Sir Michael Rawlins, GBE, MD, FRCP 1941-2023

  Sir Michael Rawlins, GBE, who died 1 January, 2023, aged 81, was a clinical pharmacologist and emeritus professor at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. During his medical career he chaired several executive agencies including the Committee on Safety of Medicines from 1993 to 1998.

He was born 28 March, 1941, son of the Rev Jack Rawkins (d 9 July, 1946), of Northwood, Stoke on Trent, by his wife the former Evelyn Daphne Douglas-Hamilton (1916-2003), scion of the Dukes of Hamilton & Brandon; and married 3 Aug, 1963 (div 2005), Elizabeth Cadbury Hambly (b 8 September, 1940), scion of that landed gentry family, daughter of Edmund Henry Hambly (1914-85), of Treharrock, Port Isaac, Cornwall, and his wife the former Elizabeth Mary Cadbury (1912-2004), scion of that eponymous chocolate manufacturing landed gentry family, by whom he had three daughters.

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Lawes/Alexander engagement

 The engagement was announced 14 January, 2023, between Tobias Edward Robert (Toby) Lawes (born 1992), son of Jeremy Charles Lawes (born 1957), of Beer, Devon, and Gillian (Gilly) Lawes (nee Crowhurst), of Wickhambrook, Suffolk, & Clare Rose Alexander (born 24 December, 1994), daughter of Nicholas Walter Alexander, of Kinneston, Fife, by his wife the former (Sara) Rose Pumphrey (born 4 March, 1962), scion of that landed gentry family.

Sir Frederick Alfred Aykroyd, 1st Baronet > Frederic Howard Aykroyd > Joanna Jane Aykroyd > Sara Rose Pumphrey > Clare Rose Alexander

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Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon Ivor Amphlett, MVO, MBE

 Lt Col (retired) Gordon Ivor Amphett, MVO, MBE, late the Royal Regiment of Wales, died at Brecon Hospital, 10 January, 2023.

Lt-Col Amphlett paid a vital role in shaping the future military career of the present King. 

The then Prince Charles was appointed Colonel-in-Chief of the new regiment in early 1969, his first Army appointment. The amalgamation parade of the two regiments took place in Cardiff Castle in early 1969, in front of HRH. The point of formation of the new regiment - the Royal Regiment of Wales-  is taken as the point at which Prince Charles placed the new regimental green goat-coat upon Taffy the goat-mascot, replacing the Welch Regiment’s red one. The goat-coat had been worked by the Royal College of Needlework. Postcards of Prince Charles in the new regiment’s uniform taken at the occasion were still many years later. Amphlett, the then Regimental Sergeant Major, WO1 Gordon Amphlett - was awarded his subsequent MVO decoration - a royal honour in the personal gift of the monarch -for the effectiveness and good humour in teaching the young Prince of Wales (now HM The King) to salute and for his preparedness and poise for the parade.

On July 1, 1969, Prince Charles went to Carnarvon Castle, where his mother invested him as Prince of Wales. Charles wore the uniform of Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Regiment of Wales for the ceremony. The newly-formed regiment lined the route on the day at Carnarvon.

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de Ferranti/Wentworth-Stanley engagement

 The engagement was announced 14 January, 2023, between Ludovic Sebastian de Ferranti (born May, 1986), son of Adrian Sebastian Ziani de Ferranti (born 24 December, 1958), and his wife the former Christian Roome, & Louisa Clare Wentworth-Stanley (born 1993), scion of that landed gentry family, daughter of Nicholas Philip Wentworth-Stanley (born 1954), and his former 1st wife, Clare Husted Steel (born 2 September, 1960), now Marchioness of Milford Haven, 2nd wife of George Ivar Louis Mountbatten, 4th Marquess of Milford Haven (b 6 June, 1961).

Ludovic de Ferranti has numerous descents from the peerage, including the Gore Earls Temple of Stowe, the Earls of Eglinton & Winton, and Earls of Stair, etc. His father, Adrian, is a first cousin of Georgina, Duchess of Norfolk, first wife the current 18th Duke of Norfolk, GCVO.

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Sir Anthony Henry John Rawlinson, 5th Baronet 1936-2023

 Sir Anthony Rawlinson, 5th Baronet, has died aged 86.

Anthony Henry John Rawlinson was born 1 May, 1936, son of Sir Alfred Frederick Rawlinson, 4th Baronet (1900-68), and his wife the former Bessie Ford Emmett (d 1996); and succeeded to the baronetcy (cr UK, 1891), on his fagther's demise, 15 June, 1969.

He married 1stly, 2 Apr, 1960 (div 1967), Penelope Byng Noel (1939-2016), descended from the Noel Bts, daughter of Rear-Admiral Gambier John Byng Noel, CB (1914-95), and his wife the former Joan Stevens (d 2002). married 2ndly, 1967 (div 1976), Pauline Strickland Hardy, daughter of John Holt Hardy; and married 3rdly, 1977 (div 1997), Helen Leone Kennedy, daughter of Thomas Miller Kennedy, and married 4thly, 2013, Mrs Rosalind Snaith (nee Everett). 

Sir Anthony had a son and a daughter from his first marriage, Alexander and Caroline, and a son, Rupert, from his second marriage, and a son, Christopher from his third marriage. The eldest son, Alexander Noel Rawlinson (born 15 July, 1964), succeeds to the baronetcy.

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Christina Mary Strutt (nee Amoroso Centeno) died 2022

 Christina Mary Strutt (nee Amoroso Centeno) died 28 December, 2022, aged 68.

She was a daughter of Dr Eric Amoroso Centeno, and married in 1980, Major Stephen Mark Alisair Strutt (born 18 July, 1948), scion of the Barons Rayleigh, son of Stephen Alastair Strutt (1918-49), and his wife the former Felicity Anne MacDonnell, by whom she had issue, a son, Edward (born 1985), and a daughter, Catherine (b 1983).

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(David Laurence) Jeremy Booth 1932-2023

Jeremy Booth died 4 January, 2023, aged 90.

He was born in 1932, son of John Lionel Booth (1893-1966), and his wife the former Mary Kathleen Read (1901-96); and married 22 October, 1977 (div.), as her first husband, Sylvia Dorothy Turton (born 1947), scion of that landed gentry family of Kildale Hall and Upsall, daughter of Major Ralph Meredyth Turton, TD (1908-1988), and his wife the former Mary Blanche Chetwynd-Stapylton (1910-2009), scion of the Viscounts Chetwynd.

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Robert Weston Howard 1928-2023

 Robert Weston (Robin) Howard, who died 3 January, 2023, aged 94, was head of that landed gentry family, of Ashmore; he was born 19 Apr, 1928, son of Henry Weston Howard, CBE (1899-1981), and his wife the former Christian Alice Eugenie Askwith (who died 1981), scion of that landed gentry family; & married 1957, Mary Lennard-Jones (born 1930), daughter of Sir John Lennard-Jones, KBE (1894-1954), and his wife the former Kathleen Mary Lennard, by whom he had two sons, and three daughters. 

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Francis Charles Joseph Radcliffe 1939-2023

 Francis Charles Joseph Radcliffe, who died 1 January, 2023, aged 83, was a scion of the Radcliffe baronets, formerly of Rudding Park, Harrogate.

He was born 2 October, 1939, son of Charles Joseph Basil Radcliffe (1900-83), and his wife the former Kathleen Norah Anne Percy (who d 1994), daughter of Norman Percy; and married 17 Aug, 1968 (div 1982), Nicolette Helen Randag, daughter of Eugene Randag, of Butler's Cross, Buckinghamshire, by whom he had issue, a son, Edward (born 1969), and two daughters, Colette (b 1971), and Alexandra (b 1972).

Caroline Egeria Malise Muir 1929-2023

 Caroline Muir, who died 8 January, 2023, aged 93, was a scion of the Graham baronets, of Esk, descended from the 2nd Bt.

Caroline Egeria Malise Graham was born 14 August, 1929, daughter of Colonel Fergus Reginald Winsford Graham, DSO, MC (1884-1961), and his wife the former Egeria Marion Spottiswood Baker (who d 1 Apr, 1975); and married 30 December, 1952, Colonel Thomas Wemyss Muir (1923-2004), of The Queen's Dragoon Guards, son of Capt William Hugh Muir, MC, of The King's Dragoon Guards, by whom she had issue, a son, James, and three daughters, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Alexandra.

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Hugo David Montague Morley-Fletcher 1940-2022

 Hugo David Morley-Fletcher, who died 30 December, 2022, aged 82, was a grandson maternally of the 11th Marquess of Tweeddale.

Morley-Fletcher was one of Britain's leading experts in ceramics, and author of numerous publications on the subject. As a porcelain expert he appeared on the BBC's Antiques Roadshow.

He was born in September, 1940, son of Lieutenant-Colonel David Morley-Fletcher (1910-71), and his wife the former Lady Christine Daphne Hay (1919-2000), daughter of the 11th Marquess of Tweeddale (1884-1967).

He married firstly, 14 January, 1967 (div 1980), Josceline Mary Phillimore (born 7y January, 1946), scion of the Barons Phillimore, daughter of Sir Henry Josceline Phillimore, OBE, PC (1910-74), a Lord Justice of Appeal, and his wife the former Katharine Mary Maude Roxby; married 2ndly, in 1980, Belinda Mary David, daughter of William Miles David, of Ponefract, West Yorkshire.

He leaves issue from his first marriage, a son, Gifford (born 13 June, 1969), and a daughter, Hester (born in 1972), and a daughter from his second marriage, (Isabella) Frances (born 1981).

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Charles Edmund Macnaghten 1937-2023

 Charles Edmund Macnaghten, who died 6 January, 2023, aged 85, was a scion of the Macnaghten baronets; born 4 April, 1937, third son of Sir Antony Macnaghten of Macnaghten, 10th Baronet (1899-1972), and his wife the former Magdalene Fisher. 

He married 25 September, 1976, (Mary) Jane Saunders, daughter of John Saunders, by whom he had issue, two children, a son, Alexander, and a daughter, Mary. He is also survived by a step-daughter, Elizabeth.

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Edwina Sylvia Bonn (née de Winton-Wills) 1933-2023

 Edwina Sylvia Bonn (née de Winton-Wills), who died at Pitlochry, 8 January, 2023, aged 89, was a scion of the Wills baronets, and the first wife of the 7th Marquess of Ailesbury.

She was born 13 March, 1933, second daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Ernest Edward de Winton Wills, 4th Baronet (1903-1983), late the Scots Guards, of Meggernie Castle, and his first wife the former Sylvia Margaret Ogden (d 26 Jan 1946); she married 1stly, 17 March, 1952 (div 1961), Michael Sydney Cedric Brudenell-Bruce, then styled Viscount Savernake (born 31 March, 1926) (now the 8th Marquess of Ailesbury), son of the late 7th Marquess (1904-74), and his 1st wife Joan Houlton Salter (d 24 July, 1937); married 2ndly, 1963, Major Christopher Leslie Leo Bonn, Welsh Guards (1928-2008), scion of that landed family, sometime Equerry to HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, son of Major Walter Basil Louis Bonn (1885-1973), and his wife the former Leopoldina Theodora Davidson (1894-1974), scion of that landed gentry family.

From her first marriage she leaves issue, a son, David, styled Earl of Cardigan (born 12 Nov, 1952), and two daughters, Lady Sylvia Brudenell-Bruce (born 19 June 1954), and Lady Carina Brudenell-Bruce (born 13 Jan 1956), and from her second marriage, a son, Philip (born 9 Feb 1964), and three daughters, Melissa, Camilla and Melanie.

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Muriel Anne Hamer (née Radclyffe) 1929-2023

 Muriel Anne Hamer (née Radclyffe), who died 8 January, 2023, aged 94, was a scion of the Radclyffe landed gentry family; born 1929, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Montague Frederick Radclyffe, OBE, MC (1883-1967), and his wife the former Audrey Muriel Worthington (1906-94), scion of that landed gentry family, and a granddaughter maternally of the 8th Earl of Aylesford (1851-1924); married 1951, Colonel Peter Meredith Hamer, OBE (1926-90), son of Major Geoffrey Meredith Hamer (1890-1976), and his wife the former Betty Yates (1899-1982), by whom she had issue, three sons, Charles, William and Edward.

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Piers Rogers 1947-2023

 Piers Rogers died 3 January, 2023, aged 75. He was a son of Geoffrey Glencross Rogers (1912-82), and his wife the former Davida Mackinnon (1916-83), & married 1974, Miriam Anne Croft (born 31 Oct, 1948), scion of the Croft baronets, daughter of Major Richard Arthur FitzRoy Page Croft (1910-1997), and his 1st wife the former Felice Amy Peggy McClymont (1915-85); by whom he had issue, a son, Samuel (b 1978), and a daughter, Scarlett (b 1980).

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Juliet Marian Guest (née James) 1931-2022

Juliet Marian Guest (née James), died 19 December, 2022, aged 91.

She was born in 1931, a daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Harold Morton James (1885-1942), and his wife Juliette; and married 8 December, 1951, Patrick Henry Guest (1927-2016), scion of the Barons (later Viscounts) Wimborne, son of Major the Hon Oscar Montague Guest (1888-1958), and his wife the former Kathleen Susan Paterson (1902-1982), a granddaughter maternally of the 14th Earl of Huntingdon (1841-1885), by whom she had issue, three sons, Peter (b 2 Nov, 1952), Matthew (b 5 Apr, 1954), and David (b 15 July 1960).

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Cotterell/Straker engagement

 The engagement was announced 11 January, 2023, between George Dominic Geers Cotterell (born 23 Apr, 1994), second son of Sir Henry Richard Geers Cotterell, 7th Baronet (born 22 August, 1961), of Garnons, Herefordshire, and his first wife the late Carolyn Suzanne Beckwith-Smith (1955-99), scion of that landed gentry family, sometime Extra Lady-in-Waiting to HRH The Duchess of York, & Alice Straker, scion of that landed family of Stagshaw, youngest daughter of Colonel Matthew Adam Straker (born 1954), of Abbey Dore, co Hereford, and his wife the former Jane Clare Anthony (b 1966).

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Mason/Gurney engagement

The engagement was announced 11 January, 2023, between Thomas J. Mason, eldest son of Christopher Mason, of Whittlebury, Northamptonshire, and his wife Johanna, and Olivia Kate Gurney (born 1987), daughter of Jonathan Kendal James Gurney, of Wicken, Northamptonshire,  and his wife the former Margaret Rose Wilson (born 11 January, 1957), daughter of Sir Thomas Douglas Wilson, 4th Baronet (1917-1984), and his wife the former Pamela Aileen Hanmer (1923-2004),s cion of the Hanmer Bts.

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Constantine II, King of the Helenes 1940-2023

 The death has been announced of Constantine II, former King of the Hellenes. He was 82. King Constantine died in Athens, 10 January, 2023.

King Constantine, godfather of the Prince of Wales, was doubly descended from Queen Victoria, and a second cousin and close friend of King Charles III. 

He was born in Rome, 2 June, 1940, son of King Paul (1901-64), and his wife Princess Frederica of Hanover (1917-81). Both his parents were descendants of Queen Victoria.

He succeeded to the throne of the Hellenes on the sudden death of his father, King Paul, 6 March, 1964, and reigned until the abolition of the Greek monarchy, 1 June, 1973. A referendum of 8 Dec, 1974 confirmed the abolition of the monarchy.

King Constantine married at Athens, 18 Sept, 1964, HRH Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark (born 30 Aug, 1946), a younger daughter of HM King Frederik IX of Denmark (1899-1972), and his wife Princess Ingrid of Sweden (1910-2000), by whom he had issue, three sons, Crown Prince Pavlos, Prince Nikolaos, and Prince Philippos, and two daughters, Alexia and Theodora.

The eldest son, Crown Prince Pavlos (born 20 May, 1967), is now claimant to the throne of the Hellenes. He married 1 July, 1995, Marie-Chantal Miller (b 17 September, 1968), and has issue, 4 sons and one daughter.

King Constantine's sister, Sophie, is the wife of King Juan Carlos I, King of Spain 1975-2014.

Queen Victoria > Victoria, Princess Royal > Sophie of Prussia > King Paul > King Constantine

Queen Victoria > Victoria, Princess Royal > Wilhelm II German Emperor > Viktoria-Luise of Prussia > Frederica of Hanover > King Constantine

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Frances Mary Curwen (nee Holman) 1927-2022

Frances Mary Curwen (nee Holman), died 21 December, 2022, aged 95.

The former Frances Mary Holman married in 1952, Nicholas Francis Curwen (1923-2018), scion of that landed gentry family of Workington Hall,  son of the Rev Stanley Patricius Lamplugh Curwen (1876-1965), and his wife the former Lilian Frances Skinner (1891-1933), a granddaughter maternally of the 7th Earl of Bessboeough (1821-1906), &c.

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