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Evening Standard
· collected 2026-09-28 · by Press Association Reporters
King Charles attempted to reach out to his friend Sir Ranulph Fiennes after being alerted to concerns about the 82-year-old adventurer's health and isolation by fellow explorer Anton Bowring in February last year. However, according to The Telegraph, Sir Ranulph’s wife Louise Millington-Cotes blocked the King’s efforts to contact them. Friends of Sir Ranulph have expressed concern and called for an investigation into his wellbeing.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-28,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Based on the articles provided, there are several key points about the situation involving Sir Ranulph Fiennes:
- Health and Welfare Concerns: Friends and family members are expressing deep concern for Sir Ranulph's well-being due to his isolation from public life since he last appeared more than two years ago. He has Parkinson’s disease.
- Movement Between Care Homes: It is reported that Louise Millington-Cotes, Fiennes' second wife who holds power of attorney over him, has given her husband a false name and moved him between various care homes. This suggests a lack of transparency regarding Sir Ranulph's location and condition.
- Potential Legal Issues: A Care Inspectorate reportedly concluded earlier this year that Sir Ranulph had been unlawfully deprived of his liberty by Ms Millington-Cotes due to inadequate legal safeguards being in place during his placement in care homes.
- Family Disputes and Efforts for Reconciliation: Alexander Millington-Cotes, the stepson who is estranged from his mother, has initiated a crowdfunding campaign aiming to raise £55,000 to hire lawyers to locate Sir Ranulph and restore his free will. He claims that his mother's influence over his stepfather has been controlling for more than two decades.
- Royal Involvement: It appears King Charles attempted to contact or assist Sir Ranulph but was reportedly blocked by Ms Millington-Cotes, who reportedly told the Palace to "back off." The monarch had previously expressed concern and a desire to help after being informed about Fiennes' declining health condition by a mutual friend.
- Public Outcry and Support: Notable figures within the exploration community, including Bear Grylls and Ben Fogle, are supporting efforts to locate Sir Ranulph and address any issues related to his welfare and rights.
- Calls for Government Involvement: There have been calls from political figures for an inquiry into potential failings by regulatory bodies overseeing care homes, such as the Office of the Public Guardian, which oversees individuals with power of attorney over vulnerable adults like Sir Ranulph.
- Media Attention: The case has garnered significant media attention, highlighting public concern and support for locating Sir Ranulph Fiennes and ensuring his rights are protected.
In summary, this situation highlights a complex interplay between health concerns, legal guardianship issues, family disputes, and potential regulatory oversights affecting the welfare of an elderly person with Parkinson’s disease who is living under undisclosed conditions.
Written for “Ranulph Fiennes Welfare Concerns” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 12 other(s) covering the same event.
The King was reportedly blocked as he tried to check on the wellbeing of his long-time friend, the adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, after being alerted to concerns about his declining health and isolation.
uncertain
he → block → health
Charles was left “most concerned” about 82-year-old Sir Ranulph, who has not been seen in public for two years, after fellow explorer Anton Bowring wrote to him in February last year asking for his help, The Telegraph revealed.
asserted
Telegraph → leave → help
But Sir Ranulph’s wife Louise Millington-Cotes was said to have blocked the King’s attempts to reach out, the newspaper said.
asserted
newspaper → say → attempts
The Press Association understands Bowring sent a letter to the monarch’s principal private secretary Sir Clive Alderton, saying Sir Ranulph was “in a very poor state” and had been in the care of his wife since the previous September and that his friends were worried.
asserted
friends → understand → September
The King’s then-equerry Commander William Thornton contacted Bowring later the same month saying Charles wanted to write to Sir Ranulph, Ms Millington-Cotes and their daughter Elizabeth to express his concern and see if there was anything he could do anything to help.
He also asked for Ms Millington-Cotes’ phone number, but she reportedly fired off angry text messages to Bowring after Buckingham Palace was given her details.
uncertain
Palace → contact → details
Famous friends of Sir Ranulph, including Bear Grylls, Ben Fogle, Joanna Lumley, John Simpson and Monty Don have spoken out about the situation in recent weeks, with growing calls for an investigation into his wellbeing by both the police and the Office of the Public Guardian.
asserted
friends → include → Guardian
Survivalist Grylls declared “Ran we are coming!” and called him a “true British icon”, and said reports of his isolation and treatment in care homes were “deeply disturbing”.
asserted
reports → declare → homes
Sir Ranulph is said to have been moved to care homes in Wales and Cheshire in the past year under an assumed identity, but his current whereabouts are unknown.
asserted
whereabouts → say → identity
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