Anne Catherine Usher (nee Davidge) 1932-2023

Anne Catherine Usher (nee Davidge), who died 28 March, 2023, aged 90, was a scion of the Davidge landed gentry family; born 19 September, 1932, daughter of Cecil Vere Davidge (1901-1981), and his first wife the former Ursula Catherine Smyth (1898-1948), scion of that landed gentry family; and married in 1963, William Ernest Broadbent Usher (1931-2020), son of Major Ernest Henry Broadbent Usher, MC (1892-1942), and his wife Gertrude Lynette Griffiths (1894-1988), by whom she had issue, a daughter, Catherine (born 8 December, 1974).

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Gobourn/Galbraith engagement

The engagement was announced 7 Apr, 2023, between Harry Peter C. Gobourn (born 1993), elder son of Andrew D.C. Gobourn (born 1960), of Greenhead, East Lothian, by his wife the former Claire Kelway Smith-Carington (born 10 April, 1962), scion of that landed gentry family, of Ashby Folville, and the Hon Elizabeth Ida Skinner Galbraith (born 1 Dec, 1993), eldest daughter of the 2nd Baron Strathclyde, CH, PC (born 22 February, 1960), of Barskimming, Ayrshire, and the Baroness Strathclyde (nee Jane Skinner).

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Ethel Cordelia Ruth Stevenson (born 2023)

 Amy Stevenson (nee Thompson), wife of the Hon William Beckford J. Stevenson [born 1984], gave birth to a daughter, Ethel Cordelia Ruth, 1 April, 2023.

Amy is a daughter of Mr & Mrs Mark Thompson, and William Stevenson is the son of the life peer the Baron Stevenson of Codenham [born 19 July, 1945], and his wife the former Charlotte Susan Vanneck [born 26 February, 1947], scion of the Barons Huntingfield, and Amy M. Thompson, daughter of Mr & Mrs Mark Thompson.

William Vanneck, 5th Baron Huntingfield [1883-1969] > Hon Sir Peter Vanneck, GBE [1922-99], sometime Lord Mayor of London > Charlotte Vanneck > Hon William Stevenson > Ethel Stevenson

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Anthony Charles Brown, OBE 1936-2023

Anthony Charles Brown, OBE, died 4 April, 2023, aged 86. He was a son of Frederick Charles Brown and married 23 September, 1961 (div 1980), as her first husband, Rosamund Hope Vestey (born 8 April, 1940), scion of the Vestey baronets, daughter of Sir John Derek Vestey, 2nd Baronet (1914-2005), and his wife the former Phyllis Irene Brewer (1913-2006), by whom he had issue, a son, Mark (b 7 Apr, 1964), and a daughter, Julia (b 26 Aug, 1962).

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Christopher John Prideaux 1936-2023

 Christopher John Prideaux, who died 31 March, 2023, aged 86, was head of that landed gentry family.

He was born 12 November, 1936, son of Colonel Sir John Francis Prideaux, OBE, TD (1911-1983), and his wife the former Joan Terrell Brown (1911-2008), scion of the Brown batonets; and married 16 April, 1959, Celia Daniell (born 1936), scion of that landed family, daughter of Sir Peter Averell Daniell, TD (1909-2002), scion of that landed gentry family, and his wife the former Leonie Mayne Harrison (1912-1997), by whom he had issue, two sons, David and Charles and a daughter, Lavinia. The elder son, David John (b 5 Oct, 1962), succeeds as head of the family.

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David Michael Shapiro 1934-2023

 David Michael Shapiro died 1 April, 2023, aged 88. He married 20 July, 1972, the Hon Virginia Makins (born 15 January, 1939), daughter of the 1st Baron Sherfield, GCMG, GBE (1904-1996), and his wife the former Alice Brooks Davis (d 1985), by whom he had issue, three sons, Adam, Jacob  and Jeremy.

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Edward James Money 1936-2023

 Edward James Money, who died 30 March, 2023, aged 86, was a scion of the Money-Kyrle landed gentry family. Born in 1936, son of Edward Douglas Money (1889-1974), and his swcond wife the former Edith Lilian Fraser (1896-1974). He leaves a widow, Catherine, and sons, Robert and Henry.

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Catriona Mary Alexa (Rosie) Grant-Rennick 1953-2023

 Catriona Mary Alexa (Rosie) Grant-Rennick, died tragically in Spain, 9 March, 2023. She was a scion of the landed gentry family of that name, born in 1953, daughter of Capt Richard de Clanay Grant-Rennick (1923-2004), and his first wife the former Violet Mary Barnardo (1922-80).

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Coronation news: Pages of Honour to the King & Queen announced

 The King and Queen have honoured family, friends and members of their inner circle in their choice of Pages of Honour to to carry their robes at the Coronation on 6 May, 2023. 

King Charles and Queen Camilla have four pages each. For His Majesty the role will be served by his grandson, the future monarch :-

(1) Prince George of Wales (born 22 July, 2013), elder son of the Prince and Princess of Wales.

(2) Lord Oliver Cholmondeley (born 12 Oct, 2009), the younger twin son of the former Hereditary Lord Great Chamberlain the 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley (born 27 June, 1960), and his wife the former Rose Hanbury (born 15 March, 1984).

(3) Ralph Tollemache (born 16 Sept, 2010), son of the Hon Edward Tollemache (born 12 May, 1976), scion of the Barons Tollemache, a godson of the King, and former Page of Honour to Queen Elizabeth II, and his wife the former Sophie Johnstone (born 1981).

(4) Nicholas Barclay (born 15 June, 2009), son of Piers Barclay, and his wife the former RoseTroughton who is the elder daughter of Peter Troughton, of Upper Wanborough, Swindon, Wiltshire, by his wife the former Sarah Rose Colman (b. 1953), sometime Lady-in-Waiting to HRH The Duchess of Kent. Nicholas is a great-grandson of Sir Timothy Colman, KG, by his wife the former Lady Mary Cecilia Bowes Lyon (b. 1932) sometime Lady-in-Waiting to HRH Princess Alexandra, the Hon Lady Ogilvy. Lady Mary Colman is a sister of the late 17th Earl of Strathmore & Kinghorne, and a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II.

Queen Camilla's Pages of Honour:-

(1) Her Majesty's grandson, Gus Lopes (born 29 Dec, 2009), scion of the Barons Roborough, son of Harry Lopes (born 7 Oct, 1977), and his wife ther former Laura Rose Parker Bowles (born 1 Jan, 1978), daughter of Brig Andrew Parker Bowles (b 27 Dec, 1939), and HM Queen Camilla.

(2) Louis Lopes (born 29 Dec, 2009), twin with his brother Gus. Grandson of Queen Camilla.

(3) Her Majesty's grandson, Freddy Parker Bowles (born 28 Feb, 2010), scion of the Earls of Macclesfield, son of Thomas Parker Bowles (b 18 Sept, 1974), and his former wife the former Sara Buys.

(4) Arthur Elliot (born 2012), great-nephew of Queen Camilla, son of Benjamin Elliot (born 1975), and his wife the former Mary-Clare Winwood, and a grandson of the Queen's sister, Annabel Elliot.

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Clementine Lily Scrope (born 2023)

 Eliza Clementine Rothwell Scrope [nee Walker], wife of Richard Conyers William Scrope [born 1980], scion of that landed family, of Danby, co York, gave birth to a daughter, Clementine Lily, 28 March, 2023, a sister for Isabella Daisy Beatrix, who was born 16 October, 2019.

Richard Scrope is a son of the late William James Conyers (Bill) Scrope [d 22 June, 2009], by his wife the former Virginia [Ginny] Sheffield Mitchell [Mrs Ginny Scrope, of Chittoe, Wiltshire].

Eliza Scrope is a daughter of Mr & Mrs Paul Walker, of Chiswick, London.

Richard Scrope is a grandson of Adrian Cuthbert Scrope (1906-92) by his wife the former Everilda Sykes, dau Col Sir Mark Sykes, 6th Baronet, of Sledmere. &c.

The Baron Lawson of Blaby, PC 1932-2023

 The Baron Lawson of Blaby, PC, who died 3 April, 2023, aged 91, was a Conservative party politician, and leading member of Margaret Thatcher's administration, Chancellor of the Exchequer for six years.

Lord Lawson of Blaby served as Conservative MP for Blaby from 1974 to 1992, and served in Margaret Thatcher's Cabinet from 1981 to 1989. Prior to entering the Cabinet, he served as the Financial Secretary to the Treasury from May 1979 until his promotion to Secretary of State for Energy. He was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer in June 1983, and served until his resignation in October 1989. In both Cabinet posts, Lawson was a key proponent of Thatcher's policies of privatisation of several key industries.

Nigel Lawson was a backbencher from 1989 until he retired in 1992, and was raised to the peerage for life in that year as Baron Lawson of Blaby, of Newnham in the County of Northamptonshire.

Nigel Lawson was born 11 March, 1932, the only son of Ralph Lawson, and was educated at Westminster and Christ Church, Oxford (BA 1954); Fellow of Nuffield College Oxford 1972-73; on the editorial staff of the Financial Times 1956-60, City Editor of the Sunday Telegraph 1961-63; Editor of The Spectator 1966-70; Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (Sir Alec Douglas-Home) 1963-4 and Special Political Adviser, Conservative HQ 1973-74; a Director of Barclays Bank; &c.

He was sworn of the Privy Council in 1981.

He married firstly 1955 (div 1980) Vanessa Mary Addison Salmon (who died 1985), daughter of Felix Addison Salmon, of Ham Common, Surrey; married 2ndly 1980, Therese Mary, daughter of Henry Charles Maclear Bate, of Putney, London.

From his first marriage he leaves a son, Dominic Ralph Campden (born 1956), and daughters, Nigella (b 1960), Thomasina (b 1961), and Horatia (b 1966); and from his second marriage a son, Thomas (b 1976), and daughter, Emily (born 1981).

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Michael Edward Rudman 1939-2023

 Michael Rudman, the theatre director died 30 March, 2023. He was 84.

He was born born in Tyler, Texas, 14 February, 1939, son of Mayer Billy Rudman and his wife Josephine (née Davis); he married firstly, 3 April, 1964 (div 1980), Veronica Anne Colburn-Bennett (born 7 April, 1942), descended from the Barons Camoys, daughter of John Alfred Colburn-Bennett, CMG, CBE (who died 1969), and his wife the former Joan Florence Mary Stonor (1907-1956); and married 2ndly, 1983 (div 1990), the actress Felicity Kendal, CBE (born 25 September, 1946), daughter of the actor Geoffrey Kendal (1909-98), and his wife the former Laura Liddell (died 1992). He was reunited with Miss Kendal in 1998, but didn't re-marry.

From his first marriage he leaves two daughters, Amanda and Katherine, and he leaves a son, Jacob, from his marriage to Felicity Kendal.

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Clara Lucinda Dashwood-Chase (born 2023)

 Victoria Lucinda Dashwood-Chase (nee Dashwood, born 21 March, 1991), scion of the Dashwood baronets, and wife of James Matthew Dashwood-Chase [nee Chase, born 1990], gave birth to a daughter, Clara Lucinda Dashwood-Chase, 29 January, 2023.

James Dashwood-Chase is a son of William Leonard Chase [born 1960], of Herefordshire, and his wife the former Sarah Kathleen Cowap [born 1963].

Victoria Dashwood-Chase, is the only daughter of Sir Edward John Francis Dashwood, 12th Baronet [born 25 September, 1964], of West Wycombe Park, and Lady Dashwood [nee Lucinda Nell Miesegaes [born 1964].

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Elizabeth Kathleen Astor 1951-2023

Elizabeth Kathleen Astor, who died 26 March, 2023, aged 71, was a scion of the Barons Astor of Hever.

She was born 22 July, 1951, daughter of the Hon John Astor (1923-87), and his 1st wife the former Diana Kathleen de Vere Drummond (1926-1982), scion of the Earls of Perth, and was a granddaughter paternally of the 1st Baron Astor of Hever (1886-1971).

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Benitz/Weinstock marriage

 The marriage took place at the King's Chapel of the Savoy, London, 10 March, 2023, between Max Edward F. Benitz [born 1985], youngest son of Bryan Benitz, of Wylye, Wiltshire, and his wife, nee Hutchinson, & Celia Rose Weinstock [born 1985], second daughter of the late Hon Simon Andrew Weinstock [1952-96], and his wife the former Laura Helen Legh [born 16 May, 1954] [now Laura Weinstock Sykes, of Milton Lilbourne, Wiltshire] scion of the Barons Newton.

The 3rd Baron Newton [1888-1960] > Maj Hon Sir Francis Legh [1919-84] > Laura Helen Legh [b 1954] > Celia Weinstock [b 1985]

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The 18th Earl of Perth 1935-2023

The 18th Earl of Perth died at his home, 27 March, 2023. He was 87.

He was Earl of Perth (Peerage of Scotland, cr 1605), and Viscount Strathallan (Peerage of Scotland, cr 1686).

John Eric Drummond was born 7 July, 1935, son of the 17th Earl of Perth, PC (1907-2002), of Stobhall, Perth, and his wife the former Nancy Seymour Fincke (1911-96), of New York, USA, and succeeded to the peerages on his father's death, 25 November, 2002.

He married firstly, 7 January, 1963 (div 1972), Margaret Anne Gordon, daughter of Robin Gordon; and married 2ndly, in 1988, Mrs Marion Verity Grey Elliot (born 1947, nee Eton), daughter of Alfred John Douglass Eton (1908-1996), and his wife the former Renee Rosena Gadd (1916-2003), and leaves issue from his first marriage, two sons James and Robert, and was predeceased by a daughter, Annabella (who was born and died in 1964). The elder son, James David Drummond, styled Viscount Strathallan (born 24 Oct, 1965), now succeeds to the peerages. 

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Robert Andrew Bogdan 1950-2023

 Robert Andrew Bogdan died 22 March, 2023, aged 72. He was born in 1950, son of Andrew Brogdan (1917-1996), and his wife the former Mary Dorothea Forbes Innes (1916-2007), scion of that Scots landed gentry family, of Drum.

Funeral service at All Saints’ Church, Whiterashes, Aberdeenshire, on Tuesday 11th April followed by the interment at St Mary’s Chapel, Straloch. 

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Heath James McAlpine Gibbs (born 2023)

Flora Gibbs (nee McAlpine), wife since 2021 of the Hon Humphrey William Fell Gibbs (born 31 January, 1989), gave birth to a son, Heath James McAlpine Gibbs, born 27 February, 2023.

Humphrey Gibbs is the eldest son of the ;6th Baron Aldenham and Hunsdon (born 9 June, 1948), and his wife the former Josephine Nicola Fell (born 1950).

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Hobhouse/Holland-Hibbert engagement

The engagement was announced 1 April, 2023, between Jack Samuel Hobhouse (born 6 Sept, 1995), scion of that landed gentry family, son of William Arthur Hobhouse (born 29 March, 1956), of Sarratt, Hertfordshire, & his wife the former Anna Catherine (Kate) Weston, & Isabel Katherine Holland-Hibbert (born 11 May, 1995), scion of the Viscounts Knutsford, daughter of the Hon Henry Thurstan Holland-Hibbert (born 6 April, 1959), of Munden, Hertfordshire, and his wife the former Katherine Ropner (born 16 Apr, 1964), scion of the Ropner baronets.

Isabel Holland-Hibbert is a granddaughter of the 6th Viscount Knutsford (born 27 Dec, 1926).

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Capron/Burnett engagement

The engagement was announced 1 April, 2023, between Robert Charles Capron (born 20 November, 1991), scion of that landed gentry family, son of Adam David Capron (born 1954), of West Berkshire, and his wife the former Polly H. Irwin-Clark (born 1955), & Lottie Burnett, daughter of Jane Burnett and the late Daniel Burnett, of Bayswater, London

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