Peerage News

Stephen Bernard Turville Constable-Maxwell 1963-2026

2026-10-27T00:03:00.000+00:00

Stephen Bernard Turville Constable-Maxwell, who died 16 October, 2026, aged 62, was a scion of the Lords Herries of Terregles.

He was born 15 December, 1963, the second son of Robert John Turville-Constable-Maxwell (1933- ), and his wife the former Susan Mary Gaisford St-Lawrence (born 1936), scion of that Irish landed gentry family.

Stephen's maternal grandfather, represented the chief female-line descendants of the former St.Lawrence familial Irish Barons Howth (created c.1425) and Earls of Howth (created 3rd September 1767-extinct 9th March 1909).

He married 16 May, 1992, Louise A. Crossland (born 1964), daughter of Alan Crossland, of Wychnor, Burton-on-Trent, by whom he had issue, Olivia Sarah Turville (Liv) (born 13 Jan 1995), Kate Sophie (born 2 Sept, 1996), and Thomas William Turville-Constable-Maxwell (born 8 April, 1998).

He also leaves a fiancé, Lucy.

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Sir John Philip Howard-Lawson, 6th Baronet 1934-2026

2026-10-27T00:01:00.000+00:00

Sir John Howard-Lawson.

Sir John Philip Howard-Lawson, 6th Baronet, died 17 October, 2026. He was 92.

His home was Hunter Hall, Great Salkeld, Penrith.

He was born John Philip Lawson, 6 June, 1934, the eldest son of Sir William Howard Lawson, 5th Baronet (1907-1990), of Corby Castle, by his wife the former Joan Eleanor Stamer (1909-1989).

A descendant of the 4th Duke of Norfolk, he assumed the surname and arms of Howard, 1962, and the surname of Howard-Lawson in 1992.

He succeeded his father, 3 June, 1990, as the 6th Baronet, of Brough Hall, Catterick [created UK, 1841].

He married 17 September, 1960, Jean Veronica Marsh (who died 2001), daughter of Colonel John Evelyn Marsh, OBE, DSO, by whom he had issue, two sons, Philip and Thomas, and a daughter, Julia.

His elder son, Philip (born 28 June, 1961), succeeds to the baronetcy.

In 2012 Sir John won a legal battle with his own son over the sale of their £2.5million 13th century ancestral home. Philip Howard, had claimed he was entitled to £1.5million from the sale of Corby Castle, which had been in the family since 1611. Mr Howard's father Sir John Howard-Lawson, Bt, sold the Cumbrian castle in 1994 for £2.5million, along with its contents and a thousand acres of land. Mr Howard claimed his father had no right to sell the property, originally built as a peel tower in the 13th century, as he had failed to comply with the terms of a will made in 1934. Philip Canning Howard, his great-great-grandfather, had dictated that in order to inherit Corby Castle, his heirs must change their surname to Howard and take up the family coat of arms within 12 months. Mr Howard claimed Sir John had failed to do this, so never validly inherited Corby Castle and should not have benefited from its sale.

Lady Justice Proudman ruled in the High Court that Sir John had validly inherited the property. Her decision was upheld by Lady Justice Arden, Lord Justice Richards and Lord Justice Patten sitting in the Court of Appeal, who awarded Sir John £22,000 costs. Mr Howard, a business consultant, claimed his father, whose original surname was Lawson, had 'forfeited' his right to inherit the castle in 1961 by neglecting the terms of the will. But Sir John, who represented himself, insisted he had begun to use the name before the end of January 1962. The baronet also claimed the family was forced to sell Corby Castle when Philip Howard got into financial difficulties after taking on a major part of the estate. However, the case is not over as Mr Howard has applied to take it to the Supreme Court.

Lady Justice Arden said as she handed down her judgment that it was a 'very sad case' as the father and son had fallen out in a 'very bitter dispute'. The three judges agreed Mr Howard was trying to recover what he thought was his 'rightful inheritance' but that Sir John had 'sufficiently complied' with the terms of the will. They awarded £22,858 costs against Mr Howard.

The Howard family have previously been embroiled in a royal scandal, when, in 1572, Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, was beheaded for treason after scheming to marry Mary Queen of Scots.

His third son, William, bought Corby Castle in Cumbria, in 1611, and for nearly four centuries it passed down through ten generations, reaching Sir John in 1961.

The Howard and Lawson families were combined when Corby Castle passed to Philip Canning Howard's sole heir, his daughter Ursula. She married Sir John's grandfather, Sir Henry, the third baronet in 1899.

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Antoine de Massy 1997-2026

2026-10-26T21:56:56.505+00:00

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco have expressed their sadness following the death of Antoine de Massy, aged 29, a member of the extended Princely Family.

Antoine de Massy.

Antoine de Massy was the grandson of Princess Antoinette, the elder sister of Prince Rainier III, and had a connection with the peerage in her descent from the Dukes of Hamilton & Brandon.

In its statement, the Prince’s Palace said that Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene shared in the grief of Antoine de Massy's family and loved ones, extending their sincere condolences during this difficult time.

The Prince’s Palace did not provide any further details about the circumstances of his death.

Antoine de Massy was born 15 January, 1997, son of Christian Louis de Massy y Grimaldi de Monaco (born 17 January, 1949), and his fourth wife Cécile Gelabale (born 1968).

His descent from the the Dukes of Hamilton:-

The 11th Duke of Hamilton (1811-63) > Lady Mary Douglas-Hamilton (1850-1922) > Louis II, Prince of Monaco (1870-1949) > Charlotte Grimaldi, Duchess of Valentinois (1898-1977) > Princess Antoinette of Monaco (1920-2011) > Christian de Massy (b 1949) > Antoine de Massy (1997-2026)

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Charles Rowland Marriott 1936-2026

2026-10-26T00:02:00.000+00:00

Charles Rowland Marriott died 17 October, 2026. He was 90.

He was born 5 February, 1936, the son of Rowland Arthur Marriott (1899-1992), of Cotesbach Hall, Leicestershire, and his wife the former Evelyn Alice Ursula Caillard (1907-1982).

He was a great-grandson of the 4th Earl Temple of Stowe (1847-1902).

He married at Winchester, 4 April, 1964, Susan Erica Savill (born 1941), daughter of Kenneth Edward Savill (1906-2007), of Alresford, Hampshire, descended from the Jerningham baronets, and his wife the former Jacqueline Salusbury Hughes (1913-1980), by whom he had issue, Charles Edward Salusbury Marriott (born 1967, married to a Camilla Shand, no relation of the Queen), Hester (born 1969), and Anna (born 1973).

4th Earl Temple of Stowe > Lady Gertrude Temple-Gore-Langton > Evelyn Caillard > Charles Marriott

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Simon Roger Dixon Burdett 1948-2026

2026-10-26T00:01:00.000+00:00

Simon Roger Dixon Burdett died 10 October, 2026. He was 78.

He was born in 1948, a son of Peter Dixon Burdett (1925-2007), and his wife the former Diana Elizabeth Oatley (1926-2022); and married 1976, Lucy Mildred Fegen (born 24 March, 1953), daughter of John Charles Fegen, RNVR, DSC (1916-2006), and his wife the former Phyllis Mildred Swann (1919-2010), scion of the Swann baronets, granddaughter of Sir Charles Swann, 1st Baronet, PC ( 1844-1929).

He leaves issue, a son, Jonathan, and two daughters, Chloë (wife of Urs Brugger), and Kitty.

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The 8th Baron Clanmorrris 1937-2026

2026-10-24T10:32:13.415+01:00

The Baron Clanmorris died 1st October, 2026. He was 88.

He was the 8th Baron Clanmorris of Newbrook, co. Mayo [Peerage of Ireland., created 1800], and had been a peer for 38 years.

Before completing National Service Simon Bingham served as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1957–1958. In 1961 he graduated from Queens' College, Cambridge, earning a Bachelor of Arts and later becoming a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Simon John Ward Bingham was born 25 October, 1937, son of the 7th Baron Clanmorris (1908-1988), and his wife the former Madeleine Mary Ebel (1912-Feb 1988), a novelist and playwright.

He succeeded his father, 6 August, 1988.

Simon's sister was Charlotte Bingham (1942-2025), the novelist, playwright, scriptwriter.

The 8th Baron Clanmorris married 28 August, 1971, Gizella Maria Zverkó, daughter of Zandor Zverkó, of Budapest, by whom he had a daughter, Dr the Hon Lucy Bingham (born 15 January, 1974).

Having no male issue he is succeeded by his kinsman, (Robert) Derek De Burgh Bingham (born 29 October, 1942).

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De Castellane/Dawson engagement

2026-10-24T01:10:00.000+01:00

Comte Boniface de Castellane.

The engagement was announced 24 October, 2026, between Comte Boniface Louis Albert Charles de Castellane (born London, October, 1993), elder son of Comte Bernard de Castellane,of Esparron de Verdon, Provence, and his wife the Lady Charlotte-Anne Montagu Douglas Scott (born 9 January, 1966), and Miss V.G. (Emily) Dawson, daughter of John Dawson, of Aldeburgh, Suffolk, and Mrs Dawson.

Comte Boniface de Castellane is a maternal grandson of the late 9th Duke of Buccleuch & Queensberry, KT (1923-2007).

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Albert Hieronymus Fromanteel Lytton Cobbold (born 2026)

2026-10-24T01:01:00.000+01:00

The Hon Mrs Edward Lytton Cobbold (née Meyer-Johann), wife of the Hon Edward Lytton Cobbold (born 23 April, 1992), gave birth to a son and heir, Albert Hieronymus Fromanteel, 14 October, 2026, a brother for Hermione Elizabeth, who was born 17 October, 2024.

Edward Lytton Cobbold is the son and heir of the 3rd Baron Cobbold (born 12 May, 1962), of Knebworth, Hertfordshire, and his wife the former Martha Frances Boone.

Mrs Cobbold is the former Helena Meyer-Johann, daughter of Frau Dr Ulrike and Herr Dr Carsten Meyer-Johann, of Enger, Germany.

The Cobbold peerage was created in 1960 for Edward's great-grandfather, Cameron Fromanteel Cobbold, KG, GCVO, PC, Governor of the Bank of England 1949-61, and Lord Chamberlain to Queen Elizabeth II 1963-1971.

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Riddell-Webster/Jones engagement

2026-10-24T01:00:00.000+01:00

The engagement was announced 24 October, 2026, between Thomas Sheridan Riddell-Webster (born July, 1995), scion of that landed gentry family, son of Major-General Michael Lawrence Riddell-Webster (born 1960), head of that family, of Perthshire, and his wife the former Sarah Mariah Clottilde Findlay (born 1962), & Darcey Kate Jones (born 1995), daughter of Richard Jones, of Herefordshire, and his wife nee __Dobel.

Thomas Riddell-Webster is a great-great grandson of Sir Alexander Sprot, 1st Baronet, and Sir Frederick Meyrick, 2nd Baronet

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Nicola Jane Meinertzhagen 1946-2026

2026-10-23T09:00:00.000+01:00

Nicola Jane (Nikki) Meinertzhagen died 15 October, 2026.

She was the widow of Peter Richard Meinertzhagen, scion of a wealthy merchant banking dynasty, and scion of that landed gentry family of Mottisfont Abbey, Romsey and Brockwood Park.

She was born in 1946, as Nicola Jane Phillips, daughter of Edward John Stanley Phillips (died circa 2008), of Old Place, Boveney, Berkshire, by his wife Edith Ruth Jane Lampard (1912-2003).

She married 19 April, 1967, Peter Richard Meinertzhagen (born 16 Apri, 1946), son of Daniel Meinertzhagen (1915-1991), was one of four so-called "Colonels" (managing partners) who ran the merchant banking house of Lazards — in a style so relaxed that he habitually snoozed at his desk after lunch with a copy of The Times over his face, and argued against competitive "touting for business".

Peter's mother was Marguerite Josephine Leonard (1914-2003)

Her husband was born into an Anglo-German dynasty which had been prominent in the City since a Daniel Meinertzhagen from Bremen married the daughter of another émigré, Frederick Huth, and became a partner in his London banking house in 1833. Though Huth & Co lost much of its trade-finance business during the First World War and closed in 1936, the Meinertzhagens became part of the City establishment — and lived in appropriately grand style at Mottisfont Abbey in Hampshire.

Peter’s uncle Luke Meinertzhagen (1916-84), was senior partner of Cazenove, while another uncle, Sir Peter Meinertzhagen (1920-99), ran the Commonwealth Development Corporation.

Her husband died 28 November, 2012, aged 66.

Nikki Meinertzhagen leaves four daughters, Candida, Lara, Natasha, and Alicia. A fifth daughter, Petra, predeceased her in 2010.

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Allen/Ruck Keene engagement

2026-10-23T01:01:00.000+01:00

The engagement was announced 23 October, 2026, between Sean C. Allen, son of Mr Patrick Allen and the late Mrs Allen, of Thursley, Surrey, and Daisy Valentine Ruck Keene (born 23 May, 1996), scion of that landed gentry family, daughter of Jonathan George Ruck Keene (born 3 June, 1953), of Chipping Warden, Northamptonshire, and his wife the former Laura Carolyn Schomberg (born 17 July, 1950), scion of that landed gentry family.

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Christopher Hugo Niall Burges-Lumsden of Pitcaple 1937-2026

2026-10-22T12:45:11.748+01:00

Christopher Hugo Niall Burges-Lumsden of Pitcaple, who died 15 October, 2026, aged 89, was head of that landed gentry family of Pitcaple, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire.

He was born 1 June, 1937, the only son of Capt.Patrick Claud Burges, JP [afterwards Burges-Lumsden] (1905-1984), late the Coldstream Guards, scion of that Irish landed gentry family, and his wife Margaret FitzGerald Lumsden [later Burges-Lumsden] (1905-1982), of Pitcaple Castle, Aberdeenshire.

He succeeded his mother as head of the Scots landed family, in 1982.

He married 3 October, 1964, Pernille Marianne Westergaard (who died 24 February, 2024), daughter of Benedict Westergaard, of Bernstorffsvej, 5, Copenhagen, Denmark, by whom he had a son, James Benedict Burges-Lumsden (born 16 July, 1966), and two daughters, Marina and Anna.

His wife was a close friend of HM Queen Margrethe II of Denmark.

His only son succeeds to the headship of the landed family.

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Ann Clementine Calver (nee Bailey) 1936-2026

2026-10-22T02:00:00.000+01:00

(Ann) Clementine Calver died 8 October, 2026, aged 89.

She was born 31 October, 1936, the eldest daughter of Commander Richard James Bailey, OBE, RN (who died 26 January, 1969), and his wife the former Rosemary Ann Freeman-Mitford (1911-2005), scion of the Barons Redesdale.

She married 19 June, 1964, Peter Calver (1934-2002), son of Sir Henry Robert Sherwood Calver, QC (who died 3 July, 1963).

No issue of the marriage.

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Marion, Countess of Eglinton & Winton 1942-2026

2026-10-22T01:23:00.000+01:00

Marion Carolina, Countess of Eglinton & Winton, who died 19 October, 2026, aged 84, was the widow of the 18th Earl of Eglinton & (6th) of Winton.

She was the former Marion Carolina Dunn-Yarker, scion of that landed family, born in the Cotswolds, 27 August, 1942, daughter of John Henry Dunn-Yarker, of Leyburn Hall, Co York, by his wife the former Adrienne Elizabeth Pinching.

She married 7 February, 1964, Archibald George Montgomerie, styled Lord Montgomerie (born 27 August, 1939), son of the 17th Earl of Eglinton & 5th Earl of Winton (1914-66), by his wife the former Ursula Joan Watson (d 1987).

Her husband succeeded his father in the peerages, 21 April, 1966. He was Assistant Grand Master, United Grand Lodge of England, 1989-95. The family home was Balhomie, Cargill, Perth,

Her husband was 18th Earl of Eglinton (created 1506/1615 by letters patent); 6th Earl of Winton (UK, 1859); 19th Lord Montgomerie (Peerage of Scotland, cr 1448); 7th Baron Ardrossan (Peerage of the UK, cr 1806); and Hereditary Sheriff of Renfrewshire, Chief of the Name and Arms of Montgomery, &c.

She was widowed , 14 June, 2018. The countess leaves issue, four sons, Hugh, the 19th Earl, the Hon William, the Hon James and the Hon Robert Montgomerie.

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The Hon Mrs Mark Agar 1953-2026

2026-10-22T01:01:00.000+01:00

The Hon Mrs Mark Agar, who died 9 October, 2026, aged 73, was the wife of the Hon Mark Agar, scion of the Earls of Normanton.

She was the former Arabella Clare (Bella) Gilbey, born 14 July, 1953, daughter of John Gilbert Gilbey (1917-1982), a former High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, scion of the Gilbey baronets, and his wife the former Angela Ruth Barwick (1916-1986), scion of the Barwick baronets.

She married 1stly, 16 July, 1977, Thomas Charles Blackwell. She married 2ndly, 8 February, 1985, the Hon Mark Sidney Andrew Agar (born 2 September, 1948), second son of the 5th Earl of Normanton (1910-1967), and his 2nd wife the former Lady Fiona Pratt (1911-1985), daughter of the 4th Marquess Camden, GCVO (1872-1943).

From her first marriage she leaves a daughter, Clare Blackwell, and from her second marriage, two sons, Max (born 6 April, 1986), and Charles (born 29 July, 1989).

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Ruth, Baroness Morris of Kenwood, CBE 1932-2026

2026-10-21T01:27:00.000+01:00

Ruth, Baroness Morris of Kenwood, CBE, died 14 October, 2026. She was 94.

She was a trailblazing lawyer who became one of the first female senior partners at a major London law firm.

Ruth, Lady Morris of Kenwood.

She was born in 1932, as Ruth Joan Gertrude Rahle Janner, daughter of the former MP Barnett Janner, a life peer as Baron Janner (1892-1992), and his wife the former Elsie Sybil Cohen, CBE (who died 1994).

She was a sister of the politician Greville Janner, later a life peer as Baron Janner of Braunstone (1928-2015).

Ruth, Lady Morris of Kenwood was well known for her charity work, including her roles as a trustee of the Jewish Youth Fund and a patron of the Jewish AIDS trust. She also served as President of the Habonim Dror youth group; she received a CBE in 2014 for her services to the community.

After having been evacuated to Canada during the war by her parents, who feared that the Nazis were going to invade Britain, she subsequently returned to the UK, entering the legal profession and joining her family’s law firm, which subsequently merged with another firm. In an interview a decade ago, she described being made a senior partner, “but they wouldn’t call me Senior Partner, they would only call me Chairman of Partners, because I was a woman.”

She married 9 September, 1958, Philip Geoffrey Morris the 2nd Baron Morris of Kenwood (born 18 June, 1928), son of the 1st Baron Morris of Kenwood (1893-1954), and his wife the former Florence Isaacs (who died 1982).

Her husband died 2 December, 2004, aged 76.

Ruth Morris leaves issue, a son, Jonathan, 3rd Baron Morris of Kenwood (born 5 August, 1968), and tehree daughters, Diane (born 25 Jan, 1960), Caroline (born 23 Apr, 1961), and Linda (born 28 Apr, 1965).

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Hon Jennifer Smith-Bingham 1938-2026

2026-10-21T01:10:00.000+01:00

The Hon Jennifer Smith-Bingham, who died 16 October, 2026, aged 87, was a scion of the Viscounts Chilston.

She was born Jennifer Akers-Douglas, 30 October, 1938, daughter of Ian Stanley Akers-Douglas (1909-1952), and his 1st wife, Joan Holroyd Toms.

Jennifer was a half-sister of the 4th Viscount Chilston (born 5 September, 1946), and was raised to the rank of a viscount's daughter in 1995.

She was twice married - firstly, on 24 June, 1958, to George David Henry Wiggin ( born 1 Dec, 1934), scion of the Wiggin baronets, son of Lt-Col Peter Milner Wiggin (1907-1994), and his wife Margaret Frances Livingstone-Learmonth, scion of that landed gentry family. Her first husband died in 1990.

She married 2ndly, in 1993, as his third wife, Charles Arthur Smith-Bingham (1931-2003), scion of that landed gentry family, son of Arthur Turberville Smith-Bingham, and his wife the former Jean Garland.

She leaves issue from her first marriage, two sons, David and James, and a daughter, Davina.

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Sir Lionel Eldred Peter Smith-Gordon, 5th Baronet 1935-2026

2026-10-21T01:06:00.000+01:00

Sir Lionel Eldred Peter Smith-Gordon, 5th Baronet died 18 October, 2026, aged 91.

He was born 7 May, 1935, son of Sir Lionel Eldred Pottinger Smith-Gordon, 4th Baronet (1889-1976), and his 2nd wife the former Eileen Laura Adams-Connor (who died 1979_.

He succeeded to the baronetcy (created UK, 1838), upon his father's death, 1976.

He married 2 February, 1962, Sandra Rosamund Ann Farley, daughter of Wing Commander Walter Ronald Farley, DFC (1909-1942), and his wife the former Maisie Selina Peta Coast (who died 2010).

He is survived by Lady Smith-Gordon, and by a son, Lionel George Eldred (born 1 July, 1964), who now succeeds as 6th baronet, and a daughter, Isobel Charlotte Laura (born 17 Aug, 1966).

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Everett/Saunders Watson engagement

2026-10-21T01:05:00.000+01:00

The engagement was announced 21 October, 2026, between (Roger) Charles Hans Everett (born 14 March, 1995), eldest son of Richard S.H. Everett (born 1961), of Hamptworth, Wiltshire and his wife, the former Charlotte Anne Fiennes-Cox (born 1965), & Eleanor Liebe Grace Saunders Watson (born 3 May, 1995), the eldest daughter of James Michael Ross Saunders Watson (born 14 September, 1961), of Rockingham Castle, Leicestershire, and his wife the former Elizabeth Maryann Brown.

Eleanor is descended from the Marquesses of Normanby, and the Culme-Seymour baronets.

Eleanor's father succeeded to the Rockingham Castle estate on the death of her grandfather, Commander Michael Saunders Watson, 8 November, 2022. The castle has been the Watson home for 450 years

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Amelia Charlotte Tweedie (born 2026)

2026-10-21T01:02:00.000+01:00

Heather Tweedie (née Hanlon), wife of Oliver John F. Tweedie ( born 1988), gave birth to a daughter, Amelia Charlotte, 3 September, 2026, a sister for Isabelle Olivia (born 2024).

Oliver is the second son of Simon Vere Tweedie (born 26 May, 1954), of Moffat, Dumfriesshire, and his wife the former Margaret Mary O'Kelly (who died 26 May, 2026).

Oliver is a grandson of Vere Justin Tweedie, MC (1914-1993), and his 1st wife the former Anne Temple Githa Hoare (1916-1986), scion of the Hoare baronets.

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Blair Mary Louise Tweedie (born 2026)

2026-10-21T01:01:00.000+01:00

Elle Tweedie (née McPherson-Yoon), wife of Angus Vere Tweedie (born 1985), gave birth to a daughter, Blair Mary Louise, 21 September, 2026.

Elle is the only daughter of Mr Oh Jang Yoon and Mrs Chantal McPherson, of Ontario, Canada.

Angus is the elder son of Simon Vere Tweedie (born 26 May, 1954), of Moffat, Dumfriesshire, and his wife the former Margaret Mary O'Kelly (who died 26 May, 2026).

Angus is a grandson of Vere Justin Tweedie, MC (1914-1993), and his 1st wife the former Anne Temple Githa Hoare (1916-1986), scion of the Hoare baronets.

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Morrison/FitzGerald engagement

2026-10-20T02:00:00.000+01:00

The engagement was announced 20 October, 2026, between Geordie Anthony Morrison (born 14 September, 1989), son of the Hon Hugh Morrison (born 7 November, 1960), of East Ilsley, Berkshire, and his former wife (Cecilia) Jane Jenks (born 1963, now Mrs Paul Hearn), of Lambourn, Berkshire, and Charlotte Elizabeth FitzGerald (born 1993), daughter of Michael FitzGerald, of Golant, Cornwall, and his wife the former Sarah M.M. Burgess (born 1961).

Geordie Morrison is a grandson of the late 2nd Baron Margadale, DL, JP (1930-2003).

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Anthony Julian Robarts 1937-2026

2026-10-20T01:54:44.309+01:00

(Anthony) Julian Robarts died 12 October, 2026. He was 89.

He was born in April, 1937, son of Anthony Vere Cyprian Robarts (1910-1982), of Fellyard Slapton, Towcester, Northamptonshire, and his wife the former Grizel Mary Grant (1914-2004), daughter of Maj-Gen Sir Philip Gordon-Grant, KCB, CMG (1869-1943), and his wife Annette Emily Mary Coventry (1884-1963), scion of the Earls of Coventry, descended from the 6th Earl.

He married at Chelsea in April, 1961, Edwina B. Hobson (born July, 1941), by whom he had issue, two sons, Charles (born 1962), and David (born 1964), and a daughter, Katherine Mary (Kate), (born 1966).

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Sir John Gordon Hannam, Kt 1929-2026

2026-10-20T01:45:00.000+01:00

Sir John Hannam, who died 8 October, 2026, aged 97, was the Conservative MP for Exeter, 1970-1997.

He was born 2 August, 1929, son of Thomas William Hannam, by his wife the former Selina Young.

He married 1sty, 1956, Wendy Macartney, by whom he had two daughters, and married 2ndly, 1983, as her second husband, Mrs Vanessa Irene Wauchope (born 10 March, 1940), former wife of John Edward Robert Wauchope, and daughter of Wing Commander Henry Adelbert Anson (1895-1955), scion of the Earls of Lichfield, and his second wife the former Muriel Irene Smith (1908-1996).

Hannam was knighted in 1992.

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David Peter Aykroyd 1937-2026

2026-10-20T01:01:00.000+01:00

David Peter Aykroyd, who died 9 October, 2026, aged 89, was a scion of the Aykrotd baronets, of Lightcliffe (created UK, 1920).

He was born 6 June, 1937, the third son of Colonel George Hammond Aykroyd, TD (1900-1972), of The Priory, Nun Monkton, York, by his wife (and kinswoman) the former Margaret Roberts Aykroyd (1903-1981).

He was a younger brother of Sir Michael David Aykroyd, 4th Baronet (1928-2010), and uncle of Sir Henry Aykroyd, 5th Baronet (born 4 April, 1954).

He married 1stly, 30 October, 1958, Lydia Huldine Beamish (1939-2004), second daughter of Richard Pigott Beamish, of Castleyons, County Cork (of an Irish landed family), and his wife the former Ernestine Marguerite Hitchmough.

He married 2ndly, 2005, as her third husband, his brother John's widow, Mrs Lavinia Mary Aykroyd (nee Beasley, born 17 February, 1945), daughter of Patrick Thomas Beasley (1906-1982), and his wife Lady Alexandra Mariota Flora Egerton (1919-1991), daughter of the 6th Earl of Wilton (1896-1927).

By his first wife he had issue, a son, Nicholas William (1962-1989), and three daughters, Amanda Huldine (born 2 June, 1960), Emily Sorrel (born 9 Nov, 1970), wife of Lue Fenwicke-Clennellm scion of that landed gentry family, and Matilda Rose (born 15 March, 1978), Viscountess Clanfield, wife of Ashton Peel, Viscount Clanfield, son and heir of the 3rd Earl Peel, GCVO.

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