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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