Nicholas John Denison-Pender 1974-2024

 Nicholas John Denison-Pender, who died following an accident, 23 December, 2024, aged 50, was a scion of the Barons Pender.

He was born 30 September, 1974, the second son of James Henry Denison-Pender (born 16 April, 1942), and his first wife the former Gillian Barnett (born 14 July, 1949), scion of that landed gentry family, and married 1999, Louisa Mary Cameron (born 1976), descended from the Rugge-Price baronets, by whom he had issue, three sons, Frederick, Angus, and Thomas, and a daughter, Ella.

The 1st Baron Pender > Hon Richard Denison-Pender > James Denison-Pender > Nicholas Denison-Pender

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Ivy Trafelet (born 3 Jan, 2025)

 The Lady Melissa Jane [Missy] Trafelet [nee Percy, born 1987], wife of Remy White Trafelet [born 1970], and scion of the Dukes of Northumberland, gave birth to a daughter, Ivy, 3 January, 2025, in Florida, a sister for Bluebell Rose, who was born 19 February, 2020, in New York, and twins Percy Dean and Alfred Ralph, 22 February, 2023, in Florida.

Remy Trafelet is a son of Dean M. Trafelet, former Illinois Circuit Judge, by his wife Janet.

Lady Melissa is a daughter of the 12th Duke of Northumberland, of Alnwick Castle, and Syon House, by his wife the former [Isobel] Jane Miller Richard.

Lady Melissa was previously married, 2013 [div 2016] to Thomas Alexander van Straubenzee [born 1982], scion of that landed gentry family.

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Bicket/McLean engagement

 The engagement was announced 7 January, 2025, between Henry James P (Hal) Bicket (born 1994), son of the late Simon A. Bicket (born 1956, d ), and of the Hon Mrs Nicholas Beatty (nee Marianne L. Coleman), of Salcey Lawn, Northamptonshire, and Annabel Louise McLean (born 1994), daughter of Ronald W. Kerry McLean, of Clapham, London, and his wife the former Amanda J. Abrahams.

Hal Bicket is a grandson of Antony Neilson Bicket (1920-2019), and his wife the former Rosemary Parr (1928-2001), and a nephew of Nicola Anne Bicket (born 1960), now the Countess of Crawford & Balcarres, wife of the 30th Earl of Crawford & Balcarres (born 24 Nov, 1958).

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Capt Roger Hugh Moutray Richardson-Bunbury, RN 1934-2024

Capt Roger Hugh Moutray Richardson-Bunbury, RN, died 16 December, 2024, aged 90. He was a scion of the baronets of that name.

He was born 25 October, 1934, the younger son of Richard Richardson-Bunbury (1899-1951), and his wife the former Florence Margaret Gordon Thomson (1905-1993), and a younger brother of Sir Richard Richardson-Bunbury, 5th Baronet (1927-2017); and married 18 September, 1965, Carol Irene Arnold (born 1940), daughter of F.J.H. Arnold, MC, of Guildford, Surrey, by whom he had issue, two sons, Robert (b 15 Sept, 1968), David (b 26 Nov, 1972), and two daughters, Judith (b 7 Feb, 1967), and twin with David, Elizabeth (b  26 Nov, 1972).

His elder brother inherited the family baronetcy, 21 Oct, 1953, and died 1 Dec, 2017.

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Samengo-Turner/Trevelyan engagement

 The engagement was announced 7 January, 2025, between Milo Louis D. Samanego-Turner (born 1996), youngest son of Dominic Michael Adrian Samengo-Turner (born 1964), of Staplefield, West Sussex, and his wife the former Annabel Elizabeth Wilson, & Henrietta Prudence Angela Trevelyan (born 14 October, 1994), scion of the Trevelyan baronets, daughter of Major (Amyas) Charles Trevelyan (born 25 January, 1946), of Stanway, Gloucestershire, and his wife the former Angela Joan Pike.

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Sam Nesbitt (born 6 Dec, 2024)

Hermione Rose Nesbitt [nee Winterton, born 1987], wife of Benjamin Patrick A [Benji] Nesbitt [born 1987], gave birth to a son, Sam, 6 December, 2024, a brother for Charlie Michael, who was born 27 April, 2020.and Eddie, born 28 April, 2022.

Benjamin is a son of David Cosby Patrick Nesbitt [born 1953], by his wife the former Carol Veronica Hunter [born 1956], and Hermione is a daughter of Michael John Willoughby Winterton [born 1956], by his wife the former Olivia Hughes-Onslow [born 1960], descended from the Earls of Onslow.

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John Aidan Cuthbert 1934-2024

 John Aidan Cuthbert, who died 21 December, 2024, aged 90, was head of that landed gentry family of Beaufront Castle, Hexham. Northumberland.

He was born 10 March, 1934, son of Maj. Harold David Cuthbert (1909-1959), of Beaufront Castle, and his wife the former Bridget Sibyl Milnes-Coats (1910-2010), scion of the baronets of that name; and married firstly, 1975 (div) the Lady Victoria Lucy Diana Percy (born 19 Apr, 1949), 2nd daughter of the 10th Duke of Northumberland, KG, GCVO, TD, PC, JP (1914-1988), and his wife the Lady Elizabeth Diana Montagu Douglas Scott (1922-2012); and married 2ndly, 27 Aug, 2002, Griselda Catherine Stainton, former wife of James Francis Muir (born 11 Aug, 1948), scion of the Muir baronets, and daughter of Sir Anthony Nathaniel Stainton, KCB (1913-1988). He leaves issue from his marriage to Lady Victoria Percy, a son David Hugh (born 1987), and three daughters, Alice (b 1978), Lucy (b 1982), and Mary (b 1984).

His daughter Lucy is the wife of HRH Prince Khalid Bin Bandar Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, Saudi Ambassador to the UK 

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Colonel Andrew Peter Harold Parsons (died 2024)

 Colonel Andrew Peter Harold Parsons, Scots Guards, died 18 December, 2024, aged 84.

He was a son of Capt Thomas Edward Harold Thornbrough Parsons, of Carskley, Argyll, and married 3 July, 1962, Rosemary Jane (Romy) Hubbard (born 2 September, 1942), scion of the Hubbard Barons Addington, daughter of Ralph Arthur Hubbard (1908-1983), and his wife the Hon Marian Woodruff Stanley, by whom he had issue, two sons, James (b 1964), Edward (b 1968 , dec), and Annabel (b 1969).

His wife is a granddaughter maternally of the 1st and last Baron Ashfield (1874-1948).

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Sir Anthony May, PC 1940-2024

 Sir Anthony Tristram Kenneth May, who died 30 December, 2024, aged 84, was a retired judge, who previously served as the President of the Queen's Bench Division.

 He was born 9 September 1940, and was educated at Bradfield College and Worcester College, Oxford.

On 1 October 2008, he succeeded Sir Igor Judge as President of the Queen's Bench Division. He was called to the Bar (Inner Temple) in 1967, became a Queen's Counsel in 1979, and a Recorder in 1985. He was appointed to the Queen's Bench Division in 1991, receiving the customary knighthood. In 1997, May was appointed to the Court of Appeal.

May was Vice-President of the Queen's Bench Division from 2002 to 2008, when he was appointed President of the Queen's Bench Division, when the previous president, Sir Igor Judge, became Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales. He was sworn of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom in 1998. May retired from the Queen's Bench Division in July 2011, and was succeeded as its president by Sir John Thomas.  

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Inquest into the death of Henry Keith 1998-2024

  A coroner has ruled that the death of Henry Theodore Keith who died 16 August, 2024, was a tragic accident. Mr Keith, who was 25 drowned during a late night dip with friends on the Norfolk Broads.

Henry was born 2 December, 1998, the second son of James Edward Keith (born 5 March, 1960), and his wife the former Victoria Rosemary Cook (born 1956), and was a descendant of the Mann baronets. He was unmarried.

He was a former schoolboy at one of Britain’s top public schools and drowned in the Norfolk Broads after diving into the water following a heavy drinking session with an old school friend.

Henry Keith, who attended Harrow School in north-west London, disappeared under the water during the late-night dip, despite being a strong swimmer.

A coroner concluded he may have banged his head while going into the water at Wroxham Broad on 16 August 2024. His body was found nearby two days later.

Sebastian Cator, a captain in the Royal Logistics Corps, told the hearing how his friend had undressed and entered the water headfirst. But he failed to resurface after diving off the rear of a launch that belonged to his father, just after it slowed to a halt.

The Old Harrovian said he heard a ‘scratching or tapping’ noise on the underside of the boat, adding: ‘My immediate reaction was that he was trying to play a prank on me. I walked around either edge of the boat and could not find him. ‘That was when I realised he was not playing a joke and began to panic.’

Mr Cator described how he called frantically for his friend – a director at the Organic Pig Company, which was founded in 1998 - but called emergency services after getting no response, leading to a large, multi-agency search.

Mr Keith’s body was recovered from the water in an ‘upright position’ just beneath the surface on 18 August 2024.

Mr Cator told Norfolk Coroner’s Court in Norwich of his heartache and regret about events leading up to the loss of one of his closest friends, explaining how he constantly replayed what had happened in his mind.

Asked by Mr Keith’s brother, Edward, why he didn’t jump in to look for him, he said: ‘I wanted to and I do not know why I did not. Maybe I should have done and I can only apologise for that.’

However, he added he would have been better able to help his friend from the boat if he had resurfaced.

Norfolk area coroner Yvonne Blake recorded a conclusion that the death was an accident.

But she accepted questions remained about how he came to drown when he was known to be fit and a strong swimmer.

‘He could have knocked his head on something under the water, which could have stunned him,’ she said.

The pair, who went shooting together, had begun drinking at around 3.30pm at the Swan Inn pub in Horning before heading to Mr Cator’s family’s home nearby.

His family issued an emotional tribute to him after the inquest, saying: ‘The loss of our precious Henry has created a huge void for our family and all the many friends who loved him dearly.

‘He was a caring and cheerful young man with a bright future ahead of him.’

The family thanked emergency services involved in the search for him, particularly the Hemsby lifeboat and Norfolk Lowland Search and Rescue.

They added: ‘These two organisations did not rest for a moment until he was found.’

In an earlier tribute, posted with a notice of his funeral, they said: ‘Truly he was a gift from God, taken back on a golden summer day.’

The statement described him as a ‘beloved son’ of James and Vicky and an ‘adored brother’ to his four siblings.

It added: ‘The most wonderful, unique, charming and brilliant young man, universally adored. Rest in Peace darling Henry.’

Sir Edward Mann, 1st Baronet (1854-1943) > Maj William Mann (1885-1969) > Penelope Jane Mann (died 2002) > James Edward Keith (b 1960) > Henry Keith (1998-2024)

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Baroness Randerson 1948-2025

 The Welsh Liberal Democrat politician the Baroness Randerson died 4 January, 2025, aged 76.

She was a junior minister in the Wales Office serving in the Cameron–Clegg coalition. Prior to her peerage she was an Assembly Member for Cardiff Central from 1999 to 2011 when she served in the Welsh Labour-Lib Dem administration of the 2000–2003 Welsh Assembly Government.

She was also a former Cardiff councillor for Cyncoed. In 2019 she was appointed Chancellor of Cardiff University.

Jennifer Elizabeth (Jenny) Randerson was elected in 1999 and represented Cardiff Central, beating Labour candidate Mark Drakeford for the seat. She was born 26 May, 1948.

She represented the party in the then Welsh Assembly - now the Senedd - from 1999 to 2011 and served in the Welsh Labour-Lib Dem administration of the 2000-2003 Welsh Assembly government.

Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds said her work as a minister "left an indelible mark on our politics and society".

Ms Dodds added she would be "deeply missed by her family, friends, colleagues, and the many individuals whose lives she touched through her public service".

"From free entry to Wales's national museums to the decision to build Wales Millennium Centre, Jenny dedicated her life to serving the people of Cardiff and Wales."

The former leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Kirsty Williams told BBC Radio Wales that Baroness Randerson's influence was "significant, but, as always with Jenny, it was done in a very quiet and understated way".

She said: "Her contribution to both the Lib Dems in Wales, latterly the Liberal Democrats across the UK, but also to Welsh politics at the dawn of devolution is significant."

Williams, who met Baroness Randerson as a young activist in the Liberal Democrats in the 1990s, said she was struck by the number of younger people who had spoken of the mentorship she provided to them when she was a very busy politician herself.

Baroness Randerson began her career in education as a secondary school teacher and later as a lecturer at Coleg Glan Hafren in Cardiff.

She also served as a Cardiff councillor from 1983 to 2000, helping to grow the Welsh Liberal Democrat party's presence in the capital and leading the council's official opposition for four years.

She became the first female Liberal Democrat minister anywhere in the UK as Minister for Culture, Sport and the Welsh Language from 2000 to 2003 and was acting deputy first minister from July 2001 to June 2002.

The party said she was "instrumental in introducing a cultural strategy aimed at promoting the Welsh language".

After stepping down from the Assembly in 2011, she was appointed a life peer.

In the House of Lords, she continued her commitment to public service, notably serving as parliamentary under secretary of state for Wales.

She was the first ever female Welsh Liberal Democrat to hold ministerial office at Westminster and the first Welsh Liberal to hold a UK ministerial post since Gwilym Lloyd-George in 1945.

Beyond politics, Baroness Randerson served as Chancellor of Cardiff University and was also a patron of various charities including Wales Council for Deaf People, the Cardiff and Vale Youth Wind Band and the African Mothers' Foundation.

Cardiff University's vice-chancellor Prof Wendy Larner said she was a "longstanding friend and advocate for the university and for the benefits of higher education" and that she would be "deeply missed".

Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Cardiff Council Rodney Berman called her a "terrific mentor" and said the party owed her a debt of gratitude.

Mr Berman added that her "contribution to Welsh life and to politics over many decades has been nothing short of immense".

On 27 January 2011, she was created a life peer and her peerage was gazetted in the name, style and title of Baroness Randerson, of Roath Park in the City of Cardiff, and was introduced in the House of Lords on 31 January 2011.

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De Klee/Dear engagement

  The engagement was announced 6 January, 2025, between Nicholas Alexander De Klee (born 1995), son of Hugo Bertram De Klee (born 22 September, 1957), of Ardingly, West Sussex,  and his wife the former Caroline Stephenson Clarke (born 19 September, 1956), and Arabella Mimi Dear (born 15 March, 1995), daughter of Patrick Giles Gauntlett (Paddy) Dear (born 1961), of Shipton Moyne, Gloucestershire, and his wife the former Jane Helen (Janie) Orr Ewing (born 21 January, 1961), scion of that baronetcy family. 

The De Klees descend from the Dawson-Damer Earls of Portarlington, the Guthrie landed family and the Stormonth Darling landed gentry family, and the Leslie and Buxton Baronets.

The 1st Earl of Portarlington > Col the Hon George Dawson-Damer > Lady Constance Dawson-Damer > Olive Leslie > Virginia Violet Guthrie > Murray Peter De Klee > Hugo De Klee > Nicholas De Klee

The 7th Earl of Glasgow > Lady Augusta Boyle > Capt David Orr Ewing > Edward Orr Ewing > Janie  Orr Ewing > Arabella Dear

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Edward Michael Pettifer 1993-2025

 The Prince of Wales has said he and the Princess of Wales are "shocked and saddened" by the death of his former nanny's stepson, Edward Pettifer, who was killed in the New Orleans attack.

Edward Michael Pettifer, born in 1993, was among 14 people killed in a vehicle attack on New Year's Day. He was Charlie Pettifer’s eldest son. 

Edward was a son of Charles Pettifer and his first wife the former Camilla Mary Wyatt (born circa 1966), scion of that landed gentry family, and descended from the Cayzer of Gartmore baronets, daughter of Michael G. Wyatt (b 1937) and his wife the former Caroline Shepley-Cuthbert (born 1941). Charlie and Camilla married in 1991. He married Tiggy in 1999.

His stepmother Alexandra "Tiggy" Pettifer, née Legge-Bourke, cared for Prince William and Prince Harry in the 1990s. Prince William said: "Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Pettifer family and all those innocent people who have been tragically impacted by this horrific attack."

This comes after palace sources said the King was "deeply saddened" by the death and has been in touch with Mr Pettifer's family.

The 1 January attack saw a 42-year-old US Army veteran drive a pick-up truck into crowds along New Orleans's famous Bourbon Street before being shot dead by police.

The New Orleans coroner gave Mr Pettifer's preliminary cause of death as "blunt force injuries", PA reports.

In a tribute, Mr Pettifer's family described him as a "wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and friend to so many".

Edward leaves a brother, Harry (born in 1995), and two half-brothers, Fred (born 2001), and Tom (born 2002). 

The Duke of Sussex has also been informed but will not be commenting publicly on the news.

Sir Charles Cayzer, 1st Baronet (1843-1916) > Maj Harold Cayzer (1882-1948) > Mary Cayzer (1914-1969) married Brig. Wilfrid Penfold Wyatt (1896-1966) > Michael Wyatt (b 1937) > Camilla Wyatt > Ed Pettifer

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Foyle/De Castellane engagement

 The engagement was announced 4 January, 2025, between William Louis A.W. Foyle (born 1993), scion of that landed gentry family, son of Anthony George Eugene Foyle (born 1950), of of Carolside, Earlston, Berwickshire, and his wife the former Rose Clarke, & Rose Jane Michèle Elizabeth De Castellane (born 19 June, 1996), daughter of Comte Bernard De Castellane, Esparron-de-Verdon, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France, and his wife the Comtesse (nee Lady Charlotte-Anne Montagu Douglas Scott (born 9 January, 1956), daughter of the late 9th Duke of Buccleuch & Queensberry, KT, VRD, JP, DL (1923-2007).

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Powell/Puckett engagement

 The engagement was announced 4 January, 2025, between Matthew C. Powell, son of Mr & Mrs Michael Powell, and Melissa Jennifer Lilian Puckett (born 1994), eldest daughter of Jeffrey George Puckett (born 1959), and his wife the former Juliet Caroline Leslie Drinkwater (born 1961), scion of the Barons FitzWalter.

Melissa Puckett is a descendant of the Plumptre Barons FitzWalter, and is in remainder to the peerage which was created by Writ in 1295.

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Pottow/Maitland engagement

 The engagement was announced 4 January, 2025 between Andrew G. Pottow, elder son of Mr Bev Pottow, of Hilton, and Mrs Moira Pottow, of Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, and Jessica Jane Maitland (born 22 March, 1992), scion of that landed gentry family, daughter of John Whitaker Maitland (born 1961), of Somersby, Lincolnshire, and the former (Moira) Jane Bracher (born 1963).

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Roberts/Talbot engagement

 The engagement was announced 4 January, 2025, between Oliver Roberts, son of Julia Roberts of Swanage, Dorset and Halil Akin of Babaeski, Turkey, and Henrietta Meriel Talbot (born 16 April, 1995), kin of the Earls of Shrewsbury and descended from the Earls Talbot, daughter of Charles John Talbot (born 13 Apr, 1947), of Falconhurst, Kent, and his wife the former Nicola Mary Boulton (born 1957).

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Emma Rose De Falbe 1955-2024

 Emma Rose (Rosie) De Falbe, who died 13 December, 2024, aged 69, was a scion of that landed gentry family, of Thundridge House.

She was born 29 June, 1955, daughter of Christian Vigant William De Falbe (1923-2002), and his wife the former (Susannah) Jane Caillard Marriott (1927-2019), descended from the Earls Tempe of Stowe.

She was unmarried.

The 4th Earl Temple of Stowe > Lady Gertrude Temple-Gore-Langton > Evelyn Caillard > Jane Marriott > Rosie De Falbe

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David Francis Abel Smith 1940-2024

 David Francis Abel Smith, who died 25 December, 2024, aged 84, was a scion of that landed gentry family.

He was born 3 February, 1940, son of Brigadier Sir Alexander Abel Smith, KCVO, TD, JP (1904-1980), and his 1st wife, Elizabeth Morgan (who died 1948); and married 18 November, 1982, Lucy Marie Knox, author, historian and arts administrator, daughter of Col. Sir Bryce Knox, KCVO (1916-2013),  and his wife the former Patricia Dunsmuir, by whom he had a daughter, Eliza Violet Daria (born 15 March, 1991).

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Elizabeth Anne Bates (nee Musgrave) (died 2024)

 Elizabeth Anne Bates (nee Musgrave), who died in Northumberland, 25 December, 2024, was a scion of the Musgrave baronets, a daughter of Lt-Col Sir Christopher Norman Musgrave, 6th Baronet, OBE (1892-1956),  and his wife the former Kathleen Chapman (who d 2 May, 1967), and married 1 June, 1955 (div 1980), Thomas Aydon Bates (1926-2014), son of Capt Edward Giles Bates, by whom she had issue, two sons, Giles and Benedict, and four daughters, Annabelle, Belinda, Corinne, and Teresa.

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Baroness Oppenheim-Barnes, PC 1928-2025

 The Baroness Oppenheim-Barnes, PC, who died 1 January, 2025, aged, 96, was a Conservative politician, life peer, and a government minister in the Margaret Thatcher's administration.

She was Conservative MP for Gloucester from 1970 to 1987, and was Minister of State for Consumer Affairs in the Department of Trade between 1979 and 1982. She chaired the National Consumer Council from 1987-89 and was later a vice-president of the National Union of Townswomen’s Guilds and chair of the National Waterways Museum.

She was born Sarah Amelia Viner, 26 July, 1928 (Who's Who 2004 says 26 July 1930), daughter of Mark Viner and his wife, Jeanette. She was raised and educated in Sheffield, where her father founded a steel and cutlery company. She attended Lowther College and worked as a social worker in London before entering politics. She changed her forenames from Sarah Amelia to Sally in 1968.

She married firstly, 1949, Henry M. Oppenheim, a property tycoon (who died in 1980), and married 2ndly, in 1984, John Barnes. She assumed the surname Oppenheim-Barnes, and was raised to the peerage for life in 1989 as Baroness Oppenheim-Barnes, of Gloucester in the County of Gloucestershire. She was sworn of the Privy Council in 1989.

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Susan Margaret Perry (nee Cave-Browne) 1942-2024

Susan Margaret Perry, who died 16 December, 2024, aged 82, was a scion of the Cave-Brown baronets. She was born 24 July, 1942, elder daughter of Brigadier John Raban Cave-Browne (1917-1989), and his wife the former Ulrica Helen Paget-Hoblyn (1920-2011); and married 12 Dec, 1969, Richard Laybourne Perry, son of Lieutenant-Colonel H. St. M. Perry, by whom she issue, a son, Nicholas and a daughter, Camilla.

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Capt Andrew Henry Clowes 1942-2024

 Capt Andrew Henry Clowes, Scots Guards, sometime equerry to the late HRH The Duke of Gloucester, died 19 December, 2024, aged 82.

He was born 27 Oct, 1942, son of Colonel Sir Henry Nelson Clowes, KCVO, OBE, DSO (1911-1993), and his wife the former Diana Katherine Kerr (1926-2011), scion of the Marquesses of Lothian; and married 8 July, 1968, Georgiana Elizabeth Cavendish (1939-2019), scion of the Dukes of Devonshire, daughter of Richard Edward Osborne Cavendish (1917-1972), and his wife the former Pamela June Thomas (1918-2006), and a sister of the life peer, the Baron Cavendish of Furness (b 2 Nov, 1941).

He served the late Duke of Gloucester as equerry 1966-67.

He leaves issue, a son Richard (Dickon) (b 1971), and a daughter, Emma (b 1975).

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Fennell/Atkins engagement

The engagement was announced 1 January, 2025, between Alexander Theo Felix Fennell (born 1993), eldest son of Adrian Martin Alexander Fennell (born 1 Apr, 1963), of Braydeston, Norfolk, by his wife the former Anna Meriel Gowing (born 1963), and Olivia Kate Atkins (born 1995), daughter of Patrick J. Atkins, of Lodsworth, West Sussex, and his wife the former Vanessa Joy Parton.

Alexander Fennell is descended from the Barons Hawke:-

10th Baron Hawke (1904-1992) > Hon Sarah Hawke (b 1935) > Adrian Fennell (b 1963) > Alexander Fennell (b 1993).

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John Malcolm Wallace

John Malcolm Wallace died 3 December, 2024, aged 94.

The son of Dr Herbert Kelvin Wallace, he married 28 March, 1969, Janet Elisabeth Orr Ewing (born 9 Nov, 1940), scion of the Orr Ewing baronets, daughter of Sir Ronald Archibald Orr Ewing, 5th Baronet (1912-2002), and his wife the former Marion Hester Cameron (1914-1997), scion of the Camerons of Lochiel, by whom he had issue, two sons, Jasper (born 1973), Jocelyn (born 1977), and a daughter, Jemma (born 1971).

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de Laszlo/Francis engagement

 The engagement was announced 1 January, 2025, between William Patrick de Laszlo (born 1979), 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), and Jemima Kate Francis (born 1979), 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 issue, sons, Gabriel Patrick Julian (born 13 March, 2020), and Xander Patrick Damon born 21 May, 2021.

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William Oliver Cabbell Manners (born 2024)

 Olivia Elizabeth Cabbell Manners (nee Curl, born 17 January, 1986), wife of Hugh James Cabbell Manners [born 1993], scion of the Barons Manners, gave birth to a son, William Oliver Cabbell, in 2024, a brother for Pippa Elisabeth, born in in 2022.

Hugh is the younger son of Benjamin Cabbell Manners [born 12 Aug, 1954], of Cromer Hall, Norfolk, and his wife the former Diana Dorothy Elizabeth Gurney, scion of that landed gentry family.

Olivia, also descended from the Gurney family, is the elder daughter of His Honour Philip, of Brisley, Norfolk, and his wife the former Nicola Ruth Gurney [born 25 June, 1953], scion of that landed gentry family.

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Moira Jean Law 1943-2024

Moira Jean Law, who died 29 December, 2024, aged 81, was a scion of the Barons Ellenborough.

She was born 25 November, 1943, daughter of Adrian Augustus Stuart Law (1918-1968), and his wife the former Wilhelmina Noble Angus, and was descended from a younger son of the 1st Baron Ellenborough (1750-1818).

She was unmarried.

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Lord Dunsany has married Laura Dillon

  The marriage took place in 2024 between Randal Plunkett, 21st Baron Dunsany (born 9 March, 1983), son of the late 20th Baron Dunsany (1939-2011), and his wife the former Maria-Alice de Marsillac (nee Villela de Carvalho (who died 9 Apr 2020),  and Laura Dillon.

Lord Dunsany, of Dunsany Castle, Meath, is the holder of a peerage created circa 1439. The peer and his bride have an infant daughter, Constance.

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Matilda Violet Cookson (born 2024)

  The Hon Mary Henrietta Cookson [née Vestey, born 1988], wife of Edward Peter Cooksoon (born 1988), and scion of the Barons Vestey, gave birth to a daughter,  Matilda Violet, in 2024, a sister for Lyra Celia, born 18 November, 2021.

Mary Cookson is a daughter of the late 3rd Baron Vestey, GCVO (1941-2021), of Stowell Park, Gloucestershire, by his second wife the former Celia Elizabeth Knight (1949-2020).

Edward Cookson is a son of Robert Cookson, of Manor Farm, Upper Slaughter, by his wife the former Hon Angela Mary Martyn-Hemphill (born 26 January, 1953), daughter of the 5th Baron Hemphill [1928-2012].

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Hon Dulcie Joy Stopford (born 2024)

 Shona Elizabeth Stopford, styled Viscountess Stopford (nee Pratt), wife of James Richard Ian Montagu Stopford, styled Viscount Stopford (born 30 March, 1988), gave birth to a daughter, the Hon Dulcie Joy, in 2024, a sister for the Hon James Freddie Montagu Stopford, 4 May, 2022.

Viscount Stopford is the son and heir of the 9th Earl of Courtown (born 19 March, 1954), and his wife the former Elizabeth Dunnett.

Viscountess Stopford is the former Shona Elizabeth Pratt (born June, 1992).

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Brooke/Rankin marriage

 The marriage took place in 2024, between Archie Alan John Brooke (born 17 December, 1991), scion of the Viscounts Brookeborough, eldest son of the Hon Christopher Arthur Brooke (born 16 May, 1954), of Colebrooke, and his wife the former Amanda Hodges, and Isobel A. Rankin, daughter of John Rankin of Tortola, British Virgin Islands, and Lesley Rankin of Glastonbury, Somerset.

Archie's father is the younger brother and heir presumptive of the 3rd Viscount Brookeborough, KG (born 30 June, 1952).

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Hon Arielle Sophia Waldegrave (born 2024)

 Daniela-Pesi Waldegrave, styled Viscountess Chewton (nee Tabor Bensadon), wife of Edward Robert Waldegrave, styled Viscount Chewton (born 10 Oct, 1986), gave birth to a daughter, the Hon Arielle Sophia, in 2024.

The Chewtons married in 2023.

Lord Chewton is the son and heir of the 13th Earl Waldegrave (born 8 Dec, 1940), and his former wife the former Mary Alison Anthea Furness,

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Felix Alexander Samuel (born 2024)

 The Hon Drusilla Katharine Anne Samuel [born 1988, nee Bridges], wife of Benjamin Marcus Peter Samuel [born 1989], scion of the Viscounts Bearsted, gave birth to a son, Felix Alexander, in 2024, a brother for Arthur Isaac Louis, who was born 15 April, 2020, and for Beatrice Hebe Rose, born 17 November, 2021. 

The Hon Drusilla Samuel is a daughter of the 3rd Baron Bridges, CVO [born 1954], and his wife the former Angela Margaret Collinson.

Benjamin Samuel is a son of the Hon Michael John Samuel [born 1952], son of the 4th Viscount Bearsted, and his wife the former Julia Aline Guinness [born 1959], scion of the landed gentry arm of the brewing dynasty.

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Casper Wakeford (born 2024)

 Tamara Alexandra Wakeford (nee Bell, born 26 December, 1993), wife of Charles Bertram Wakeford (born 8 May, 1991), gave birth to a son, Casper, in 2024.

Charles Wakeford is a son of Joseph S.C. Wakeford, of Chew Magna, Somerset, and his wife the former Alice Helena Clark (born 1958).

Tamara Wakeford is the elder daughter of Timothy Francis Bell, of Swinbrook, Oxfordshire, and his wife the former Eliza Fitzalan Howard (born 17 November, 1964), scion of the Dukes of Norfolk.

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Audrey Elizabeth Hooper (born 2024)

The Lady Alexandra Victoria Edwina Diana Hooper (b 5 December, 1982) wife of Thomas Edward Huntly Hooper, and scion of the Earls Mountbatten of Burma, gave birth to a daughter, Audrey Elizabeth, in 2024, a sister for Inigo Norton Sebastian Mountbatten Hooper, born 21 December, 2017, and for Alden Peter Theodore Mountbatten Hooper, born 27 March, 2020.

Lady Alexandra is the elder but only surviving daughter of the 3rd Earl Mountbatten of Burma (born 8 October, 1947) of Broadlands, Hampshire, by his wife the former Penelope Meredith Eastwood (born 16  April, 1953).

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh attended the wedding, 25 June, 2016, at Romsey Abbey, of Lady Alexandra and Mr Hooper.  The bride was given in marriage by the Prince of Wales due to the illness of the bride's father.

The late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh stood as godfather to Lord Mountbatten, then Norton Knatchbull, at his christening in 1947.

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Ivo Charles Harbord-Hamond (born 2024)

 The Hon Mrs George Harbord-Hamond (born 1990, nee Lily Sarah Luxmoore-Styles), wife of the Hon George Edward Seymour Harbord-Hamond (b 1991), gave birth to a son, Ivo Charles, in 2024.

George is the second son of the 13th Baron Suffield (b 1956), of Wandsworth, London, by his wife the former Katharine Margaret Lucy Seymour (b 1959), scion of the Marquesses of Hertford.

Lily Harbord-Hamond is a daughter of Roger P. Luxmoore-Styles (b 1962), of Hintlesham, Suffolk, by his wife the former Mary Nainby-Luxmoore (b 1962).

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Ivo Arthur Forbes Adam (born 2024)

Hermione Sylvia A. Forbes Adam (born 1987), wife of [Crispin] Beilby Forbes Adam [born 20 April, 1987], scion of the Adam baronets, gave birth to a son, Ivo Arthur, in 2024.

Beilby Forbes Adam is the son of Charles David Forbes Adam [born 8 Oct, 1957], of Skipwith Hall, North Yorkshire, by his wife the former Rosalind Cecilia Colvile.

Hermione Forbes Adam is the elder daughter of Robert B Hasell-McCosh, of Dalemain, Cumbria, by his wife the former Elizabeth J Halsey.

Ivo Forbes Adam is a great-grandson of Sir Nigel Colin Forbes Adam, 5th Baronet [1930-2022].

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Theodora Wilde Sinclair (born 2024)

Maha Magdalene Sinclair (née Rous), scion of the Earls of Stradbroke, & wife of Archie Sinclair (born 1988), gave birth to a daughter Theodora Wilde, in 2024.

Archie is the younger son of Alan Gordon William Sinclair (born 11 September, 1956), of Adstock, Buckinghamshire, and his wife the former Fiona MacEwan.

Maha Sinclair (born 18 Oct, 1987), is a scion of the Earls of Stradbroke, elder daughter of the Hon John Rous (born 31 July, 1950), of Clovelly, Devon, & his wife the former Zeenat Hameed.

The infant is a descendant of the Earls Fortescue:-

The 6th Earl Fortescue > Lady Bridget Fortescue > Alan Sinclair > Archie Sinclair > Theodora Sinclair

The 5th Earl of Stradbroke > Hon John Rous > Maha Rous > Theodora Sinclair.

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Alexandra Caroline Samuel (born 2024)

 The Hon Stefanie Lia Samuel (born 1989, nee Kohen), wife of the Hon Harry Richard Samuel (born 23 May, 1988), gave birth to a third daughter, Alexandra Caroline, in 2024, a sister for Lily, who was born in 2019, and for Thea Jenny K, born in 2021. 

The Hon Harry Samuel is the son and heir of the 5th Viscount Bearsted (born 22 January, 1950), of Farley Hall, Berkshire, and his wife the former Caroline Jane Sacks.

Stefanie is a daughter of Eli Kohen, of Windsor, Berkshire, by his wife the former Jenny Frances Frederika Knottley (born 1957).

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Stella Marianne B. Prior-Palmer (born 2024)

Elizabeth Rose Prior-Palmer (nee Tyler, born 1988), wife of George Erroll Owen Prior-Palmer [born 1988], scion of that landed gentry family, gave birth to a daughter, Stella Marianne B, in 2024.

George is a son of Simon Erroll Prior-Palmer [born 5 February, 1951], of Appleshaw, Hampshire, and his wife the former Lady Julia Margaret Violet Lloyd George [born 19 May, 1958], and a grandson of the late 3rd Earl Lloyd George of Dwyfor [1924-2010].

Elizabeth is a daughter of Richard M. Tyler, of Aylsham, Norfolk, and his wife the former Griselda Jane More [born 22 June, 1951].

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Arbuthnott/de Marcoartu Basterra engagement

The engagement was announced 30 December, 2024, between Magnus Malcolm James Arbuthnott (born 1989), scion of the Viscounts of Arbuthnott, eldest son of Charles Philip Arbuthnott (born 13 February, 1946), of Caputh, Perthshire, and his wife the former Lindsay Sillars, and Sofia de Marcoartu Basterra, eldest daughter of Señor and Señora Patrik de Marcoartu Basterra, of Bilbao, Spain.

Magnus Arbuthnott is directly descended from the 8th Viscount of Arbuthnott (1778-1860).

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Kaiser/Lechmere engagement

 The engagement was announced 30 December, 2024, between Thomas P.G. Kaiser, younger son of Jean Patrick and Véronique Kaiser, of Paris, France, and Charlotte Grace Elise Lechmere (born  17 January, 1995), the only daughter of Sir Nicholas Anthony Hungerford Lechmere, 8th Baronet (born 24 Apr, 1960), of Hanley Castle, Worcestershire, and Lady Lechmere (nee Caroline Jane Gahan).

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Wren Everard Worsley (born 2024)

 Frances Worsley (née Read), wife of Oliver Worsley (born 23 March, 1990), scion of the Worsley baronets, gave birth to a son, Wren Everard, 23 November, 2024.

Oliver is the second son of Jonathan Hugh Worsley (born 3 Oct, 1960), and his wife the former Laura Pitfield, and a grandson of John Arthington Worsley (1928-2022), and his wife the Hon Carolyn Hardinge (1932-2007), scion of the Viscounts Hardinge.

Oliver Worsley is a great-nephew of HRH The Duchess of Kent, GCVO.

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Samuel Chatto to wed Eleanor Ekserdjian?

Are we going to see another 'royal wedding' perhaps in 2025? Samuel Chatto, is known for his love of pottery and who would much sooner be found in a ceramics studio than a royal event - so it's perhaps no wonder that the grandson of the late Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, has fallen for the charms of a fellow artist, who he has taken with him to the Christmas festivities at Sandringham House this year. 

Since 2021, Samuel Chatto, 28, has been seeing fellow Edinburgh University graduate London-born Eleanor Ekserdjian, who is  an accomplished painter and is not known to have any aristocratic or royal connections.

And with their joint appearance at the regal Norfolk festivities on Christmas Day this year, the happy couple are sure to have sparked engagement rumours, the Daily Mail's Richard Eden has reported.

 His Majesty The King appears to have followed the example of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who permitted Meghan Markle to join the festive gathering in 2017, five months before she exchanged vows with Prince Harry at St George's Chapel, Windsor.

Meghan was the first person to be allowed to spend Christmas at Sandringham before marrying into the Royal Family.

Catherine Middleton, for instance, had to wait until after she became the Duchess of Cambridge in 2011 and Sophie Rhys-Jones did not stay at the 'Big House' before she married Prince Edward in 1999 and became the Countess of Wessex.

Samuel and Eleanor, also 28, are both passionate about their creative ventures. The eldest son of Lady Sarah Chatto, Princess Margaret's only daughter, he completed an apprenticeship in Japan under professional potter Yagi Akira just last year. Eleanor was born in London, on 22 August, 1996.

And his partner is just as ardent about her work, having her pieces held in several private collections including the Redfern Gallery in London. Her parents are also in the field, with her father being renowned art historian Professor David Patrick Martin Ekserdjian (born 28 Oct, 1955), who has been married since 1990 to Financial Times Art critic Susan Pauline Moore (born Leeds, West Yorkshire, July, 1958). 

Prof Ekserdjian is Professor of History of Art and Film at the University of Leicester, focusing particularly on the art of the Italian Renaissance. He was born in the week that Princess Margaret announced her intention not to marry Group Capt Peter Townsend.

He is a Trustee of Art UK as well as the Sir John Soane's Museum. The academic was also once a Trustee of the National Gallery and of Tate.

Eleanor herself has also completed residencies at the Hauser & Wirth Residency in Braemar and the Sokyo Gallery in Kyoto, Japan.

According to her website, Eleanor is 'an abstract painter and film artist' whose practice 'involves projecting the moving image onto paper or canvas and drawing from and over it, her physical and emotional responses being made visible through rapid mark-making'.

Her most recent project explored 'cultural memory through landscape' and was created while she was at a six-week artist residency in Armenia.

A lot of her work is focused around the West Asian country's diaspora, especially works from last year. Eleanor has a brother, Alexander, also born in Westminster, in 1993.

Alexander Ekserdjian is a historian of ancient Mediterranean art with a specialisation in the sculpture of Hellenistic Central Italy. His research focuses on ancient responses to visual art, particularly the role played by sculpted images of the gods in religious experience. He is interested in the theology and anthropology of sacred sculpture, and the ways material culture can contribute to the study of Roman religion. Projects in progress include a monograph centred on the representation of the gods in Central Italy in the early period of Roman overseas expansion (3rd-1st centuries BCE), an article on lists of art objects inscribed in stone within Greek sanctuaries, and a study on the modern reception of ancient votive body parts, as well as chapters on experimentation in Central Italian pedimental sculpture and on the ‘limits’ of Etruscan art.

Before joining Yale (where he is appointed in Classics as well as History of Art), Ekserdjian read Classical Archaeology and Ancient History at St John’s College, Oxford and earned a Ph.D. in Art History and Archaeology from Columbia University. His research has been supported by fellowships at Columbia and the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. He has also participated in archaeological excavations in Italy and the UK, most recently as a member of the Advanced Program in Ancient History and Art (APAHA) team at Hadrian’s Villa, Tivoli.

Eleanor is a niece of the late barrister Angus Ekserdjian (1948-1989), and a granddaughter of Colonel Nubar Martin Ekserdjian, TA, TD (1913-1967), economist, of Knaphill, Surrey, of Armenian ancestry, and his wife the former Mabel Brown Angus (1917-2003), daughter of George Angus, steel maker, of Motherwell, Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Colonel Ekserdjian had a distinguished army career. The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, took pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit, in the Degree of Officer to Colonel Nubar Martin Ekserdiian, British Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from July 1943 to November 1944.

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Berkeley/McEvoy engagement

 The engagement was announced 28 December, 2024, between Anthony Basil Berkeley (born 1994), scion of that landed gentry family, younger son of Giles Robert Berkeley (born 19 January, 1959), of Ramsdean, Hampshire and his wife the former Alexandra Louise Love, & Anna M. McEvoy, elder daughter of Mr & Mrs David McEvoy, of Melbourne, Australia.

The Berkeleys of Spetchley are an ancient family, descended from Thomas Berkeley, fourth son of the 6th and 1st Lord Berkeley, by his second wife Isabel Mowbray, daughter and co-heir of Thomas Mowbray, 1st Duke of Norfolk.

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Brigid, Lady McEwen (died 2024)

 Brigid, Lady McEwen, who died 23 December, 2024, aged 90, was the widow of Sir Robert (Robin)  McEwen of Marchmont & Bardrochat, 3rd Baronet.

She was the former Brigid Cecilia Laver, daughter of James Laver, CBE, FRSL (1899-1975), of Blackheath, London and his wife the former Bridget Veronica Turley (1899-1971); and married 18 September, 1954, Robert Lindley McEwen (born 23 June, 1926), second son of Sir John Helias Finnie McEwen of Marchmont and Bardrochat, 1st Baronet (1894-1962), and is wife the former Bridget Mary Lindley (died 1971), a granddaughter paternally of Lord Lindley, a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, and a maternal granddaughter of the 13th Lord Lovat.

Her husband was a younger brother of Sir James McEwen, 2nd Baronet (1924-1971), whom he succeeded as third baronet, 2 July, 1971. The 3rd Baronet was an officer in the Grenadier Guards and later a barrister, admitted to the Inner Temple in 1951. He died in 1980.

Lady McEwen was the mother of two sons, Sir James McEwen, 4th Baronet (1960-1983), and Sir John, the 5th Baronet (born 4 Nov, 1965), and four daughters, Mary (b 1956), Catherine (1958-1983), Helena (b 1961), and Isabella (b 1968).

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Sir Thomas Henry Milborne-Swinnerton-Pilkington, 14th Baronet

 Sir Thomas Henry Milborne-Swinnerton-Pilkington, 14th Baronet died 17 December, 2024. He was 90.

He was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Scots Greys, and was sometime chairman of Charente (formerly Charente Steamship Co), and Deputy Chairman of Cluff Mining Ltd. The Old Etonian was Senior Steward of the Jockey Club, 1994-1998.

He was born 10 March, 1934, son of Sir Arthur Milborne-Swinnerton-Pilkington, 13th Baronet (1898-1952), and his wife the former Elizabeth Mary Harrison, eldest of the eight daughters of Maj. John Fenwick Harrison (who died 1966), of King's Walden Bury, Hitchin, Hertfordshire. father, 

He succeeded his father, 24 July, 1952, as 14th baronet. The baronetcy was created Nova Scotia, 1635.

He married 17 November, 1961, Susan Adamson, daughter of Norman Stewart Rushton Adamson, of Durban, South Africa, by whom he had issue, a son, Richard Arthur, and two daughters, Sarah and Joanna. The son, born 4 Sept, 1964, succeeds as 15th baronet.

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Diana Constance Faure Walker 1921-2024

 Diana Constance Faure Walker died 3 December, 2024. She was 103.

She was born Diana Constance Seth-Smith, 3 June, 1921, scion of that landed gentry family, daughter of Major Kenneth Arthur Seth-Smith, of Chesterwood Grange, Haydon Bridge, co. Northumberland, by his first wife Doris Roberta McKergow, only daughter of Lt Col Robert Wilson McKergow OBE, of Twineham Grange, co. Sussex; and married firstly, 2 Sept, 1948 (div 1956), Charles Stewart McDonnell Vane-Tempest (1921-2008), scion of the Marquesses of Londonderry, son of Ernest Charles William Vane-Tempest (1894-1957), and his wife the former Aline Mary Loftus St George (1897-1967); she married 2ndly, 23 January, 1961, Owen Stanley Buckmaster, 2nd Viscount Buckmaster (1890-1974), son of the 1st Viscount Buckmaster, GCVO, PC (1861-1934), and his wife the former Edith Augusta Lewin (who died 1935). Diana's second husband died 25 September, 1974. She married 3rdly, in 1982, Maj. Roderick Edward Faure Walker (1914-2002), head of that landed gentry family, and leaves issue from her first marriage, Charles Vane-Tempest (born 18 Apr, 1950), and Aline Vane-Tempest (born 10 Dec, 1952).

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Brigid Eleanor Shennan 1936-2024

Brigid Eleanor 'Biddy' Shennan died 9 December, 2024, aged 88.

She was born 20 July, 1936, younger daughter of Major Kenneth Gordon Woodbine Shennan, MBE (1893-1971), and his wife the former Lilah Maude Daly (1906-1988), scion of that Irish landed gentry family, and was a twin sister of Maj. Malcolm Shennan, and sister of Clare and David.

Her father was descended from the Woodbine Parish landed gentry family, and her mother was descended from the Barons Dunsandle and Clanconal.

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Penelope Mary Quine (nee Engleheart) 1934-2024

Penelope Mary Quine (nee Engleheart), who died 7 December, 2024, aged 90, was a scion of the Engleheart landed gentry family. She was born 9 February, 1934, the second daughter of Francis Henry Arnold Engleheart (1896-1963), sometime head of that landed gentry family, by his wife the former Filumena Mary Mayne (1900-1983), scion of that landed gentry family, descended from the Barons Clifford of Chudleigh; & married 1960, Hector William Quine (1926-2015), son of Herbert Leigh Quine (1890-1949), and his wife the former Gladys Foster (1889-1934), by whom she had issue, a son, Adrian Francis (b 10 June, 1967), and a daughter, Francesca (b 15 February, 1972).

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George Wilfred Temple Hall (born 13 Nov, 2024)

Harriet Georgina Hall (nee Usborne, born 1991), wife of Patrick W.T. Hall, and scion of the Usborne landed gentry family, gave birth to a son, George Wilfred Temple, 13 November, 2024.

Harriet is the elder daughter of Andrew Thornton Usborne (born 16 September, 1956), of Lincolnshire, by his wife the former Lamorna M.H. Forder.

Patrick Hall is a son of Paul Hall, of Fulham, and his wife Susie.

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Amelia Lily Butterfield Colville (born 2024)

 Olivia Colville (nee Pettit), wife of Alexander Keith Colville [born 1993], gave birth to a daughter, Amelia Lily Butterfield, 22 November, 2024.

Alexander Colville is a son of Mr Jeffrey Rex Colville [born 1956], of Englefield Green, Surrey, and Mrs Colville [nee Price].

Olivia is a daughter of Timothy John Pettit [born 1959], of Godalming, Surrey, and his wife the former Susan J Butterfield.

The infant's aristocratic ancestry:-

George North, 3rd Earl of Guilford > Susan, Baroness North > William North, 11th Baron North > Hon Susan Georgina North > Col. John Sidney North FitzGerald > Georgiana Mary FitzGerald > Timothy John Pettit > Olivia Pettit > Amelia Colville

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Beatrice Florence Elise Westacott (born 13 Dec, 2024)

 Eloise Margaret R. Westacott (nee Cazalet, born 15 Aug, 1991), wife of William Robert Westacott (born 1984), gave birth to a daughter, Beatrice Florence Elise, 13 December, 2024.

William is a son of Christopher Robert Westacott (born 1949), of Frogmore Farm, Berkshire, and his wife the former Rowena Jane Evans (born 1963).

Eloise is a scion of the Cazalet landed family, of Fairlawne, daughter of Peter Charles Grenville Cazalet (born 1959), of Monk Soham, Suffolk, and his wife the former Victoria Jane Perry.

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Laing/Graham-Campbell engagement

 The engagement was announced 21 December, 2024, between Henry Laing, son of Mr and Mrs Rodney Laing, of Great Shelford, Cambridgeshire, and Emily Marguerite Graham-Campbell (born 11 September, 1997), daughter of Robert John Graham-Campbell, 11th of Shirvan (born 14 Aug, 1964), of that Scottish landed gentry family, of Hamilton, Lanarkshire, by his wife, the former Henrietta Heneage (born 1965), scion of that landed gentry family.

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Oliver Dyer-Bennet 1945-2024

 Oliver Dyer-Bennet, who died 13 December, 2024, was a scion of the Dyer baronets, younger brother and heir presumptive to his cousin, Sir David Dyer-Bennet, 17th Baronet.

Dyer-Bennet, of Nevada, United States, was born in 1945, the eldest son of Frederick Dyer-Bennet (1918-1991), and his wife the former Patricia Esther Arndt, and was descended from Sir Thomas Swinnerton Dyer, 9th Baronet (1799-1878). 

His cousin David Dyer-Bennet (born 1954), succeeded his distant cousin, Prof Sir Peter Swinnerton Dyer, 16th Baronet, in the baronetcy (cr 1678), on 26 December, 2018.

He married in 1984, Linda Helen Specht, by whom he had issue, a daughter, Katherine Elise (born 1985), and a son, Colin Wesley Dyer-Bennet (born 1988), now heir pres. to the baronetcy.

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Life peerages: Starmer to nominate dozens of life peers

The prime minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to nominate dozens of new peers to the House of Lords, with a number of former MPs and short-lived ex-Downing Street chief of staff Sue Gray among those set to be honoured.

Former shadow culture secretary Thangam Debbonaire, who lost her Bristol Central seat at the general election, is among those set to receive a peerage, along with Julie Elliott, Lyn Brown and Kevin Brennan – who stood down prior to voters going to the polls in July.

The list also includes Mike Katz, the national chair of the Jewish Labour Movement.

Prior to today’s announcement, Labour had 187 members of the House of Lords, while the Conservatives have 273, the Liberal Democrats 78, 57 from other parties and independents and 184 crossbenchers.

It comes as the Labour government works towards scrapping hereditary peers from the House of Lords, with a manifesto commitment of replacing it altogether with an “alternative second chamber that is more representative of the regions and nations”.

Those nominations:-

Professor Wendy Alexander FRSE – Vice Chair of the British Council, former Member of the Scottish Parliament for Paisley North and previously Labour Leader in the Scottish Parliament.

Sir Brendan Barber – former General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress and former chair of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service.

Luciana Berger – former Member of Parliament for Liverpool Wavertree and current Chair of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance.

Mary Bousted – formerly the Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), and education policy adviser.

Kevin Brennan – former Member of Parliament for Cardiff West and former Minister of State at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Lyn Brown – former Member of Parliament for West Ham and former Shadow Minister.

Dinah Caine OBE CBE – Chair of Camden STEAM, formerly Chair of Goldsmiths University and CEO and Chair of Creative Skillset.

Kay Carberry CBE – former Assistant General Secretary of the British Trades Union Congress (TUC).

Margaret Curran – former Member of Parliament for Glasgow East and formerly Minister within the Scottish Executive.

Thangam Debbonaire – former Member of Parliament for Bristol West and former Shadow Secretary of State.

Julie Elliott – former Member of Parliament for Sunderland Central and former

David Evans – former Labour Party Regional Director, Assistant General Secretary and General Secretary of the Labour Party 2020-2024.

Sue Gray – former Chief of Staff to Prime Minister and former Cabinet Office Second Permanent Secretary.

Theresa Griffin – former Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for North West England.

Anji Hunter – Senior Advisor at Edelman, and former Head of Government Relations in Downing Street.

Carwyn Jones – former Member of the Senedd (MS) for Bridgend and First Minister of Wales.

Mike Katz – National Chair of Jewish Labour Movement and a former Camden Councillor.

Gerard Lemos CMG CBE – Social Policy expert and Chair of English Heritage, Chair of National Savings & Investments (NS&I), and Chair of London Institute of Banking and Finance.

Alison Levitt KC – Master of the Bench of the Inner Temple. Previously Principal Legal Advisor to the Director of Public Prosecutions and a Circuit Judge specialising in serious crime, including rape.

Anne Longfield CBE – Campaigner for children and formerly served as the Children’s Commissioner for England. Founder and Executive Chair of the Centre for Young Lives.

Deborah Mattinson – former Director of Strategy to Sir Keir Starmer. Co-founder of BritainThinks.

Steve McCabe – former Member of Parliament for Birmingham Hall Green and Birmingham Selly Oak, and former Government Whip.

Claude Moraes OBE – former Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for London and chair of the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee.

Wendy Nichols – UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Convenor and Branch Secretary and Labour Councillor.

Simon Pitkeathley – Currently the Chief Executive of Camden Town Unlimited and Euston Town, formerly the Mayor of London’s ‘Champion for Small Business’.

Dame Anne Marie Rafferty DBE FRCN – Professor of nursing policy and former

Dame Anne Marie Rafferty DBE FRCN – Professor of nursing policy and former President of the Royal College of Nursing.

Krish Raval OBE – Founding Director of Faith in Leadership.

Marvin Rees OBE – former Mayor of Bristol and Head of Bristol City Council. Former journalist, voluntary sector manager and NHS public health manager.

Revd Dr Russell David Rook OBE – Partner at the Good Faith Partnership and Anglican priest.

Phil Wilson – former Member of Parliament for Sedgefield, and former Opposition Assistant Whip.

The 7th Baron Carew 1938-2024

 The 7th Baron Carew died 18 December, 2024, aged 86.

Lord Carew, sometime a Captain, Royal Horse Guards, is a former international show jumping rider; Member, Irish Olympic 3-Day Event Team 1968 and 1972; President, Equestrian Federation 1979-84; Chairman, Fédération Equestré International 3-Day Event Committee 1989-97

Patrick Thomas Conolly-Carew was born 6 March, 1938, son of the 6th Baron Carew, CBE (1905-1994), ADC to the Governor of Bermuda 1931-36; served in World War II 1939-45 as Capt and Brevet Maj, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry ; National Chairman, British Legion 1963-66; CBE 1966; British Government Trustee, Irish Sailors' and Soldiers' Land Trust; President, Irish Olympic Horse Society; CStJ, by his wife the former Lady Sylvia Gwendoline Eva Maitland (1913-1991), the only daughter of the 15th Earl of Lauderdale (1891-1953).

He succeeded his father, 27 June, 1994, as 7th Baron Carew (Peerage of Ireland, cr 13 June, 1834), and 7th Baron Carew (cr 9 July, 1838, in the Peerage of the United Kingdom).

He married 30 April, 1962, Celia Mary Cubitt (born 7 December, 1939), scion of the Barons Ashcombe, second daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon Charles Guy Cubitt (1903-1979), and his wife the former Rosamond Mary Edith Cholmeley (1904-1984), scion of the Cholmeley baronets, by whom he had issue, a son, the Hon William Patrick Conolly-Carew (born 27 March, 1973), and three daughters, the Hon Virginia, the Hon Nicola, and the Hon Camila, The son now succeeds to both baronies.

Lady Carew is a cousin of HM Queen Camilla.

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Squadron Leader Christopher Charles Blount, LVO, RAF 1925-2024

Christopher Charles Blount, LVO, RAF, died 18 December, 2024, aged 99.

Blunt, courtier, equerry to Queen Elizabeth II, was a pilot who performed one of the first successful ejections from an inverted plane.

He was born 6 February, 1925, son of Air Vice Marshal Charles Hubert Boulby Blount, CB, OBE, MC, RAF (1893-1940), and his wife the former Beatrice Joan Lempriere (1892-1985); and married 12 November, 1957, the Hon Susan Victoria Cobbold (1933-2021), second daughter of the 1st Baron Cobbold, KG, GCVO, PC, DL (1904-1987), and his wife the former Lady Margaret Hermione Millicent Bulwer-Lytton (1905-2004), daughter of the 2nd Earl of Lytton, KG, GCSI, GCIE, GCStJ, PC, DL (1876-1947), by whom he had two sons, James and Oliver, and two daughters, Catherine and Pamela.

Blount was an equerry to Queen Elizabeth II from 1954 to 1957. He accompanied the Queen on a tour of Nigeria in early 1956 and a state visit to Portugal the following year and enjoyed every minute of his time, especially at Sandringham and Balmoral. A lifelong friend of Princess Margaret, who was known for her admiration of RAF officers, Blount liked to say he was little more than a “spare hand” around the royal household, but was proud to have had the chance to serve the Queen in the early years of her reign.

Christopher Charles Blount was born in London in 1925 to a family that became steeped in flying and service in the RAF. His father, Charles, who had served in the Royal Flying Corps in the First World War and was a founder member of the RAF, went on to become an air vice-marshal. He was killed in a flying accident at Mill Hill in 1940. Blount’s elder brother, John, was shot down in a Spitfire over the island of Texel on the coast of the Netherlands in 1941 and spent the remainder of the war as a PoW. He went on to become an air commodore and was captain of the Queen’s Flight before being killed in a helicopter crash in 1967. Blount’s mother, Beatrice Joan (née Lempriere), was originally from Melbourne in Australia. Her brother-in-law, Frank Debenham, was a geologist on Scott’s ill-fated 1910 Antarctic expedition. Blount,was a relative of the singer James Blunt (who has changed the spelling of his surname).

The Blounts made their home in a Jacobean manor house at Barkway in Hertfordshire and had four children: James is a former diplomat who works in business risk management; Ollie is a retired investment banker; Katie runs an interior design business; and Pammy is a travel journalist. Susan Blount died 14 December, 2021, aged 88.

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Christabel Isabel Mary Scott 1942-2024

 Christabel Isabel Mary Scott (nee Ind), who died at her home in North Yorkshire, aged 82, was a scion of that landed gentry family, and descended from the Marquesses of Sligo.

She was born 2 October, 1942, the elder daughter of Harold Hugh Brodie Ind (1914-1977), and his wife the former Phyllis Marion Alice Browne (1913-2008), scion of the Marquesses of Sligo, and married 21 February, 1970, Wing Cdr Robin Worthington Scott (born 1937),  scion of the landed gentry family of Scott of Dittisham Court, a younger son of Lieutenant-Colonel Claude Worthington Scott, OBE, MC (1907-1978), and his wife the former Beryl Guthe, scion of that North Yorkshire landed family, of Kepwick Hall. Mrs Scott survived her husband by 12 days. He died 6 Dec, 2024.

She leaves issue, two sons, Gervase (born 1971), and Nicholas (born 1972).

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Godfrey Hamilton Bland 1943-2024

 Godfrey Hamilton Bland died 7 December, 2024, aged 81.

He was born 3 July, 1943, the second son of Capt James Frankin McMahon Bland (1905-1984), sometime head of that Irish landed gentry family, and his wife the former Jess Buchan Brodie (1908-1984); and married 5 July, 1969, Olga Mary Hohler (1940-2019), scion of that landed gentry family, daughter of Edward Christopher Hohler (1917-1997), and his wife (Mary Alice Olga Sofia) Jane Lane (1919-2014), daughter of Robert Charlton Lane (1873-1943), and his wife Olga Mary Adelaide FitzGeorge (1877-1928), daughter of Sir Adolphus Augustus Frederick FitzGeorge, KCVO (1846-1922), natural son of HRH Prince George, Duke of Cambridge (1819-1904), cousin of Queen Victoria and grandson of King George III.

He leaves two sons, Richard and Alexander, and a daughter, Olga.

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Belinda Mary Prudence Hodson (née Panton)

 Belinda Mary Prudence Hodson (née Panton) died 7 December, 2024, aged 100.

She was born in 1924, daughter of Colonel Gerald Richard Vivian Panton (1889-1972), and his wife the former Sybil Gertrude Odlum (1893-1984); and married 10 January, 1948, Capt. David Thomas Hodson (born 13 March, 1920, d.     ), son of the Rev. Reginald Victor Hodson (1887-1976), and his wife the former Mary Joanna Hedderwick (1897-1988), by whom she had issue, a son, Andrew, and three daughters, Lucinda, Teresa and Virginia.

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Paul Jonathan Olsen Knight 1966-2024

 Paul Jonathan Olsen Knight died 10 December, 2024, aged 58.

He was born in 1966, son of Peter Knight and his wife the former Shirley Tomlinson; and married in 1992, Caroline Mary Anne Lamb (born 6 June, 1966), scion of the Barons Rochester, 2nd daughter of the Hon Kenneth Henry Lowry Lamb (1923-1995), and his wife the former Elizabeth Anne Saul (1926-2020), by whom he had issue.

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Sally Berry (nee Cairnes) 1942-2024

 Sally Berry died 12 December, 2024, aged 82. She was a descendant of the Croft baronets, and scion of the Cairnes Irish landed family.

She was born Sally Cairnes,  9 November, 1942, third daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel John Elliot Cairnes (1904-k/a 1943), and his wife the former June Jameson. She married 3 December, 1966, Major Anthony Edward Berry, by whom she had a son, Nicholas (born 1 May, 1968), and a daughter, Suzanna Claire (born 19 Feb, 1972).

Sir Herbert Croft, 9th Baronet > Lucy Barbara Croft > John Elliot Cairnes > Sally Cairnes

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John Richard Blatch 1931-2024

 John Richard Batch, who died 11 December, 2024, aged 93, was the husband of the late Baroness Blatch, CBE, PC, sometime Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the House of Lords, who died 31 May, 2005, aged 67.

He was born in 1931, a son of George Henry Blatch (1887-1964), and his wife the former Madeline Mary Whitticom (1901-1953), and married in 1963, Emily May Triggs (born 24 July, 1937), daughter of Stephen Joseph and Sarah Triggs, by whom he had issue, two sons and a daughter.

Baroness Blatch's career: WRAF 1955-59; Ministry of Aviation, 1959-63; Member of the Board of Peterborough Development Corporation, 1984-89; Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, 1981-85; European Economic and Social Committee, 1986-87; Conservative Local National Local Govt Advisory Committee, 1988-92; Baroness in Waiting (Government Whip) House of Lords, 1990; Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Environment, 1990-91; Minister of State, Department of the Environment, 1991-92; Home Office, 1994-97; Opposition front bench spokesman on education and employment, 1997-2000; Deputy Leader of the Opposition House of Lords from 2000; Vice-President, Local Government Assoc., from 2000; Chairman, Anglo-American Community Relations Committee, RAF Alconbury, 1985-91; President, National Benevolent Institution from 1989; Member, Air League Council, from 1998; Member, Air Cadet Council from 1998; Trustee, Dorman Museum Appeal, Middlesbrough, from 1997; Trustee, RAF Museum, from 1998; President, Shakespeare at The George, Huntingdon, from 1995; Patron, Huntingdon Male Voice Choir, from 1997, &c.

Baroness Blatch was appointed CBE in 1983, and sworn of the Privy Council in 1993. She was raised to the peerage (for life) in 1987 as Baroness Blatch, of Hinchingbrooke, in the County of Cambridgeshire.

--

Rev Andrew Alexander Macintosh (died 5 Dec, 2024)

 The Rev Andrew Alexander Macintosh, Fellow of St John's College, Cambridge, former Tutor, Dean and President, died 5 December, 2024, aged 87. 

He was a son of the Rev Felix Macintosh; and married 8 September, 1962, Mary Joan Browning, BEM (born 12 November, 1938), daughter of Colonel George William Browning, OBE, Welsh Guards, and his wife the former Rosemary Sybil Hughes (1909-1995), scion of the Hughes baronets, by whom he had two sons, George (b 1967), Thomas (b 1974), and a daughter, Rachel (b 1964).

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Lyon/Beale engagement

 The engagement was announced 14 December, 2024, between Alastair Sebastian Russell Lyon (born 18 September, 1994), son of Sebastian Lyon, of Fulham, London, and his wife the former Flora Rachel Nicholson (born 18 Oct, 1957), & Molly Annette Beale (born 1996), daughter of Mr and Mrs Jeremy Beale of Harlton, Cambridgeshire.

Alastair Lyon is a descendant of the Meyrick baronets:-

Brig-Gen Sir Frederick Meyrick, 2nd Baronet (1862-1932) > Rachel Eva Meyrick (1905-1995) > Esther Mary Lithgow (1930-2022) > Flora Rachel Nicholson (b 1957) >Alastair Lyon (b 1994)

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Oliver/Arnott engagement

The engagement was announced 14 December, 2024, between Angus Michael Yool Oliver (born 1996), eldest son of Paul James Yool Oliver, of Stoke, Hampshire, and his wife the former Susan Mary (Susie) Millard, & Isabella Anastasia Arnott (born 25 May, 1996), scion of the Arnott baronets, youngest daughter of Stephen John Arnott (born 19 February, 1962), of Aldbourne, Wiltshire, & his wife the former Katherine Jane Keep Thompson.

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Dunne/Fee engagement

The engagement was announced 14 December, 2024, between Ms Matilda Rose (Tilly) Dunne (born 29 June, 1992), scion of that landed gentry family, daughter of Philip Martin Dunne (born 1958), and his wife the former Domenica Margaret Anne Fraser (born 1960), scion of the Barons Lovat, and Ms Helen Fee, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Fee of Corballis, Meath, Ireland.

Tilly Dunne's father, merchant banker Philip Dune, a former army officer, was a friend and companion of Diana, Princess of Wales, who accompanied her to the wedding of the present Duke of Beaufort to Tracy Ward in 1987, and 'he marshalled his considerable forces of charm to entertain Diana on a trip to top skiing resort Klosters in 1987'.

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Alexander Niarchos (born 25 Nov, 2024)

 Darya Alexandrovna [Dasha] Niarchos [nee Zhukova, born 8 June, 1981], wife since 2019 of Stavros Niarchos [born 17 April, 1985], has given birth to a son, Alexander, 25 November, 2024, a brother for Philip and Victoria.

Stavros Niarchos is the son of Philip Niarchos [born 1954], and his former wife Victoria Christina Guinness [born 30 January, 1960], scion of the banking branch of the brewing dynasty, and is a grandson of the Greek shipping billionaire Stavros Niarchos [1909-96]. 

The 3rd Baron Churston [1873-1930] > Hon Joan Yarde-Buller [1908-97] > Patrick Guinness [1931-65] >Victoria Guinness [born 1960] > Stavros Niarchos [b 1985] > Alexander Niarchos [b 2024]

Dasha Zhukova is the former wife of billionaire Roman Abramovich [b 24 Oct, 1966], by whom she has a son, Aaron and a daughter, Leah.

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Jennifer Margaret Smith-Bingham (Died 1 Dec 2024)

 Jennifer Margaret Smith-Bingham (née Carey), died 1 December, 2024.

She was born in 1935, a daughter of Rupert Sausmarez Carey (1904-1981), OBE, of East Hoe Manor, Hambledon, Hampshire, and his wife the former Margaret Stewart Scott, and married 1stly, 28 January, 1960 (div 1967), as his 2nd wife, the Hon Luke Robert White (born 15 March, 1927), son and heir of the 4th Baron Annaly (1885-1970), and his wife Lady Lavinia Emily Spencer (1899-1955), Woman of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, daughter of the 6th Earl Spencer (1857-1922). Her 1st husband succeeded his father 4 May, 1970, as 5th Baron Annaly, and died 30 Sept, 1990. Jennifer married 2ndly, 1967, Charles Arthur Smith-Bingham (1931-2003), scion of that landed gentry family. Her second husband died 1 June, 2003.

From her marriage to the late Lord Annaly she leaves issue, the Hon Doone Patricia (born 16 June, 1961), and the Hon Caroline (born 8 Feb 1963). From her marriage to Smith-Bingham, she leaves two sons, Rupert Charles (born 1969), and Hugo Garland Smith-Bingham (born 1972).

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Major Michael Arbuthnot Leslie Young (1930-2024)

 Maj. Michael Arbuthnot Leslie Young, The Life Guards, died 4 December, 2024, aged 94. He was descended from the Arbuthnot baronets.

He was born 5 November, 1930, the son of Peter Leslie Young (1908-1970), and his first wife the former Pamela Clare Gaitskell (who died 1993); and married 2 April, 1966, Susanna Elizabeth Barclay (born 18 December, 1940), scion of that landed gentry family, daughter of Theodore David Barclay (1906-1981), head of that landed gentry family, and his wife the former Anne Millard Bennett (1912-1996), by whom he had a son, Christopher and daughter, Mary.

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August Timothy Gray (born 4 Dec 2024)

 The Hon Daisy Alicia Wallis Gray (born 1988, nee Bell), wife of Andrew Gray, and daughter of the late life peer the Baron Bell (1941-2019), gave birth to a son, August Timothy, 4 Dec 2024

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Codrington/Kennard engagement

 The engagement was announced 14 December 2024, between Rory Alexander Codrington (born 1992), scion of that landed gentry family, younger son of Stephen Mark Codrington (born 1957), of Brightwalton, Berkshire, and his wife the former Ursula Dawson, and Olivia Eleanor Kennard (born 1993), scion of the Kennard baronets, youngest daughter of  Vivian Adam Mytton Kennard (born 13 Dec, 1958), of Chilfrome, Dorset, and his wife the former Georgina Ames.

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Anne Granville Godfrey-Faussett (died 2024)

 Anne Granville Godfrey-Faussett died at Kelso, 29 November, 2024, aged 85.

She was the former Anne Granville Murray, daughter of Colonel Granville Murray, of Waterside House, Weir, Dumfriesshire, and married 1962, Capt Richard Hugh Godfrey-Faussett (1932-2023), a scion of that landed gentry family, of Heppington, born 28 June, 1932, son of Brigadier Bryan Trevor Godfrey-Faussett, CB, DSO, OBE, MC (1896-1970), and his wife the former Katherine Monica Paterson (1899-1987), he died 11 January, 2023.

Mrs Godfrey-Faussett leaves issue, two sons, Christopher and Matthew and a daughter, Islay.  The elder son Christopher married in 1995, Lady Diana Bowes-Lyon (b 1966), daughter of the 17th Earl of Strathmore & Kinghorne (1928-1987), and a cousin of the King.

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Richard Makepeace Martineau 1938-2024

 Richard Makepeace Martineau, who died 10 December, 2024, aged 86, was a scion of that landed family, of Clapton Court, and a distant cousin of HRH The Princess of Wales, who shares his Martineau ancestry.

He was born in Apr 1938, son of John Edmund Martineau (1904-1982) and his wife the former Catherine Makepeace Thackeray Ritchie (1911-1995); and married 1stly, 1964, Theresa Ashton, by whom he had issue, a son, John (b 1967), and two daughters, Antonia (1969), and Imogen (1976); he married 2ndly, in September, 1981, Diane Calvert (born 7 Oct, 1941), daughter of Major Robert Henry Calvert (1912-1987), of Horsham, Sussex, scion of that landed gentry family, by his wife the former Monica Buxton (1916-2007).

Diane Martineau (nee Calvert) is a kinswoman of HM Queen Camilla, who is of Calvert descent. [The Queen's great grandmother, Lady Ashcombe, wife of of the 2nd Baron Ashcombe was nee Maud Calvert.]

John Martineau = Louisa Adeane > Richard Martineau (1870-1943) = Mary Dorothy Cator (1868-1956) > John Edmund Martineau (1904-1982)> Richard Makepeace Martineau (1938-2024)

The 1st Baron Stanley of Alderley > Hon Matilda Abigail Stanley > Louisa Adeane (as above)

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Lady Lucinda Louise Mackay 1941-2024

 The Lady Lucinda Louise Mackay, who died 25 November, 2024, aged 82, was a scion of the Earls of Inchcape.

She was born 13 December, 1941, daughter of the 3rd Earl of Inchcape (1917-1994), and his first wife, the former Aline Thorn Hannay, widow of F/O Patrick Claude Hannay AAF (ka. 24 May 1940), the only daughter of Sir Richard Arthur Pease, 2nd Baronet., by his first wife Jeannette Thorn Kissel, 2nd daughter of Gustave Edward Kissel, of New York, USA.

She married 1983 (div 1987), David Bogie, Sheriff of Grampian, and later resumed her maiden name.

Lady Lucinda leaves two brother, the 4th Earl of Inchcape (born 23 Jan, 1943), and the Hon James Mackay (born 28 May, 1947), and two half-brothers, the Hon Shane Mackay (born 18 Apr, 1973) and the Hon Ivan Mackay (born 6 May, 1976).

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Morrison/Sharp engagement

 The engagement was announced 12 December, 2024, between Edward Guy J. Morrison (born 1990), descended from the Faber landed family, of Ampfield House, son of Guy Martin James Morrison (born 1957), of Evancoyd, Powys, by his 2nd wife the former Penelope A. Mackenzie, and Olivia L. Sharp, younger daughter of Mr & Mrs Robert Sharp, of Heriot, Scottish Borders.

Edward's father Guy married firstly, 24 Sept, 1983 (div 1987), the Hon Charlotte Anne Monckton (born 16 Apr, 1955), daughter of the 9th Viscount Galway (1929-71), and his heiress wife the Lady Theresa Jane Fox-Strangways (1932-89), daughter of the 7th Earl of Ilchester (1905-1964). He married Penelope Mackenzie in 1988.

Thomas Henry Faber (b 1860-1922) > Aileen Coppard Faber (1896-1972) > Martin John Faber Morrison (1923-2004) > Guy Martin James Morrison (b 1957) > Edward Morrison (b 1990)

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Lord Edward Alexander Somerset 1958-2024

 Lord Edward Somerset, who died 4 December, 2024, aged 66, was a scion of the Dukes of Beaufort.

Edward Alexander Somerset was born 1 May, 1958, the second son of the 11th Duke of Beaufort (1928-2017), and his first wife the Lady Caroline Jane Thynne (1928-1995), daughter of the 6th Marquess of Bath (1905-1992); and married 2 Oct, 1982 (div.), the Hon (Georgina) Caroline Davidson (born 16 May, 1958), eldest daughter of the 2nd Viscount Davidson (1928-2012), and his 1st wife the former Margaret Birgitta Norton, by whom he had issue, two daughters, Francesca and Rose.

In 2014 Lord Edward was jailed for a series of assaults on his wife over a period of two decades. He was sentenced to two years by a judge at Bristol Crown Court after he admitted four counts of causing actual bodily harm to his wife, Caroline. After the case Det Sgt Simon Brickwood from Avon and Somerset Police public protection unit said: “Domestic abuse affects people of in all walks of lives, regardless of their background or personal circumstances. “It is very often a hidden crime with victims unable to speak out and friends and loved ones unaware of what is going on behind closed doors. “In this case, Lord Somerset (sic) subjected his wife to a series of violent and aggressive acts which saw her punched and kicked on several occasions, resulting in some permanent injuries.” He added: “I hope victims of domestic abuse are able to use this successful conviction as a catalyst to report offences to us. Don’t endure a life sentence of suffering – pick up the phone and speak to us.” The court heard some of the attacks, which included him kicking, punching and dragging her by her hair, happened at the couple’s home on the Badminton estate between 1990 and 2012. A police investigation was launched when she was admitted to hospital in October 2012 with injuries to her ribs. Senior Crown Prosecutor Rob Allen said: “On account of her loyalty to her husband and family, Lady Caroline (sic) suffered in silence for many years. It took a phone call from concerned medical staff at a Bristol hospital following the most recent incident for the abuse to finally be brought to the attention of the police.” “This case is a reminder that domestic violence permeates all sections of our society. It also highlights the devastating consequences that this type of abuse has on victims and their families,” he said. “Despite record conviction rates more than one woman per week is killed by a current or former male partner.

The funeral takes place 19 December and the Church of St Michael and All Angels, Badminton, close to the family seat at Badminton House.

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Pearson/Phillpotts engagement

 The engagement was announced 11 December, 2024, between Hamish Arthur L. Pearson (born 1995), son of Mr & Mrs Nicholas Pearson, of High Littleton, Somerset, and Lara Georgina Windham Phillpotts (born 21 April, 1995), daughter of Simon Vivian Surtees Phillpotts, of Dorstone, Herefordshire, and his wife the former Emma Rose Dymock Windham (born 6 March, 1959), scion of that landed gentry family, descended from the Dukes of Bedford.

The 6th Duke of Bedford (1766-1839) > Lord Charles Russell (1807-1894) > Clarissa Russell (d 1908) > Lt-Col Henry Windham (1873-1958) > William Windham (1926-2021) > Emma Windham (b 1959) > Lara Phillpotts (b 1995)

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Mary Ann Campbell of Airds (nee Campbell-Preston) 1940-2024

 Mary Ann Campbell of Airds, who died 4 December, 2024, aged 84, was the widow of Alastair Lorne Campbell (1937-2022), 13th of Airds, head of that Scots landed gentry family.

She was born in 1940, elder daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel George Patrick Campbell-Preston, MBE, DL (1911-1960), of that Scots landed family, by his wife Dame Frances Olivia Campbell-Preston, DCVO (1918-2022). His mother, who died at the age of 104, was one of the last witnesses to a vanished age. Not only was she Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s oldest surviving lady-in-waiting – she served Queen Elizabeth from 1965 until her death in 2002. She was also Joyce Grenfell’s sister-in-law, and her late husband, Patrick Campbell-Preston, was in Colditz with Douglas Bader. It was in 1965 that she was suddenly asked to be a Woman of the Bedchamber – or a lady-in-waiting – to the Queen Mother by Sir Martin Gilliat, Patrick Campbell-Preston’s fellow prisoner-of-war, who became the Queen Mother’s Private Secretary. 

She married 18 September, 1960, Alastair Lorne Campbell (born 11 July, 1937), son of Brigadier Lorne Maclaine Campbell of Airds, VC (1902-1991), and his wife the former Amy Muriel Jordan Campbell (1905-1950). Her husband succeeded his father as head of that old Scots landed family, 25 May, 1991, and was a former Scottish officer of arms and author. Campbell of Airds was appointed Unicorn Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary in 1987. In 2008, he was appointed Islay Herald Extraordinary. As an active member of the Highland Society of London, Airds published a short history of the society in 1978. He was also author of several books on the history of Clan Campbell. He died 10 November, 2022, aged 85.

Mrs Campbell of Airds leaves issue, three sons, Hugh, John and James, and a daughter, Lucy.

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The Baron Lloyd of Berwick, PC, DL 1929-2024

 The Baron Lloyd of Berwick, PC, DL, who died 8 December, 2024, aged 95, was a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, and a life peer.

Anthony John Leslie Lloyd was born 9 May, 1929, the son of John Edward Boydell Lloyd (who died 1987), and his wife the former Leslie Johnston Fleming (1900-1965), and was educated at Eton.

He served in the Coldstream Guards (1948); Fellow of Peterhouse (1953) (Hon Fellow, 1981), Fellow of Eton 1974-86; Called to the Bar at the Inner Temple (1955) (Bencher, Inner Temple, 1976, Treasurer, Inner Temple, 1999); QC (1967); Attorney-General to HM King Charles III (when Prince of Wales) 1969-77; Judge of the High Court of Justice, Queen's Bench Division, 1978-84; a Lord Justice of Appeal, 1984-93; Vice-Chairman of the Parole Board 1984-85; Member, Criminal Law Revision Committee (1981); Chairman of the Sussex Association for the Rehabilitation of Offenders, 1985-91; President, the Sussex Downsmen (1995), Vice-Pres, Maritime Law Association; Member, Top Salaries Review Board 1971-77; Chairman, Joint Ecclesiastical Committee from 2003; a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, 1993-99; Chairman of the Security Commission, 1992-99; &c.

He was knighted in 1978, sworn of the Privy Council in 1984; raised to the peerage for life in 1993, as Baron Lloyd of Berwick, of Ludlay in the County of East Sussex,

He married in 1960, Jane Helen Violet Shelford (born 1935), daughter of Cornelius William Shelford (1908-2001), of Chailey Place, Lewes, Sussex, by his wife the former Helen Beatrice Hilda Schuster (born 1910).

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Lady Leonora Eliza Cressida Spencer-Churchill (born 7 Dec 2024)

  The Marchioness of Blandford (nee Camilla Elizabeth Antonia Thorp, born 1987), wife of George John Godolphin Spencer-Churchill, styled Marquess of Blandford (born 28 July, 1992), son and heir of the 12th Duke of Marlborough (born 24 Nov, 1955), of Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, by his former first wife Rebecca Mary Few Brown, gave birth to a second daughter, the Lady Leonora Eliza Cressida Spencer-Churchill, 7 December, 2024, a sister for Lady Olympia Arabella Kitty Spencer-Churchill, who was born 10 September, 2020.

The Marchioness of Blandford is the eldest daughter of James Nicholas Thorp, by his wife the former Philippa Clare Thomas, and is a great niece of the actor, Richard Thorp [1932-2013], who appeared for many years as Alan Turner in the long running soap, Emmerdale.

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Wing Commander Robin Worthington Scott 1937-2024

 Wing Cdr Robin Worthington Scott died 6 December, 2024, aged 86.

He was a scion of the landed gentry family of Scott of Dittisham Court, a younger son of Lieutenant-Colonel Claude Worthington Scott, OBE, MC (1907-1978), and his wife the former Beryl Guthe, scion of that North Yorkshire landed family, of Kepwick Hall.

He married 21 February, 1970, Christabel Isabel Mary Ind (born 2 Oct, 1942), scion of that landed gentry family, daughter of Harold Hugh Brodie Ind (1914-1977), and his wife the former Phyllis Marion Alice Browne (1913-2008), scion of the Marquesses of Sligo, by whom he had issue, two sons, Gervase (born 1971), and Nicholas (born 1972).

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Edmond Francis Dorset Fellowes 1935-2024

 Edmond Francis Dorset Fellowes died 3 December, 2024, aged 89. He was a scion of that landed family, of Court Hall.

He was born in 1935, son of Thomas Balfour Fellowes (1891-1974) and his wife the former Anne Evelyn Frances Twysden (1898-1987), scion of the Twysden baronets; and married in 1972, as her second husband, Patricia Margaret Daisy Onslow (born 23 May, 1941), scion of the Onslow baronets, former wife of Christopher Mackenzie Kennedy, and daughter of Douglas Arthur George Onslow (1901-1966), by his wife the former Margaret Forbes Kilgour Rayner (died 1985).

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Fraser/Gillespie marriage

   The marriage took place, 11 October, 2024, between the Hon Alexander William Malise Fraser, Master of Saltoun (born 5 July, 1990), the only son of Capt Mark Malise Nicolson (born 24 Sept, 1954), of Cairnbulg Castle, Fraserburgh, by his wife Katharine Ingrid Mary Isabel Fraser, Lady Saltoun (born 11 Oct, 1957), and Chloe S. Gillespie, 27, the only daughter of Mr John Davies Gillespie, of Harrison, New York, and Ms Andrea Varrell Borden, of Barrington, Rhode Island.

 Xander Fraser is a descendant of Queen Victoria:-

Queen Victoria (1819-1901) > Prince Arthur Duke of Connaught (1850-1942) > Princess Patricia of Connaught (1886-1974) > Capt Alexander Ramsay of Mar (1919-2000) > The Lady Saltoun (b 1957) > Hon Alexander Fraser (b 1990)

The bride-to-be's mother, Andrea Varrell Borden, married John Davies Gillespie, on 18 June, 1989, at North Stonington, Connecticut. Mr Gillespie is a son of George J. Gillespie III, a US lawyer. They divorced in 2019. 

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Alfred Robert Archibald Jackson (born 8 Nov, 2024)

Lucinda Jackson (nee Alderson), wife of George Edward Stainton Jackson (born 1990), gave birth to a second son, Alfred Robert Archibald, 8 Nov, 2024, a brother for William Alexander Edward, who was born 25 May, 2023.

George Jackson is the eldest son of Hugo Edward Stainton Jackson (born Nov 1960), and his wife the former Serena Jane Birkmyre (born 17 June, 1960), second daughter of Sir Archibald Birkmyre, 3rd Baronet (1923-2001).

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James Roland Fleming 1944-2024

 James Roland Fleming, who died 22 November, 2024, aged 89, was a scion of the Fleming landed gentry family, of Nettlebed, co Oxford, and cousin of the James Bond creator Ian Fleming.

James Fleming was a novelist, publisher, editor, farmer and forester in Gloucestershire and Caithness.

He was born 26 February, 1944, the eldest son of Maj. Richard Evelyn Fleming (1910-1977), and his wife the former Hon Dorothy Charmian Hermon-Hodge (1913-2001), daughter of the 2nd Baron Wyfold (1880-1942), and his wife, Dorothy Fleming (who died 1976).

He married in 1975, Kathryn Alice (Kate) Rooksby, by whom he had two sons, Christian (born 1977), and Thomas (born 1980).

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Rory Ivo Sebastian Hill (born 11 Nov 2024)

Edwina Lavender (Teddy) Hill (nee Wolstenholme, born 1991), wife of Harry S.H. Hill, gave birth to a son, Rory Ivo Sebastian, 11 November, 2024.

Harry Hill is the elder son of Mr Simon Hill, of Clapham, London, and Mrs Mark Lawson-Statham, of Burcot, Oxfordshire.

Teddy Hill is the younger daughter of [Anthony] Richard Ashmore Wolstenholme [born 1956], of Thompson, Norfolk, and his wife the former Katharine Juliet Garnier [born 16 Oct, 1958].

Some of Rory Hill's aristocratic ancestry:-

The 8th Baron Walsingham [1884-1965] > Hon Lavender de Grey [1923-2010] > Katharine Garnier [b 1958] > Edwina Wolstenholme [b 1991] > Rory Hill (b 2024)

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Ottilie Elaine Frances Styles (born 19 Oct 2024)

  Isabella Styles [née Onslow, born 1990], wife of David Kristian Styles [born 1978], gave birth to a daughter, Ottilie Elaine Frances, 19 Oct, 2024, a sister for Ophelia Emily Phyllida, who was born 22 January, 2022.

Isabella is a scion of the of Onslow baronets, daughter of the Hon Richard Alan Douglas Onslow (born 1956), of Tarrant Gunville, Dorset, by his late wife the former Phyllida K. Moore, and a granddaughter of Cranley Onslow (d 2001), sometime Conservative MP for Woking, and a Minister of State, Foreign Office in the Thatcher administration, who was created a life peer as Baron Onslow of Woking, in 1997. Cranley Onslow married Lady June Hay, a daughter of the 14th Earl of Kinnoull.

David Styles is a son of Mr & Mrs Christopher Styles, of Sixpenny Handley, Dorset.

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Roy/Bampfylde engagement

 The engagement was announced 7 December, 2024, between Capt Jamie Paul Roy (born 1993), Irish Guards, son of Paul D. Roy, of Windlesham, Surrey, and his wife the former Susan Elkies, and Camilla Rose (Millie) Bampfylde (born 1994), scion of the Barons Poltimore, daughter of Richard Ian David Bampfylde (born 3 July, 1953), of Inkpen, Berkshire, and his 2nd wife the former Charlotte Mary Christian (born 12 Apr, 1957).

Millie Bampfylde is a great-granddaughter of the 6th Baron Poltimore (1888-1978).

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Elston/Mountain engagement

 The engagement was announced 7 December, 2024, between Edward James B. Elston (born 1992), eldest son of Mr Howard J. Elston (born 1954), of Netton, Wiltshire, and his former wife, Mrs Ed Mead (nee Briony Jago born 1961), of Ibberton, Dorset, and Camilla Margaret (Millie) Mountain (born 1 April, 1993), daughter of Sir Edward Brian Stanford Mountain, 4th Baronet (born 19 March, 1961), of Delfur, Moray, and his wife the former Charlotte Sarah Jesson Pownall.

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Benjamin Guy Dudley Ryder 1934-2024

 Benjamin Guy Dudley Ryder, who died 27 November, 2024, aged 90, was a scion of the Earls of Harrowby.

He was born 19 May, 1934, eldest son (twin with his brother James) of Major Dudley Claud Douglas Dudley Ryder (1901-1986), and his first wife the former Nancy Edith Baker (later wife of Lord Ronald Graham, a younger son of the 6th Duke of Montrose. She died 1985). 

He was descended paternally from the 1st Earl of Harrowby (1762-1847).

He married 8 Oct, 1960, Philippa Mary Cunningham, daughter of Alan Maitland Cunningham, by whom he had issue, two sons, Douglas and Guy, and a daughter, Vanessa.

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Lady Gow 1925-2024

 Lady Gow, who died 1 December, 2024, aged 99, was the widow of General Sir (James) Michael Gow, GCB (1924-2013), and a scion of the Scott baronets of Beauclerc.

Lady Gow (née Scott), was born 12 March, 1925, as Jane Emily Scott, the eldest daughter of Capt Mason Hogarth Scott, RN (1900-1971), and his wife the Hon Irene Florence Seely (1902-1977), daughter of John Edward Bernard Seely, the 1st Baron Mottistone, CB, CMG, DSO, TD, PC, DL (1868-1947).

Her father was a paternal grandson of Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet (1826-1910), the building contractor and publisher. Based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Scott began his profession as a mason, before setting up his own building firm, completing many major architectural projects in the North East of England and notable railway stations in London. His publishing house, Walter Scott Publishing Co. brought classic literature to the masses for a low price.

Jane Scott married 3 Oct, 1946, James Michael Gow (born 3 June, 1924), son of J.C. Gow, of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, and a great-grandson of the artist James Gow. Her husband commanded the British Army of the Rhine, and served as equerry to Field Marshal HRH The Duke of Gloucester, which gave him the savoir faire of the Royal Household, a valuable asset for a Guards officer, he became regimental adjutant of the Scots Guards (1957-60), &c. Michael Gow died 26 March, 2013.

Lady Gow leaves issue, a son, Roderick, and four daughters, Susan, Anna, Belinda, and Clunie.

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Sebastian Charles Robertson Bullough (born 18 Nov 2024)

 Carinthia Alexandra Bullough (nee Pearson, born 1993), wife of Finèan Mark Aidan Robertson Bullough [born 4 January, 1992], gave birth to a son, Sebastian Charles Robertson, 18 November, 2024.

Finèan is a son of Mark Bullough [born 1955], of Clapton Court, near Crewkerne, Somerset, by his wife the former Suzannah Frances [Suzi] Moynahan.

Carinthia is a scion of the Viscounts Cowdray, daughter of the Hon Charles Anthony Pearson [born 5 March, 1956], of Pitshill, Tillington, West Sussex, and his wife the former Benedicte Iuul, and a granddaughter paternally of the 3rd Viscount Cowdray [1910-95].

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Macklin/Wauchope engagement

 The engagement was announced 5 December, 2024, between Max Michael Macklin (born 1995), son of Mr William Henry Macklin (born 1967), of Little London, Hampshire, and Mrs Samantha Louise Bryant (nee Hawker, born 1968), of Padworth Common, Berkshire, and Lydia Anne Wauchope (born 1997), daughter of Maj. Francis Alasdair Wauchope (born 22 February, 1959), of Frilsham, Berkshire, and his wife the former Jessica Rosemary Hudson (born 1963).

Sir William Gull, 2nd Baronet (1860-1922) > Dorothea Susan Gull (1897-1980) > Susan Anne Knollys (1927-2018) > Jessica Rosemary Hudson (b 1963) > Lydia Wauchope

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Beatrice Amelia Joy Davey (born 25 Nov 2024)

  (Lucinda) Joy Davey (née Bristow, born 1989), wife of Alexander George D. Davey (born 1987), gave birth to a daughter, Beatrice Amelia Joy, 25 November, 2024, a sister for Arabella Olivia Joy (born 2020), and for Araminta Maisie Joy (born 1 Oct, 2022).

Alex Davey is a son of Francis Conway Davey (born 1957), of Hascombe, Surrey, and his wife the former Caryl Anne Claire Eastick (born 1958).

(Lucinda) Joy Davey is a daughter of George Edward Fitzroy Bristow (born 18 Sept, 1961), a grandson of the 2nd Baron Luke, and his wife the former Juliet Joy Knocker.

The 2nd Baron Luke (1905-96) > Hon Caroline Lawson Johnston (b 1935) >  George Bristow (b 1961) > Lucinda Joy Bristow > Beatrice Davey (b 2024)

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Sebastian Charles Robertson Bullough (born 18 Nov 2024)

Carinthia Alexandra Bullough (nee Pearson, born 1993), wife of Finèan Mark Aidan Robertson Bullough [born 4 January, 1992], gave birth to a son, Sebastian Charles Robertson Bullough, 18 November, 2024.

Carinthia is a scion of the Viscounts Cowdray, daughter of the Hon Charles Anthony Pearson [born 5 March, 1956], of Pitshill, Tillington, West Sussex, and his wife the former Benedicte Iuul, and is a granddaughter paternally of the 3rd Viscount Cowdray [1910-95].

Finèan is a son of Mark Bullough [born 1955], of Clapton Court, near Crewkerne, Somerset, by his wife the former Suzannah Frances [Suzi] Moynahan.

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Sally Patricia Villiers 1945-2024

 Sally Patricia Villiers, who died 1 December, 2024, aged 79, was the wife of Charles Nigel Villers,s cion of the Earls of Clarendon.

She was Sally Patricia Magnay, born at Windsor, in 1945, daughter of Capt David Magnay (1902-1968), and his wife the former Kathleen Maud Woods (1899-1993); and married 1970, Charles Nigel Villiers (born 25 January, 1941), son of Capt Robert Alexander Villiers, CBE (1908-1990), and his wife the former Elizabeth Mary Friend (who died 1985), and she leaves a son Christopher (born 1976), and a daughter, Caroline (born 1974).

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Philip Edward d'Abo 1941-2024

 Philip Edward d'Abo, who died 19 November, 2024, aged 83, was a scion of that landed gentry family.

He was born 19 June, 1941, the eldest son of Major Edward Nassau Nicolai d'Abo (1914-2003), and his wife the former Dorothy Primrose Harbord (1919-2011), scion of the Barons Suffield, descended from the 3rd Baron; and married in 1972, Fay Mary St Claire Barbour, daughter of William Barbour, by whom he had issue, two daughters, Camilla (born 1973), and Lucy (born 1977).

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