Peerage for Zac Goldsmith confirmed

_. The Rt Hon Zac Goldsmith has been confirmed as a Minister of State (unpaid) at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department for International Development.

'The Queen has been pleased to signify Her intention of conferring a peerage of the United Kingdom for Life on Zac Goldsmith.' 

Goldsmith was Conservative MP for Richmond Park 2010-2019.

Zacharias Frank Goldsmith was born on 20 January 1975, a son of the late Sir James Michael Goldsmith [1933-97], by his wife the former Lady Annabel Vane-Tempest-Stewart [born 13 June, 1934]. daughter of the 8th Marquess of Londonderry [1902-55].

He married, firstly, 5 June, 1999, Sheherazade Ventura-Bentley [born 14 March, 1974], daughter of John Ransome Bentley and actress Vivienne Ventura, by whom he has a son, and two daughters; married secondly, 15 March, 2013, Alice Miranda Rothschild [born 29 November, 1983], scion of the Barons Rothschild, daughter of the late Hon Amschel Mayor James Rothschild [1955-96], by his wife the former Anita Patience Guinness [born 7 December, 1957], scion of the merchant banking branch of the Guinness brewing dynasty, by whom he has a son and two daughters.

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Archie Mountbatten-Windsor really is Lord Archie, says peerage expert

Patrick Cracroft-Brennan, editor of Cracroft's Peerage and one of the UK's leading experts in peerage law, in a recent addition to Cracroft Peerage's entry on the Dukedom of Sussex writes:
'The Duke and Duchess of Sussex issued a statement shortly after their son's birth that he would not bear any courtesy titles, and would be known as "Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor".  This is a complete break with tradition and with the laws governing peerages.  Until such time as this is confirmed by a Royal Warrant we will continue to refer to him as the Earl of Dumbarton'.

He was, as son of a duke, BORN with the rank of a duke of in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, and is legally 'Lord Archie' Mountbatten-Windsor.

It was expected that Archie would be styled as Earl of Dumbarton, which is Prince Harry's earldom, created with the Dukedom of Sussex and Barony of Kilkeel in May, 2018.

A Palace statement announced that no courtesy titles would be borne by the seventh in line to the throne, and that he will be KNOWN as Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.

It will be interesting to see how the College of Arms handles the case of 'Master' Mountbatten-Windsor. The eldest son of a duke by custom uses one of his father's peerages as a 'courtesy' title, but like his younger brothers he is also 'Lord' [Christian name] Surname, and was born so, and will be recorded as such at the College of Arms.

In cases where a person succeeds to a peerage from a cousin or relation other than a parent then the siblings of that new peer do not automatically assume courtesy titles, and apply to the Crown to be so granted. Claims are reviewed and when approved the Crown Office issues the following:
'Her Majesty has been graciously pleased by Warrant under her Royal Signet and Sign Manual bearing the date …. to ordain and declare that …..(name of person seeking courtesy title) .. shall henceforth have, hold and enjoy the same title, rank, place, pre-eminence and precedence as the children of a ….Duke/Marquess/Earl/Viscount/Baron... as would have been due to them had their father … (his name)… succeeded to the title and dignity of Duke of …….and to command that the said Royal Concession and Declaration be recorded in Her Majesty's College of Arms.'

Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, being born the son of Duke, was born Lord Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor as a legal entity. The 'courtesy' title Earl of Dumbarton may have been declared withheld or not to be used, but on legal documents will the Queen's latest great-grandchild be named as Lord Archie? My mole in the College of Arms certainly thinks so.

George Anthony Vere-Laurie 1963-2019

_. George Anthony Vere-Laurie, who died 15 December, 2019, aged 56, was descended from the Viscounts Massereene. He was born 6 May, 1963, son of George Edward Vere-Laurie [b 3 Sept, 1935], by his first wife the former Georgina Nefert Riall [born 11 Apr, 1942], scion of that landed gentry family of Conna Hill.

His grandfather Lt-Col George Haliburton Foster Peel Vere-Laurie [1906-81], was son of Lt-Col George Brenton Laurie, by his wife the former Florence Clementina Skeffington [1873-1978], scion of the Viscounts Massereene.

His aunt, Lady Mary Fagan, LG [Lady of the Order of the Garter], DCVO, born in 1939, is a former Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire.

George Vere-Laurie married Eva, and was father of Jorge and Isabel.

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Hon John William Blackstock Butterworth 1952-2019

_. The Hon John William Blackstock Butterworth, who died 16 December, 2019, aged 67, was the son of the life peer Baron Butterworth [1918-2003], by his wife the former Doris Crawford Elder.

His father, managing trustee of the Nuffield Foundation, was created a life peer in 1985, and died 19 June, 2003.

The funeral takes place at All Saints' Church, Pocklington, York, 6 January, 2020.

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Hay/Weguelin engagement

_. The engagement was announced 19 December, 2019, between Matthew John Claud Hay [born 1990], son of Stephen John Hay, of Bonhard, Perthshire, by his wife the former Charlotte Mary Proby [born 27 May, 1957], scion of the Proby baronets, & Anna L. Weguelin, daughter of Mr & Mrs David Weguelin, of Battersea, London.

Matthew Hay is a grandson maternally of Sir Peter Proby, 2nd Baronet [1911-2002].

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Wigram/Barton engagement

_. The engagement was announced 18 December, 2019, between the Hon William Michael Clive Wigram [born 3 January, 1984], third and youngest son of the 3rd Baron Wigram, MVO [born 18 March, 1949], of Hampshire, by his former wife the former Gabriella Diana Moore [now Mrs Gabrielle Radford, of Gloucestershire], & Lily Barton, daughter of Mr & Mrs Niall Barton, of Hampshire.

William's family has long associations with the Court. His father, the third Baron, was an Extra Equerry to the Duke of Edinburgh, 1982-86; his grandfather, the 2nd Baron, was a Page of Honour to King George V, 1925-32; and his great-grandfather, the 1st Baron, was Private Secretary and Equerry to King George V, and to King Edward VIII, and a Lord in Waiting to King George VI and to Queen Elizabeth II.

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Fane/Kirkova engagement

_. The engagement was announced 18 December, 2019, between Sam Michael David Fane [born 1989], scion of the Earls of Westmorland, only son of the Hon Harry St Clair Fane [born 19 March, 1953], by his wife the former Tessa Forsyth-Forrest [born 1955], descended from the Dukes of Westminster, & Viktoria N. Kirkova, daughter of Mr & Mrs Nikolay Kirkovi.

Sam's father is the younger brother and heir presumptive to the 16th Earl of Westmorland [born 1 Aug, 1951].

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Carington/Litchman engagement

_. The engagement was announced 18 December, 2019, between the Hon Robert Carington [born 7 December, 1990], only son and heir of the 7th Baron Carrington [born 2 Dec, 1948], by his wife the former Daniela Diotallevi, & Olga Litchman, daughter of Mr & Mrs Victor Litchman, of Tallin, Estonia.

Robert is a grandson of the Tory grandee, Peter, the 6th Baron Carrington, KG [1919-2018].

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Orla Kate Hendrika de Segundo [born 2019]

 _. Kate de Segundo [born 1985, née Guinness], wife of Julian W.A. de Segundo [born 1985], and scion of the Barons Moyne, gave birth to a daughter, Orla Kate Hendrika, 3 December, 2019, a sister for Louis Walter Sempill, who was born 11 March, 2018.

Kate de Segundo is a daughter of the Hon Kieran Arthur Guinness [born 11 February, 1949] and Vivienne van Amerongen.

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Pease/Narbeth engagement

_. The engagement was announced 30 November 2019, between Edward Robert Pease [born 1991], scion of the Pease baronets, son of Christopher Berkeley Pease [born 1958], of Upper Woodcott, Hampshire, by his wife the former Mariana Scrymsoure Steuart Fothringham, & Elisabeth Charlotte Narbeth [born 1995], daughter of Ian Anthony Narbeth [born 1959], of Wivenhoe, Essex, by his wife the former Charlotte Clare Walford-White [born 1955].

Edward Pease is a direct descendant of King William IV.

Edward's mother is a daughter of Robert Steuart Fothringham, 22nd of Pourie Fothringham [b 1937],  son of Maj Thomas Steuart Fothringham [1907-79], by his wife the former Carola Mary Noel [1916-89], scion of the Earls of Gainsborough, daughter of Maj the Hon Charles Noel [1885-1947], son of the 3rd Earl of Gainsborough [1850-1926], son of Lady Ida Harriet Augusta Hay [1821-67], daughter of Lady Elizabeth FitzClarence [1801-56], illegitimate daughter of His Majesty King William IV [1765-1837] and his mistress Dorothea Bland [known as Mrs Jordan] [1761-1816].

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Hon James Alexander Campbell 1942-2019

_. The Hon James Alexander Campbell, who died 3 December, 2019, aged 77, was a scion of the Earls Cawdor.

He was born 21 July, 1942, the second son of the 5th Earl Cawdor [1900-1970], of Cawdor Castle, by his 1st wife the former Wilma Mairi Vickers [who died 1982].

He married firstly, 14 Nov, 1964 [divorced 1973], Brigid Carol Dolben Lyons [born 1940], daughter of Capt Patrick Owen Lyons [1909-41], and descended maternally from the Mackworth baronets; married 2ndly, 1973 [divorced 1986], Anne Elizabeth Gilmore [born 1938], daughter of Colonel Argyle Henry Gilmore, OBE [1905-55]. He leaves two daughters from each marriage, and a daughter from a relationship with Jane U'ren.

The funeral takes place at St James' and St Elidyr's Church, Stackpole, Elidor, Pembrokeshire, 10 January, 2020.

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Sasha Raphael Phoenix Tritton [born 2019]

_. Pandora India Nicola Tritton [born 6 March, 1987, nee Sykes], descended from the Barons Buxton of Alsa, wife of Oliver Seymour Tritton [born 1985], gave birth to a son, Sasha Raphael Phoenix, 16 December, 2019, a brotjer for Zadie Grace Valentine, who was born 1 March, 2018.

Pandora is a daughter of Adrian William Guy Sykes by his wife the former Hon Nicola Mary Caroline Buxton [born 7 July, 1947], daughter of the life peer Baron Buxton of Alsa [1918-2009].

Pandora is descended maternally from the Birkin baronets.

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Wills/Brooke engagement

_. The engagement was announced 16 December, 2019, between Benjamin James Hamilton Wills [born 1988], scion of the Barons Dulverton, son of the late Capt Jeremy Robert Hamilton Wills [1955-2015], by his wife the former Alison Mary Malkin [born 1954], of Charlbury, co Oxon, & Lucy Eleanor Brooke [born 1987], daughter of Michael W. Brooke, of London, by his wife the former Susannah R. Williams-Ellis [born 1955], scion of that landed gentry family, daughter of John Richard Baldwyn Williams-Ellis [1923-89].

Benjamin Wills is a great-grandson of the 1st Baron Dulverton [1880-1956].

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Simon Miles Rivett-Carnac 1966-2019

_, Simon Miles Rivett-Carnac, who has taken his own life, aged 53, was a scion of the Rivett-Carnac baronets, and heir presumptive to the baronetcy.

He was born 10 February, 1966, second son of Sir Miles Rivett-Carnac, 9th Baronet [1933-2009], of Martyr Worthy Manor, Winchester, by his wife the former April Sally Villar.

Simon's sister is Lulu Guinness, the handbag designer. His elder brother, Sir Jonathan, the 10th baronet, is married with a daughter.

Simon Rivett-Carnac married Sarah Petrie in 1994, and was father of two sons, Tom and Geordie. The elder son, Tom Alexander Miles Rivett-Carnac, born 5 April, 1996, is now heir to the baronetcy created in 1836.

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Johns/Lopes engagement

 _. The engagement was announced 14 December, 2019, between Alexander Charles Johns [born 1983], son of Derek Ernest Johns [born 1946], by his second wife the former Daphne Ellen Hainworth [born 1949], & Sabrina Helen Lopes [born 1983], scion of the Barons Roborough, daughter of the Hon George Edward Lopes [born 22 Feb 1945], of Gnaton Hall, Yealmpton, co Devon, by his wife the former Hon Sarah Violet Astor [born 30 Sept, 1953], scion of the Barons Astor of Hever.

Sabrina Lopes is a granddaughter paternally of the 2nd Baron Roborough [1903-92], and a granddaughter maternally of the 2nd Baron Astor of Hever [1918-1984].

Sabrina's brother, Harry Lopes, married in 2006, Laura Rose Parker Bowles [b 1 January, 1978], scion of the Earls of Macclesfield, only daughter of Brig Andrew Parker Bowles [b 1939] by his first wife the former Camilla Rosemary Shand [born 17 Jul 1947] [now HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, GCVO].

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Sir John Graham, GCMG, 4th Baronet 1926-2019

_. Sir John Graham, GCMG, 4th Baronet, diplomat, former British Ambassador to Iraq, Iran and NATO, died 11 December, 2019. He was 93.

John Alexander Noble Graham was born 15 July, 1926, son of Lieut-Col. Sir [John] Reginald Graham, VC, 3rd Baronet [1892-1980], by his wife the former Rachel Sprot [1890-1984], scion of the Sprot baronets; married firstly 1956, Marygold Ellinor Gabrielle Austin [1931-1991], daughter of Lt-Col Clive Austin [1901-74], by his wife the former Lady Lilian Mary Theodora Lumley [1900-81], scion of the Earls of Scarbrough; married secondly, 1992, Janet Mackenzie Hayes.

He served as Ambassador to Iraq 1974-77, Ambassador to Iran 1979-80, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to NATO  1982-86.

He succeeded to the baronetcy on his father's death, 6 December, 1980. He was appointed CMG in 1972, knighted in 1979, and advanced to GCMG in the New Year's Honours, 1986.

Sir John leaves three sons from his first marriage. The eldest son, Lieutenant-General Andrew John Noble Graham, CB, CBE, who was born in 1956, succeeds to the baronetcy.

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Astrid Isla Trenchard [born 2019]

 _. Amanda K.M. Trenchard [nee Karlsson], wife of the Hon William James Trenchard [born 14 May, 1986], scion of the Viscounts Trenchard, gave birth to a daughter, Astrid Isla, in Bergen, Norway, 11 December, 2019.

The Hon William Trenchard is the second son of the 3rd Viscount Trenchard [born 12 March, 1951], by his wife the former Hon Fiona Elizabeth Morrison [born 11 Nov, 1954], scion of the Barons Margadale.

Amanda Trenchard is a daughter of Thomas Karlsson, of Stockholm, Sweden.

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Wombwell/Denny engagement

_. The engagement was announced 11 December, 2019, between Stephen Philip Henry Wombwell [born 12 May, 1977], scion of the Wombwell baronets, son and heir of Sir George Wombwell, 7th Baronet [born 21 May, 1949], of Coxwold, co York, by his wife the former [Hermione] Jane Wrightson, & Alice E.T. Denny, daughter of Mr & Mrs Robin Denny, of Lower Dunsforth, co York.

It is Stephen Wombwell's second marriage. His first union was with Helen Sarah Pattinson, by whom he has issue.

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Lady Thomas [died 2019]

Lady [Lineke] Thomas, who died 9 December, 2019, aged 89, was the wide of Sir Derek Thomas, KCMG [born 31 Oct, 1929].

Her husband's career as a diplomat was divided between Embassies abroad and spells at the FCO in London. Postings abroad included to 2½ years in Moscow, then Sofia, Manila, Ottawa, Paris, Washington, and finally Rome – where he was Ambassador to Italy.  For one spell in London before going to Paris, he was seconded to the Treasury to learn about international financial issues.

After retirement from the FCO, Sir Derek was recruited in 1990 by N. M. Rothschild and Sons and spent 14 years as adviser to the Chairman on the development of the bank’s European business, particularly in Eastern and Central Europe.

Her daughter, Caroline, married in 1988, Sir Charles Gladstone, 8th Baronet [born 11 Apr, 1964].

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The [24th] Countess of Sutherland 1921-2019

_. The Countess of Sutherland, the 24th holder of a peerage created in 1235, died in London, 9 December, 2019. She was 98.

The countess, one of Scotland's biggest landowners, was seated at Dunrobin Castle, Golspie, Sutherland, and House of Tongue, by Lairg, Sutherland. Her London home was in Edwardes Square.

She was born Elizabeth Millicent Sutherland Levson-Gower, 30 March, 1921, the only child of Major Lord Alastair St Clair Sutherland-Leveson-Gower [1890-1921], by his wife the former Elizabeth Helene Demarest [died 1931], daughter of Warren Gardener Demarest, of New York, United States.

Her grandfather was the 4th Duke of Sutherland, KG [1851-1913]. She succeeded as 2th Countess of Sutherland and Lady Strathnaver on the death of her uncle, the 5th Duke of Sutherland, 1 Feb, 1963.

Elizabeth Sutherland-Leveson-Gower [who later assumed the surname of Sutherland only] married 5 January, 1946, Capt Charles Noel Janson [died 15 June, 2006], son of Capt Charles Wilfrid Janson, of Wilton Crescent, Belgravia, by whom she had issue, three sons, Alistair, Martin and Matthew, and a daughter, Lady Annabel.

The Earldom of Sutherland and Lordship of Strathnaver now pass to her eldest son, Alistair Charles St Clair Sutherland, styled Lord Strathnaver, who was born 7 January, 1947.

The funeral will take place at Dunrobin Castle, Golspie.

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