulam (1912-1973), and his wife the former Marjorie Ray Duncan (who died 1994); and married 2ndly, 5 June, 1972, Catherine Joyce Hope (born 1939), former wife of Nicholas Vivian (1935-2004, later the 6th Baron Vivian), and daughter of James Kenneth Hope, CBE, DL (1896-1983), of West Park, Lanchester, County Durham, and his wife the former Mary Joyce Orlebar (1903-2004), scion of that landed gentry family.

He succeeded his father in the Irish peerages, 15 July, 1980.

From his first marriage Lord Mexborough had issue, a son John, styled Viscount Pollington (born 30 Nov 1959, who died from cancer,23 Oc, 2024, after years of drug and alcohol addiction, and a daughter Lady Alethea Savile (born 3 June, 1963, and who committed suicide 16 September 1994, when her fiance James Gilbey dumped her for Diana, Princess of Wales. 

From his second marriage he leaves a son, the Hon James Savile, styled Viscount Pollington from his half-brother's demise in 2024 (born 21 Aug, 1976), and Lady Lucinda Savile (born 3 Apr, 1973).

The peerages now descend to his only surviving son, John.

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Thursday, June 18, 2026

Margaret Mary Tweedie (died 2026)

Margaret Mary Tweedie died 26 May, 2026, aged 70.

The former Margaret O'Kelly she married in 1980, Simon Vere Tweedie (1954-2022), son of Vere Justin Tweedie (1914-1993), and his wife the former Anne Temple Githa Hoare (1916-1986), scion of the Hoare baronets, by whom she had issue, two sons, Angus and Oliver, and a daughter, Helen.

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Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Lady Marina Windsor & Nico Macauley’s wedding to take place on Saturday

 The marriage will take place on Saturday 20 June, 2026, between Mr Nico Macauley and the Lady Marina Windsor, granddaughter of The Duke of Kent, and the late Duchess of Kent.

It is not known as yet where the 'royal' nuptials will take place. It is almost certain that as both Marina and Nico are Roman Catholics that the wedding will be held in a prominent Catholic church. 

Rumours that the wedding was to take place at St Mark's Church, Englefield, have been denied. The Englefield estate is owned By Lord Benyon, Lord Chamberlain to the Royal Household, who is in today's royal procession at Ascot. St Mark's is an Anglican church, and the setting of the wedding in 2017 of the Princess of Wales's sister, Pippa Middleton and James Matthews. 

It is not known when Lady Marina and Nico started dating though the socialite cousin of the King was first linked to the cyber security account executive in 2023, when she posted a selfie with Nico to mark his 30th birthday. Lady Marina recently as shared images on Instagram featuring Nico in a loving embrace at last year’s Glastonbury festival.

Nico Julian Macauley (born 6 April, 1993), is the elder son of the late William Francis Macauley (born 30 Sept, 1953), and his wife the former Nicola Jane Thompson. Nico's father died 16 June, 2019, aged 65. He was a grandson of the newspaper magnate, William Berry, 1st Viscount Camrose (1879-1954).

Nico was educated at the top Catholic school Ampleforth College in Yorkshire and at Newcastle University.

Nico's grandfather, William Perine Macauley (who died in 1990), of Ballward House, County Wicklow, married 7 April, 1948, the Hon Diana Phyllis Berry (1924-94), fourth daughter of the 1st Viscount Camrose. 

The 1st Viscount Camrose started his working life as a journalist and established his own paper, Advertising World, in 1901. Berry made his fortune with the publication of the First World War magazine The War Illustrated, which at its peak had a circulation of 750,000. In partnership with his younger brother, Gomer Berry, 1st Viscount Kemsley (the elder brother was Seymour Berry, 1st Baron Buckland), he purchased The Sunday Times in 1915 and was its editor-in-chief until 1937. In 1919 the pair also purchased the Financial Times.

In 1924 the Berry brothers and Sir Edward Iliffe set up Allied Newspapers and purchased the Daily Dispatch, the Manchester Evening Chronicle, the Sunday Chronicle, the Sunday News, and the Sunday Graphic, as well as a string of other newspapers across the country. In Cardiff they merged four newspapers into the Western Mail. In 1927 they purchased The Daily Telegraph from the 2nd Harry Levy-Lawson, 1st Viscount Burnham, with William Berry becoming its editor-in-chief. In 1937 they purchased its rival, The Morning Post.

In 1926, the Berry brothers/Allied Newspapers purchased Amalgamated Press (AP), which had been started by Alfred Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Northcliffe, in 1901 (Harmsworth had died in 1922).

Berry bought out his partners in 1937 and amalgamated The Morning Post with The Daily Telegraph, with himself as chairman and editor-in-chief. His sons Seymour, the 2nd Viscount, and subsequently Michael, continued to run the newspaper until 1986; in addition, Seymour was Vice Chairman of Amalgamated Press from 1942 to 1959 (when AP was acquired by the Mirror Group).

Camrose provided financial assistance to Sir Winston Churchill after the Second World War. He and ten other wealthy well-wishers each donated £5,000 to the Churchills, allowing them to keep their home, Chartwell, on the condition that it would be presented to the nation upon their deaths.

One of Nico's great-aunts, Sheila, Countess of Birkenhead (nee Berry) (1913-92), was a lady-in-waiting to Lady Marina's great-grandmother and namesake, Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent from 1949 to 1953. Another of Nico's great-aunts was Shelagh (nee Macauley), Countess of Lisburne (who died in 2016), wife of the 8th Earl of Lisburne, a television executive. Nico's father was a first cousin of Lady Juliet Townsend, DCVO, a Lady-in-Waiting to Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon from 1971 to 2002.

Nico's cousin, Valerie McNair-Scott was wife of the 8th Earl of Longford. She died 22 January, 2023. Another cousin is the actor Joshua Sasse (born 9 December, 1987).

Lady Marina Charlotte Alexandra Katharine Helen Windsor (born 30 September, 1992), is a great-great granddaughter of King George V and a second cousin once removed of King Charles III. She is the second child, and eldest daughter of the Earl and Countess of St Andrews. Her father is the elder son and heir of HRH The Duke of Kent, who is a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II.

Lady Marina’s only brother is Edward, styled Baron Downpatrick, who will one day succeed to the dukedom of Kent. Marina’s sister, Lady Amelia, is a mannequin. Both Edward and Amelia are single. 

Nico's parents married in Westminster, 5 February, 1992. They have a younger son, Alexander Ronnie Macauley born in 1995.

Lady Marina is a Roman Catholic and excluded from the line of succession to the Throne.


Tuesday, June 16, 2026

The Baroness Glenarthur 1945-2026

The Baroness Glenarthur, wife of the 4th Baron, has died aged 81. Susan Barry was born 5 May, 1945, a scion of the Barry baronets, daughter of Commander Hubert Wyndham Barry, and his wife Violet Agatha Ruggles-Brise, scion of that family of baronets, and married 12 Nov, 1969, the then Hon Simon Mark Arthur, who succeeded as 4th Baron Glenarthur, in 1976. Lady Glenarthur is survived by her husband and a son, Edward, and daughter, Emily. -~-

Rebecca Louise Whitworth (née Bowring) 1953-2026

Rebecca Louise Whitworth (née Bowring) died 13 June, 2026.

She was born in 1953, daughter of Richard Hardcastle Bowring (1916-1990), and his wife Gabrielle Edith Cropper (1923-1988), scion of that landed gentry family; and married in 1974, Robert St John Whitworth (born 2 Apr, 1949), son of Major Ian Henry Whitworth (1919-1983), and his wife the former Rosamund Audrey Blunt (1921-1972), scion of the Blunt baronets, by whom she had issue, two sons, Hugh Charles (born 21 Sept, 1978), and Mark St John (born 15 Apr, 1981).

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Saturday, June 13, 2026

Penelope Anne Greenwood (nee Burrell) 1932-2026

Penelope Anne Greenwood, who died 25 May, 2026, aged 94, was a scion of the Burrell baronets.

She was born 21 March, 1932, the elder daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Walter Raymond Burrell, 8th Baronet (1903-1985), and his wife the former Hon Anne Judith Denman (1907-1987), daughter of the 3rd Baron Denman (1874-1954); and married 25 July, 1953, John Richard Greenwood (1926-2014), head of that landed gentry family, son of John Eric Greenwood (1891-1975), and his wife the former Doris Mary Radford (1897-1973), by whom she had issue, two sons, John and James, and two daughters, Anne and Fiona.

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Humphrey/Antony engagement

 The engagement was announced 13 June, 2026, between Rory D.M. Humphrey, eldest son of Edward Charles Marcus Humphrey (born 1965), of Dinnet, Aboyne, and his former wife the former Serena Jean Wolfe-Murray (born 25 June, 1964, now Mrs Serena McIvor, of Edinburgh), & Samantha D. Antony, daughter of Mr and Mrs Ronald Antony, of Canby, Minnesota.

Rory Humphrey is descended from the Murray of Blackbarony baronets.

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Anthony David Gibson-Watt 1975-2026

 Anthony David Gibson-Watt, who died 2 June, 2026, was a grandson of the life peer the Baron Gibson-Watt, and descended from the Hambro banking dynasty.

He was born in 1975, the eldest son of the Hon Robin Gibson-Watt (born 1949), and his wife the former Marcia Susan Cary (born 12 Sept, 1949), daughter of Sir Roger Cary, 2nd Baronet (1926-2011); and was twice married, firstly, in 2005, Alice Amaryllis Montagu Douglas Scott (1978-2013), a scion of the Dukes of Buccleuch & Queensberry (Duke, Peerage of Scot, cr 1684), the only child of Thomas Walter Montagu Douglas Scott (born 1 July, 1943), by his former wife the Hon Marion Miranda Phillimore (b 9 May, 1946), a daughter of the 4th Baron Phillimore (1911-94) (Peerage of the UK, cr 1918). He married 2ndly, Charlotte Lucy Tyson (born 1972), a daughter of Graham B.M. Tyson [born 1948], by his wife the former Sarah T. Bailey [b.1945].

Anthony Gibson-Watt leaves a daughter from his first marriage, Chiara Charlotte (born 11 Oct, 2012), and a daughter from his second marriage, Kitty Eliza (born 2 May, 2019).

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Verena Elizabeth Anne Hanbury, MBE, DL 1933-2026

 Verena Elizabeth Anne Hanbury (nee Kimmins), MBE, DL, died 30 May, 2026, aged 93. 

She was born in March, 1933, a daughter of Capt Anthony Martin Kimmins, OBE, RN (1901-64), of the family of Kimmins of Marks Barn, by his wife the former Elizabeth Hodges; and married 8 May, 1962, Benjamin John Hanbury, a scion of the landed family, of Hanbury of Hitcham & Melgate; who was born 19 Jan 1934, and educated at Eton and Oxford, son of Christopher Lionel Hanbury, MBE, DL, by his wife the former Lettice Charrington, scion of that landed family. Her husband died 27 September, 2012.

Verena was a president of the Chailey Heritage Foundation, the granddaughter of the Founder, Dame Grace Kimmins, and was involved with the charity as a child when she visited her grandmother on site.  She became a Governor in 1962 and was Chair of Governors from 1968 to 2004 when she became a Trustee. Verena remained a Trustee until she retired in 2018.  Chailey Heritage was always very close to Verena’s heart, and she kept up with everything going on there, even when she moved from the family home in Piltdown to Gloucestershire.  

She leaves four sons, Marcus, Simon, James and Timothy, and a daughter, Lucinda.

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Garthwaite/Bunting engagement

 The engagement was announced 13 June, 2026, between Philip William Roger Garthwaite (born 1997), scion of the Garthwaite baronets, son of Andrew William David Garthwaite (born 1 April, 1962), of Fairstead, Essex, and his wife the former Georgina Barrington Hadlee, and Imogen Tessa Bunting (born 1998), daughter of Timothy B. Bunting, of Rotherwick, Hampshire, and his wife the former Sarah S. Hunt.

Philip Garthwaite is a grandson of Sir William Garthwaite 2nd Baronet (1906-1993).

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Friday, June 12, 2026

Squadron Leader Michael Vansittart Bowater 1928-2026

 Michael Vansittart Bowater, who died 8 May, 2026, aged 97. was a scion of the Bowater family of baronets.

He was born 7 October, 1928, a son of Norman Vansittart Bowater (1862-1934), and his second wife the former Jessie Faithfull Frampton (1900-1989); married 20 August, 1955,  Joan Edith Hughes (1929-2017), daughter of Joseph Hughes, of Osterley, Middlesex, by whom he had issue, three sons, David, Michael and Nigel, and a daughter, Sara.

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Alison Faith Crommelin (née Eyre) 1942-2026

Alison Faith Crommelin (née Eyre), who died 2 June, 2026, aged 84, was a scion of the Eyre landed gentry family. 

She was born 8 May, 1942, the second daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel John Stewart Eyre (1909-1992), and his wife the former Patricia Marguerite Wilson(1912-1994); and married 24 April, 1965, Geoffrey Arden Crommelin (1932-1982), son of Wing Commander Henry Arden Crommelin (1899-1976), and his wife the former Emily Mona Mary Festing-Smith (1906-1986), a granddaughter of the 26th Baron Kingsale (1855-1931); by whom she had issue, a son James (born 1965, deceased), and a daughter, Sophie (1969-2000).

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Seward/Groves engagement

The engagement was announced 12 June, 2026, between Alexander Nicholas Mark Seward (born 3 November, 1991), the only son of Paul Kenneth Seward (born 1956), of Walton-on-Thames, and his wife the former Susan Caroline Taylor (born 1959), & Georgina Mary Charteris Groves (born 1993), youngest daughter of Richard William Lewis Groves (born 1957), of Fontmell Parva, Dorset, and his wife the former Helen Mary Keppel Charteris (born 10 January, 1956), scion of the Earls of Wemyss & March.

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Thursday, June 11, 2026

Michael Patrick William Young 1944-2026

 Michael Patrick William Young, died 23 May, 2026, aged 81.

He was born 18 August, 1944, son of Wing Commander Michael James Beaumont Young, DFC (1916-1979), and his wife the former Nina Mary Aline Seely (1911-1981), scion of the Seely baronets; and married 1stly, 1970, Sonia M Smith; married 2ndly, 1988, Diane Hall.

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Brigadier Desmond Richard Henry Longfield 1931-2026

Brigadier Desmond Richard Henry Longfield, who died 6 June, 2026, was a scion of that landed gentry family (Irish). He was 95.

He was born 24 February, 1931, the son of Colonel Richard James Longfield (1901-1987), and his wife the former Charlotte Mary Portal (1903-2002), scion of the Portal baronets; and married 8 August, 1959, Jennifer Spencer-Thomas (1940-2025), daughter of Clement William Robert Spencer-Thomas (1905-1989), and his wife the former Betty Potter (1914-2010), by whom he had issue, a son, James (born 2 March, 1964), and three daughters, Melanie (born 29 May, 1961), Harriet (b 9 Aug, 1965), and Charlotte (b 1970).

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Nicola Cookson (née Cathcart Walker Heneage) 1939-2026

Nicola Cookson, who died 30 May, 2026, aged 87, was a scion of the Heneage landed gentry family, shs was born in 1939, daughter of Michael William Walker Heneage (1907-1946), and his wife the former Dulcibel Effie Davies; and married in 1962, Philip Francis Cookson, RN 1931-2014, by whom she had 2 sons.

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Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Robert Peter Philip Charteris (born 2026)

  Rose Susanna Charteris (born 1992), scion of the Barons Ampthill, and wife of Michael John Samuel Charteris (born 27 July, 1990), scion of the Earls of Wemyss & March, gave birth to a son, Robert Peter Philip, 30 May, 2026, a brother for Frederick Martin Johnnie, who was born 10 November, 2023.

Rose is a daughter of the Hon John Hugo Trenchard Russell [born 13 October, 1950] , of Dorset, and Mrs Susanna Russell [nee Merriam], of London; and Michael is a son of Mr Martin Ian Charteris [born 31 May, 1960], of Harare, Zimbabwe, by his wife the former Dr Helen Heath.

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Georgina Madeleine Mary Grattan-Bellew (nee Milner) 1939-2026

 Georgina Madeleine Mary Grattan-Bellew, who died 25 May, 2026, aged 86, was a scion of the Milner baronets.

She was born 3 September, 1939, daughter of Sir George Edward Mordaunt Milner, 9th Baronet (1911-1995), and his 1st wife the former Barbara Audrey Belsham (who died 17 January, 1951); and she married 20 June, 1961, Arthur Henry Bertram (Bertie) Grattan-Bellew (1937-2011), scion of the Grattan-Bellew baronets, and a great-grandson of the 7th Earl of Granard, son of Sir Arthur John Grattan-Bellew, Knt, CMG (1903-1985), and his wife the former Winifred Mary Mahony, by whom she had issue, a son, Charles (born 11 Nov, 1964), and a daughter, Sophie (born 14 December, 1962).

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Barrioseta/Philipps engagement

 The engagement was announced 10 June, 2026, between Valentino Barrioseta, son of Mr Valentin Barrioseta and Mrs Elsa Fassbender, of Alicante, Spain, and Emma Philipps, scion of the Barons Milford, daughter of Charles Edward Laurence Philipps (born 20 January, 1959), of Dalham, Suffolk, and his former wife the former Fiona Land, now Mrs Fiona Langley, of Birdbrook, Essex.

1st Baron Milford (1874-1961) > Hon James Philipps (1905-84) > Peter Philipps (1933-2018) > Charles Philipps (b 1959) > Emma Philipps

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Tuesday, June 09, 2026

The funeral of Lady Pamela Hicks

 The funeral of Lady Pamela Hicks, a cousin of the King, is to take place on Saturday 13 June, 2026, at Brightwell Baldwin Church, Oxfordshire, close to her home.

From The Times.
The funeral takes place on the King's official birthday when he will preside over his Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour) at London's Horse Guards Parade.

It is not known whether the King will attend his cousin's funeral. His Buckingham Palace balcony appearance is usually at about 1pm, and Lady Pamela's funeral is to be held at 3pm.

Last week the King attended his nephew's wedding in Gloucestershire, and several hours later was at Epsom for the running of the Derby, and so logistically the happy and mournful occasions could be combined. We shall see.

Lady Pamela Hicks, who died 5 June, 2026, aged 97, was the younger daughter of Admiral of the Fleet the 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, KG, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, DSO, PC, FRS (1900-1979).

She was a great-great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria, thus related to all the crowned heads of Europe, and served Queen Elizabeth II as a Lady-in-Waiting, and was with the then Princess Elizabeth in Kenya in 1952 when Her Majesty ascended the throne.

In late 1953 and early 1954, she accompanied the Queen as lady-in-waiting on the royal tour to Jamaica, Panama, Fiji, Tonga, New Zealand, Australia, Ceylon, Aden, Libya, Malta and Gibraltar. 

Lady Pamela was the Corps Commandant of the Girls' Nautical Training Corps from around 1952 to around 1959.

Lady Pamela was a bridesmaid to the then Princess Elizabeth, her third cousin, on her marriage to the Duke of Edinburgh, 20 November, 1947.

Pamela Carmen Louise Mountbatten was born in Barcelona, 19 April, 1929, second daughter of the then Lord Louis Mountbatten, who was second son of Admiral of the Fleet the 1st Marquess of Milford Haven, GCB, GCVO, PC (1854-1921), and his wife Princess Victoria Alberta Elisabeth Mathilde Marie of Hesse (1863-1950).


Her mother was the heiress the Hon Edwina Ashley, GBE, DCVO, CI (1901-1960), younger daughter of the 1st and last Baron Mount Temple (1867-1939), and his wife Amalia Mary Maud Cassel (1881-1911), the only child of the multi-millionaire, Sir Ernest Cassel, GCB, GCMG, GCVO, PC (1852-1921).


Pamela was christened 12 July, 1929, at the Chapel Royal, St. James's Palace. Her godparents were:  Alfonso XIII, King of Spain; Prince George, Duke of Kent; Nadejda Mountbatten, Marchioness of Milford Haven; Marjorie, Countess of Brecknock (Edwina Mountbatten's first cousin); and the Duchess of Peñaranda (María del Carmen Saavedra y Collado, Marqués de Villaviciosa). She was given the middle name Carmen in honour of the Duchess of Peñaranda.

 Through her father, Lady Pamela was a first cousin of The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (1921-2021), and a grandniece of the last Tsarina of Russia, Alexandra Feodorovna (1872-1918),  and, at the time of her death was Queen Victoria's oldest living descendant.

She was "Miss Mountbatten" from birth and until her father was created a Viscount in 1946, when she became the Hon Pamela Mountbatten, and from 28 October, 1947, she was styled Lady Pamela Mountbatten, following her father's creation as the 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma.

Lady Pamela served as a Lady-in-Waiting (Temp.) to HM Queen Elizabeth II.

She married at Romsey Abbey, 13 January, 1960, David Nightingale Hicks (1929-1998), son of Herbert Hicks (1863-1940), of The Hamlet, Coggeshall, Essex, by his wife Irene Elsie Platten (1886-1966), by whom she had issue, a son, Ashley Louis David (born 18 July, 1963), and two daughters, Edwina Victoria Louise (born 24 December, 1961), and India Amanda Caroline (born 5 September, 1967).

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Georgiana Elizabeth Mary Frazer (born 2026)

Anna Mary Frazer (nee Coreth born 1993), wife of William Frazer, gave birth to a daughter, Georgiana Elizabeth Mary, 3 June, 2026, a sister for Alice Iona Sophia, who was born 9 April, 2024.

Anna Frazer is a daughter of Major Mark Rudolph Coreth (born 1958), of Tisbury, Wiltshire, late The Blues & Royals, the sculptor, and his wife the former Seonaid Mary Goodbody (born 1961), scion of that Irish landed gentry family.

William D. Frazer is a son of the Rev Dr Richard and Mrs Frazer, of Edinburgh.

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Monday, June 08, 2026

Order of the Thistle for Sir Jim McDonald and Sir James MacMillan

His Majesty the King has made two appointments to the the Order of the Thistle. 

Professor Sir James Rufus (Jim) McDonald (born 1957) and Sir James MacMillan (born 16 July, 1959), were both appointed by the King to Scotland highest order of chivalry for their notable contributions to engineering and music, respectively.

The Thistle is in the gift of the King, who is sovereign of the order and appoints whom he deems fit entirely through his own accord, without advice from third parties such as the government.

Additionally, Baroness Grainger, DBE (born 12 November, 1975), was appointed the Usher of the Green Rod, marking her as an officer of the order.

The order is comprised of 16 knights and ladies, as well as members of the royal family - Her Majesty The Queen (2023), The Princess Royal (2000), the Duke of Rothesay (2012), and The Duke of Edinburgh (2024).

McDonald is known for his work in engineering and university leadership.

He was appointed as the Rolls-Royce chairman in electrical power systems at the University of Strathclyde in 1993, later becoming head of the electronic and electrical engineering department in 2003, and then principal and vice-chancellor in March 2009, where he remained until he retired in 2025.

He served as president of the Royal Academy of Engineering from 2019 to 2024, the first Scot to hold the position.

He was knighted in 2012 for services to education, engineering and the economy, and was appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) in 2024.

MacMillan, a highly renowned Ayrshire-born composer, is known not only for his music, but for achievements including the establishment of the Cumnock Tryst festival.

He was awarded a knighthood during the Queen’s Birthday honours of 2015, with his anthem Who Shall Separate Us? commissioned for her funeral in 2022.

Earlier this year, Charles approved the award of the King’s Medal for Music for Sir James MacMillan.

Baroness Grainger, a Glaswegian, is known for her achievements in both sport and law.

She won Olympic rowing gold in the double sculls at London 2012 with team-mate Anna Watkins.

Regarded as Britain’s most successful female rower, she is the only woman across any sport to win medals in four consecutive Olympic Games.

After years of studying law and medical ethics, she completed a PhD in the sentencing of homicide at King’s College London.

List of Knights of the Thistle:-

(1) The 11th Earl of Elgin and Kincardine

(2) Baron Mackay of Clashfern

(3) Baron Wilson of Tillyorn

(4) Baron Steel of Aikwood

(5) Baron Robertson of Port Ellen

(6) Baron Cullen of Whitekirk

(7) Baron Hope of Craighead

(8) Baron Patel

(9) Baron Smith of Kelvin

(10) The 10th Duke of Buccleuch & Queensberry

(11) Sir Ian Wood

(12) Lady Elish Angiolini

(13) Baroness Black of Strome

(14) Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws

(15) Sir James McDonald

(16) Sir James MacMillan

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Williams/Ritblat engagement

 The engagement was announced 8 June, 2026, between Oscar B. Williams, eldest son of Mr & Mrs David Williams, of Henley, Oxfordshire, and Daisy Paja Silver Ritblat (born 1998), the eldest daughter of James William Jeremy Ritblat (born 18 February, 1967), the Old Etonian businessman, of Guiting Power, Gloucestershire, and his wife the former Joanna Henrietta Jackson (born 11 February, 1966), scion of the Jackson baronets.

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Saturday, June 06, 2026

Peter Phillips marries Harriet Sperling


The King and Queen were present at All Saints' Church, Kemble, Gloucestershire, on Saturday 6 June, 2026, for the marriage of Peter Phillips,  His Majesty's nephew, and Harriet Sperling.

The bride, who was given in marriage by her brother Mr Nicholas Sanders, was attended by her daughter, Georgina Sperling, and Peter's daughters, Savannah and Isla Phillips.

Peter Mark Andrew Phillips (born 15 November, 1977), is the only son of Capt Mark Anthony Peter Phillips (born 22 September, 1948), late the Queen’s Dragoon Guards, scion of that landed gentry family, and his first wife HRH The Princess Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise, Princess Royal, KG, &c (born 15 Aug, 1950).

Harriet Eleanor Sperling (born 1980), is a daughter of the late Rupert Hugh Sanders (1944-2023) and his wife the former Mary Elizabeth Hoskins (born 1950).

Other members of the Royal Family attending include the Prince and Princess of Wales, Peter's mother, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, Peter's father Capt Mark Phillips, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Earl of Wessex, Princess Beatrice, and Count Edo Mapelli Mozzi, Princess Eugenie, and Tom Brooksbank, Princess Margaret's daughter, Lady Sarah Chatto, Daniel Chatto, Samuel Chatto, the Earl of Snowdon, and Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones.

Peter Phillips, nephew of the King, and Queen Elizabeth II's eldest grandchild, was first seen on the arm of a new girlfriend in 2024.  Harriet, described in the Sun newspaper as "a paediatric and specialist nurse and freelance writer in her 40s" was seen with Phillips at the Badminton Horse Trials where she was introduced to Queen Camilla.

Harriet wrote in March 2024 of the struggles, and joys, of her life as a single parent bringing up her young daughter, Georgina Isabella (born in 2012). She highlighted how while 'parenting solo can be tough' it 'can also be the most beautiful, precious relationship.' Harriet said: 'In the earlier years of my journey as a single mother to my daughter, resources were scarce, and the future was uncertain. 'Yet, in the absence of material security, I discovered the strength and life that comes from true selfless love. A love that is able to be solely devoted to your child.'

Harriet's first marriage was to Antonio St John Sperling (born with the surname Di Martino in Nov 1981), who was a son of Domenico Di Martino & of Sonia Anne Agnes Sperling (1952-2017), scion of that landed gentry family, of Lattenbury Hill, St Ives, Huntingdonshire, and descended from Admiral Sir Henry Loraine Baker, 2nd Baronet, CB.

Harriet's life as a struggling single parent belies her aristocratic and distinguished ancestry. The NHS nurse was born Harriet Eleanor Sanders, her birth registered at Swindon, in the first quarter of 1980, daughter of solicitor Rupert Hugh Sanders (1944-2023), and his wife the former Mary Elizabeth Hoskins (born 1950), daughter of Richard Samuel Hoskins (1912-78), of Park Corner, Cirencester, and his wife (nee Wakefield).

Harriet's mother featured in Tatler in 1971 on their 'Girls in Pearls' page following the announcement of her engagement to Rupert Sanders, whose ancestry is rich in the landed 'beerage' and stockbroking.

Harriet's grandfather Maj Geoffrey Thomas St John Sanders (1911-86), a High Sheriff of Gloucestershire, married Eleanor De Zoete (1910-78), of the Mill House, Radwell, scion of the De Zoete stockbroking dynasty, daughter of the Old Etonian stockbroker and famed England cricketer Herman Walter De Zoete (1877-1957).

Herman De Zoete was a right-handed batsman who bowled both slow left-arm orthodox and left-arm medium pace, and played for Cambridge University in the 1890s. He was part of the De Zoete & Bevan stockbroking family who were bought out by Barclays Bank in 1986. De Zoete married in Essex in 1903, Dorothy Courage (1877-1972), scion of the Courage landed gentry family, whose fortune was based on brewing from the 18th century. 

Dorothy Courage was the tenth child of Edward Courage (1832-1904), of Shenfield Place, Brentwood, Essex, and Hanover Square, London, an old Harrovian, head of the Courage landed gentry family, by his wife the former Helen Rosa Marshall (1837-96), a scion of that landed gentry family of Hardres Court, Canterbury.

Harriet has siblings: Nicholas (born 1975), Louisa (born 1976), and Rebecca (born 1986).

Bungay/Atkins engagement

 The engagement was announced 6 June, 2026, between Felix Nicholas Bungay (born 12 August, 1990), elder son of the late Dr Stephen Francis Bungay (1954-2026), historian and author, and his former wife the Hon Atalanta Armstrong Beaumont (born 1961), & Jemima S. Atkins, daughter of Mr & Mrs John Atkins, of Pulborough, West Sussex.

Felix Bungay is a grandson of the late Baron Beaumont of Whitley 1928-2008, who was a scion of the Barons (later Viscounts) Allendale.

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Weld/Scott engagement

 The engagement was announced 6 June, 2026, between Joseph James Royston Weld (born 1992), scion of that landed gentry family, eldest son of James Joseph Weld (born 29 April, 1960), of Lulworth, and his wife the former Sara Elizabeth Royston, & Rebecca M. Scott, daughter of the late Dr Andrew Scott, and of Mrs Kay Scott, of Salisbury, Wiltshire.

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William Harrison Holt (born 2026)

 Holly Emma Holt (born 1994, nee Bourne-Arton), wife of Thomas Harrison Holt (born 1986), gave birth to a son, William Harrison Holt, 1 June, 2026.

Thomas Holt is a son of James Harrison Holt (1936-Jan 2026), and his late 2nd wife, the former Mary Allison Thomas (1947-2020), of Ravenswick, North Yorkshire. 

Thomas Holt is a grandson of Lt-Col Vernon Harrison Holt, MC (1888-1966), and his wife Kathleen Reckitt (1904-1991), daughter of Sir Philip Reckitt, 3rd & last Baronet (1873-1944).

Holly is a scion of that landed family, of Tanfield, North Yorkshire, daughter of Richard William Bourne-Arton (born 1966), of Tanfield, and his wife the former Daphne Elizabeth Benson (born 1964).

Thomas Holt's firs marriage, 28 Dec, 2016, was to Lucinda Caroline Egerton (b 30 Aug, 1982), scion of that landed gentry family.

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Lydia Alice De Laszlo 1980-2026

 Lydia Alice de Laszlo died 23 May, 2026, aged 46.

She was born in 1980, daughter of Martin de Laszlo (1940-2017), and his wife Mary Gwendolen Freeman (born 1 February, 1945), daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel John Edward Broke Freeman (1910-1986), and his wife the Lady Winefride Alice Fitzalan Howard (1914-2006), daughter of the 15th Duke of Norfolk (1847-1917).

Lydia was also of Guinness ancestry:-

Henry Guinness (1829-93) > Lucy Guinness (1870-1950) > John de Laszlo > Martin de Laszlo >Lydia de Laszlo

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Keeling/Wake engagement

The engagement was announced 6 June, 2026, between Edward Anthony Keeling (born 24 September, 1996), son of Thomas F. Keeling, of Taunton, Somerset, and his wife the former Siobhan Pilar Collins (born 1967), & Mary Wake (born 1997), scion of the Wake baronets, daughter of Edward Wake (born 21 June, 1965), of The Holt, Hampshire, and his wife the former Katherine Yvonne Leavett-Shenley (born 13 September, 1965), descended from the Cecil Marquesses of Exeter.

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Wilfred Hugo Luke Morrison (born 2026)

  Chekkie Morrison [nee Kauntze], wife of Oliver Charles Francis Morrison [born 19 Aug, 1989], gave birth to a son, Wilfred Hugo Luke, 16 May, 2026, a brother for India Amber Chekkie, who was born 20 May, 2020, and for Cosmo Alexander Harry, born 20 February, 2023.

Chekkie Morrison is a daughter of Mr & Mrs Christopher Kauntze.

Oliver is a son of Alexander Morrison, by his former wife the Hon Louisa Mary Constance Napier [born 5 February, 1961], daughter of the 14th Lord Napier, of Merchistoun, KCVO [1930-2012], by his wife the former Delia Mary Pearson, daughter of Major Archibald David Barclay Pearson, by his wife the former Hilda Constance Helen Blackburn [1902-86], a granddaughter maternally of the 13th Earl of Strathmore & Kinghorne.

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Henry George Eden (born 2026)

  The Hon Helen Eden (née Shepheard-Walwyn, born 1990), wife of the Hon John Michael Oliver Eden (born 30 June, 1988), scion of the Barons Henley, gave birth to a son, Henry George, 1 June, 2026, a brother for Francis John Robert, who was born 14 September, 2023.

The Hon John Eden is the eldest son and heir of the 8th Baron Henley (born 22 Nov, 1953), and his wife the former Caroline Patricia Sharp (born 1958).

Helen Eden is a daughter of Simon Shepheard-Walwyn (born 1958), with a landed gentry ancestry, and his wife the former Christine Walker.

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Friday, June 05, 2026

Lady Pamela Carmen Louise Hicks (nee Mountbatten) 1929-2026

 The Lady Pamela Hicks, who died 5 June, 2026, aged 97, was the younger daughter of Admiral of the Fleet the 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, KG, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, DSO, PC, FRS (1900-1979).

She was a great-great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria, thus related to all the crowned heads of Europe, and served Queen Elizabeth II as a Lady-in-Waiting, and was with the then Princess Elizabeth in Kenya in 1952 when Her Majesty ascended the throne.

In late 1953 and early 1954, she accompanied the Queen as lady-in-waiting on the royal tour to Jamaica, Panama, Fiji, Tonga, New Zealand, Australia, Ceylon, Aden, Libya, Malta and Gibraltar. 

Lady Pamela was the Corps Commandant of the Girls' Nautical Training Corps from around 1952 to around 1959.

Lady Pamela was a bridesmaid to the then Princess Elizabeth, her third cousin, on her marriage to the Duke of Edinburgh, 20 November, 1947.

Pamela Carmen Louise Mountbatten was born in Barcelona, 19 April, 1929, second daughter of the then Lord Louis Mountbatten, who was second son of Admiral of the Fleet the 1st Marquess of Milford Haven, GCB, GCVO, PC (1854-1921), and his wife Princess Victoria Alberta Elisabeth Mathilde Marie of Hesse (1863-1950).

Her mother was the heiress the Hon Edwina Ashley, GBE, DCVO, CI (1901-1960), younger daughter of the 1st and last Baron Mount Temple (1867-1939), and his wife Amalia Mary Maud Cassel (1881-1911), the only child of the multi-millionaire, Sir Ernest Cassel, GCB, GCMG, GCVO, PC (1852-1921).

Pamela was christened 12 July, 1929, at the Chapel Royal, St. James's Palace. Her godparents were:  Alfonso XIII, King of Spain; Prince George, Duke of Kent; Nadejda Mountbatten, Marchioness of Milford Haven; Marjorie, Countess of Brecknock (Edwina Mountbatten's first cousin); and the Duchess of Peñaranda (María del Carmen Saavedra y Collado, Marqués de Villaviciosa). She was given the middle name Carmen in honour of the Duchess of Peñaranda.

 Through her father, Lady Pamela was a first cousin of The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (1921-2021), and a grandniece of the last Tsarina of Russia, Alexandra Feodorovna (1872-1918),  and, at the time of her death was Queen Victoria's oldest living descendant.

She was "Miss Mountbatten" from birth and until her father was created a Viscount in 1946, when she became the Hon Pamela Mountbatten, and from 28 October, 1947, she was styled Lady Pamela Mountbatten, following her father's creation as the 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma.

Lady Pamela served as a Lady-in-Waiting (Temp.) to HM Queen Elizabeth II.

She married at Romsey Abbey, 13 January, 1960, David Nightingale Hicks (1929-1998), son of Herbert Hicks (1863-1940), of The Hamlet, Coggeshall, Essex, by his wife Irene Elsie Platten (1886-1966), by whom she had issue, a son, Ashley Louis David (born 18 July, 1963), and two daughters, Edwina Victoria Louise (born 24 December, 1961), and India Amanda Caroline (born 5 September, 1967).

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Sir William Jaffray, Bt, marries Miss Gowri Siva

The mariage took place, 20 May, 2026, at Chelsea Westminster Hospital, between Sir William Otho Jaffray, 5th Baronet (born 1 November, 1951), son of Colonel Sir William Jaffray, 4th Baronet (1895-1953), and his second wife the former Anne Paget (1919-2021), scion of that landed gentry family, and Miss Gowri Siva.

It is Sir William's third marriage. He married 1stly, 9 May, 1981 (div 1997), Cynthia Ross Corrington, daughter of John Corrington III, of Montreal; married 2ndly, 2009 (div. 2018), Constance Haynes daughter of John Latshaw,  & Mrs Barbara Schreck.

Sir William has issue from his first marriage, three sons, Nicholas, Jack and William, and a daughter, Alexandra.

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Thursday, June 04, 2026

Griffiths/Gray engagement

 The engagement was announced 4 June, 2026, between Benjamin R. Griffiths, the youngest son of David Griffiths,  of Newent, Gloucestershire, and his wife Catherine, & Jemima Ursula Sinclair Gray (born 22 November, 1997), daughter of Paul Leighton Gray (born 11 January, 1958), of Faringdon, Oxfordshire, and his wife Sarah Elizabeth Sinclair Kendal (born 1960).

Jemima Gray is descended from the Earls of Cottenham:-

The 1st Earl of Cottenham > the Hon George Pepys > Rev Charles Pepys > Ursula Pepys > Paul Gray > Jemima Gray

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Wednesday, June 03, 2026

Sir Alexander William Younger, KCMG 1963-2026

 Sir Alexander William Younger KCMG, died 2 June, 2026, aged 62.

He was a scion of the Younger brewing family from whom descend the Viscounts Younger of Leckie, and Camilla, Countess of Halifax, wife of the 3rd Earl.

Younger was an intelligence officer who served as the Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), from 2014 to 2020. In April 2019, the government extended Younger's contract to maintain stability through the Brexit negotiations, which made him the longest-serving MI6 chief in 50 years.

He was appointed CMG in 2011, and advanced to KCMG in 2019.

He was born 4 July, 1963, son of Nicholas Roland Younger (1934-2010), and his wife the former Mary Patricia Fleming Edge (born 20 Aug, 1940), daughter of Major-General Raymond Cyril Alexander Edge, CB (1912-2000); and married in 1993, Sarah Hopkins, daughter of Sir Michael John Hopkins, CBE, RA (1935-2023), and his wife the former Patricia Anne (Patty) Wainwright, CBE (born 1942), by whom he had issue, two sons, Sam (born 16 Sept, 1996), and Tom (born 7 Apr, 1998), and a daughter, Amy (born 10 Dec, 1994). He was predeceased by his elder son, Sam, who died as the result of an accident in Scotland, 30 March, 2019.

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Sir Angus Duncan Æneas Stirling 1933-2026

Sir Angus Duncan Æneas Stirling, sometime director-general of the National Trust, died 1 June, 2026, aged 92, and scion of that landed gentry family, of Fairburn.

He was born 10 December, 1933, son of Capt Duncan Alexander Stirling (1899-1990), and his wife Lady Marjorie Hilda Murray (1904-2000), daughter of the 8th Earl of Dunmore, VC (1871-1962).

He married 20 June, 1959, Armyne Morar Helen Schofield (born 29 June, 1934), eldest daughter of William George Broadbent Schofield (1899-1987), and his wife the Hon Armyne Margaret Astley (1909-1979), daughter of the 21st Baron Hastings (1882-1956), and his wife the Lady Marguerite Helen Nevill (1887-1975), daughter of the 3rd Marquess of Abergavenny (1854-1938).

Stirling was a governor and deputy chairman of the Royal Ballet. At various times he was a council member, governor or trustee of the Byam Shaw School of Art, the Courtauld Institute, the London Symphony Orchestra, Live Music Now, the Theatres Trust, the Royal School of Church Music, Gresham School and Stowe House Preservation Trust. He was also president of the Friends of Holland Park and a former Prime Warden of the Fishmongers Company. He was knighted in 1994.

He leaves a Widow and a son, Duncan (born 1963), and two daughters, Emma (born 1960), and Candida (born 1966).

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The Baron Haselhurst, PC 1937-2026

 The Baron Haselhurst, PC, Conservative life peer and former MP, died 1 June, 2026. He was 88.

Alan Gordon Haselhurst was the Conservative MP for Saffron Walden 1977-2017, having previously represented Middleton and Prestwich from 1970 to February 1974. Lord Haselhurst was Chairman of Ways and Means from 14 May 1997 to 8 June 2010, and later Chairman of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association between 2011 and 2014.

He was elected to the House of Commons at the 1970 general election for the Lancashire seat of Middleton and Prestwich, and in parliament, he briefly served from 1973 as Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the Home Secretary Robert Carr, before losing his seat in February 1974. Haselhurst lost the seat to Labour by only 517 votes; he then served as the Chairman of the Manchester Youth and Community Service from 1974 until 1977 upon re-entering the Commons; the Conservative MP for the Essex seat of Saffron Walden, Sir Peter Kirk, died on 17 April 1977. Selected to contest the resulting by-election on 7 July, Haselhurst retained the seat for the Conservatives with an increased majority of 12,437, and was returned to Parliament as its MP at every subsequent election until his retirement in 2017.

Following the Conservatives' return to power at the 1979 general election, Haselhurst was appointed PPS to the Secretary of State for Education and Science Mark Carlisle serving for two years from 1979. He served on the European Legislation Select Committee for fifteen years from 1982, and was a member of the Transport Select Committee from 1992 to 1997. He was given the privilege of asking the first question in Margaret Thatcher's final Prime Minister's Questions on 27 November 1990.

Alan Haselhurst was knighted in 1995 and sworn of the Privy Council in 1999.

Nominated for elevation to the peerage on 18 May 2018, he was created by Letters Patent on 22 June, Baron Haselhurst, of Saffron Walden in the County of Essex, before being introduced to the Upper House to sit on the Conservative benches. Lord Haselhurst retired from active politics in the House of Lords on 20 December 2024.

Lord Haselhurst married 16 April, 1977,  Angela Margaret Bailey, who survives him with 2 sons and a daughter.

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Henry Brounger engaged to Elise Dadourian

 The engagement was announced 3 June, 2026, between Henry Brounger (born 1998), scion of the Dukes of Marlborough, son of David William John Brounger (born 1966), of Bloxham, Oxfordshire, and Marina Spencer Churchill (born 11 September, 1967),  & Elise Michelle Dadourian, daughter of Dr Daniel Dadourian and Dr Anne de Papp, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Henry Brounger is a grandson of Winston Spencer Churchill, MP (1940-2010), a great-grandson of Maj the Hon Randolph Spencer Churchill (1911-1968), and a great-great-grandson of the Rt Hon Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, DL, FRS, RA (1874-1965), and Baroness Spencer-Churchill, GBE (1885-1977).

Elise is a granddaughter of the late Dr Zsolt de Papp, and his wife the former Elise W. Wachenfeld (1933-2024), daughter of Justice William Arnold Wachenfeld (1889-1969), of the Supreme Court of New Jersey. 

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Monday, June 01, 2026

Earl of Ancram marries Giulietta Bateman

The marriage took place 29 May, 2026, between John Walter Donald Peter (Johnnie) Kerr, styled Earl of Ancram (born 8 August, 1988), eldest son and heir of the 14th Marquess of Lothian (born 7 November, 1957), of Melbourne Hall, Derbyshire, and the Marchioness of Lothian ( nee Marie-Clare Black, 2nd daughter of (Michael) Donald Gordon Black MC, of Cupar, co. Fife), & Giulietta Francesca Cordelia Gale Bateman (born 23 June, 1995), a producer and production manager, the eldest daughter of Philip Christiaan Bateman (born 5 January, 1945), of Cape Town, South Africa, and his wife the former Caroline Gale.

Lord Ancram, whose father succeeded to the family honours 1 Oct 2024, on the demise of his elder brother, is heir to a string of peerages:- Marquess of Lothian (Scotland, let. pat. 23 Jun 1701), Earl of Lothian (Scotland, let. pat. 31 Oct 1631), Earl of Ancram (Scotland, let. pat. 24 Jun 1633), Viscount of Briene (Scotland, let. pat. 23 Jun 1701), Lord Jedburgh (Scotland, let. pat. 2 Feb 1621/22), Lord Newbottle (Scotland, let. pat. 31 Oct 1631), Lord Kerr of Nisbet, Longnewtoun and Dolphinstoun, (Scotland, let. pat. 24 Jun 1633), Lord Ker of Newbottle, Oxnam, Jedburgh, Dolphinstoun and Nisbet (Scotland, let. pat. 23 Jun 1701), Baron Ker, of Kershaugh in the County of Roxburgh (United Kingdom, let. pat. 17 Jul 1821), 

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Deirdre, Countess of Rosebery 1931-2026

Deirdre, Countess of Rosebery, who died 24 May, 2026, aged 94, was the widow of the 7th Earl of Rosebery (1929-2024).

She was the former (Alison Mary) Deirdre Reid, born in London in 1931, daughter of Ronald William Reid (1910-1994), and his wife the former Elinor Mary Stuart; and married 22 January, 1955, the then Neil Archibald Primrose, styled Lord Primrose, who was born 11 February, 1929, son of the 6th Earl of Rosebery (1882-1974) and his second wife the former Hon Eva Isabel Marian Strutt, DBE (1892-1987), former wife of the Hon Algernon Strutt, 3rd Baron Belper, and scion of the Barons Aberdare. 

Her husband succeeded his father, 31 May, 1964, as 7th Earl of Rosebery (Scotland, let. pat. 10 Apr 1703), 3rd Earl of Midlothian (United Kingdom, let. pat. 3 Jul 1911), 7th Viscount of Rosebery (Scotland, let. pat. 1 Apr 1700), 7th Viscount of Inverkeithing (Scotland, let. pat. 10 Apr 1703), 3rd Viscount Mentmore, of Mentmore in the County of Buckingham (United Kingdom, let. pat. 3 Jul 1911), 7th Lord Primrose and Dalmeny (Scotland, let. pat. 1 Apr 1700), 7th Lord Dalmeny and Primrose (Scotland, let. pat. 10 Apr 1703), 4th Baron Rosebery (United Kingdom, let. pat. 26 Jan 1828), 3rd Baron Epsom, of Epsom in the County of Surrey, (United Kingdom, let. pat. 3 Jul 1911),9th Baronet, styled "of Carrington" (Nova Scotia, let. pat. 1 Aug 1651), Chief of the Name and Arms of Primrose.

Her husband died 30 June, 2024, aged 95.

The Countess of Rosebery leaves issue, a son Harry, and four daughters, Lady Lucy (born 1955), Lady Jane (born 1960), Lady Emma (born 1962), and Lady Caroline (born 1964). The only son, Harry Ronald Neil Primrose, styled Lord Dalmeny (from 1974), succeeded to the peerages and baronetcy and chief of the name and arms of Primroseon his father's demise. He was born 20 November, 1967.

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Jasper William Ally Boyle (born 2026)

  Ayesha Boyle (nee Ally), wife of Richard Piers Boyle [born 1988], scion of the Earls of Cork and Orrery, gave birth to a son, Jasper William Ally, 13 May, 2026, a brother for Nina Mary Ally, who was born 18 April, 2024.

Ayesha is a daughter of Mr & Mrs Dwight Ally. Richard Boyle is a son of the Hon Robert William Boyle [born 1948], by his wife the former Fiona Mary St Aubyn [born 1952], scion of the Barons St Levan, and a grandson paternally of the 14th Earl of Cork & Orrery [1916-2003], and a great grandson maternally of the 3rd Baron St Levan [1895-1978], of St Michael's Mount, Penzance.

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Sir Keith Gordon Munro of Lindertis, 7th Baronet 1959-2026

 Sir Keith Gordon Munro of Lindertis, 7th Baronet, died 6 May, 2026. He was  67. He lived in Warren and Waitsfield, Vermont.

He was born 3 May, 1959, at Norwalk, Connecticut, United States, son of Sir Alasdair Thomas Ian Munro of Lindertis, 6th Baronet (1927-2014), and his wife the former Marguerite Lillian Loy, and he succeeded to the baronetcy (created UK, 1825, of Lindertis, Angus), on his father's death, 13 March, 2014.

He married in 1989, Jade Louise Elwell, daughter of Adrian Elwell, by whom he had a son, Zachary Adrian (born 1992), who succeeds to the baronetcy, and a daughter, Mackenzie Carmen (born 1996).

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