Actor Joseph Fiennes Made Secret Visit to Explorer Cousin Sir Ranulph Fiennes at Care Home

Actor Joseph Fiennes made a secret visit to his cousin, the renowned British explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, at a care home in west London last July. Sir Ranulph, 82, who has Parkinson's disease, was reportedly staying under the pseudonym 'Ron Westwood' at the KYN Hurlingham care home.

Arabella Pepper, Sir Ranulph's former sister-in-law, was also visiting the care home on the same day. She told The Times that Sir Ranulph's "face just lit up like a spotlight" upon seeing the actor, known for his role in "Shakespeare in Love." Pepper, along with artist cousin Susannah Fiennes, joined Sir Ranulph and Joseph Fiennes in a private room.

This visit occurred as concerns mounted regarding Sir Ranulph's isolation. In January, Joseph Fiennes wrote to the Office of the Public Guardian, expressing worries that his cousin was being cut off from friends and family. "All his friends and family want to see him and take him Toblerones and cheer him up, but we don't know where he is, and he's not available, he's not accessible - that's what worries us," Pepper told BBC Newsnight.

Sir Ranulph has not been publicly seen since October 2024, when he appeared in a pre-recorded video at a gala organized in his honor, apologizing for not being well enough to attend in person. His whereabouts became a mystery after he failed to appear at this event. He is now believed to be back at his isolated farm in Shropshire, with the property reportedly secured by a 6ft-high security gate.

Revelations indicate that Sir Ranulph has been staying in various care facilities under a false name, a measure reportedly implemented on the instructions of his wife, Louise Millington-Cotes. Pepper claimed that Sir Ranulph's wife has demanded that friends and family sign non-disclosure agreements when attempting to arrange visits.

Sir Ranulph's stepson, Alexander Millington-Cotes, has launched a crowdfunding appeal to initiate legal action against his mother to contest the power of attorney. He expressed distress at seeing his relative, who is not an isolated person by nature, now subjected to such isolation.

Reports from a care home in rural Wales suggest that strict measures were enforced, including Sir Ranulph being confined to his room, prohibited from socializing, and barred from communal spaces. He was allegedly required to wear sunglasses and a hat when leaving his quarters to prevent recognition.

Documents obtained by the Daily Mail indicate that the owner of the Welsh care home raised concerns about unorthodox medication arrangements and the validity of a 'Do Not Resuscitate' document provided by Lady Fiennes. The Care Inspectorate of Wales later found that Sir Ranulph was being unlawfully "deprived of his liberty" due to a lack of authorization for his residence.

These developments have led to considerable concern among Sir Ranulph's family and friends, who are demanding an investigation into his living situation. They have also accused the Office of the Public Guardian of disregarding repeated requests to look into the explorer's welfare.

Michael Kobold, a friend of Sir Ranulph for over 30 years, shared footage showing a frail Sir Ranulph walking with a frame in what appears to be a stable, directed by his wife. Lady Fiennes was heard singing "heigh ho, heigh ho, it's off to work we go" in the background. Kobold also posted an image of Sir Ranulph in an armchair, appearing frail and covered by a blanket, holding what looked like a bed pan. He described the situation as a "national disgrace" and a failure of the system.

King Charles has reportedly taken an interest in the case, given his friendship with Sir Ranulph. However, an attempt by the King's equerry to contact Lady Louise was reportedly met with a request to "back off."