King Charles III Attempted to Contact Sir Ranulph Fiennes But Was Allegedly Blocked by Explorer's Wife
The monarch's equerry reportedly faced resistance from Sir Ranulph's wife, Louise Millington-Cotes, when attempting to inquire about the explorer's well-being.
King Charles III reportedly attempted to contact the acclaimed explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, only to be blocked by the explorer's wife, Louise Millington-Cotes, who allegedly became angered when her contact details were shared.
Sir Ranulph, 82, who has Parkinson's disease, has not been publicly seen for over two years. Friends, including Bear Grylls, have expressed concern and are reportedly seeking to locate him. According to reports, Sir Ranulph has been moved between care homes under an assumed name, and the Care Inspectorate has concluded he has been unlawfully deprived of his liberty.
King Charles was said to be "most concerned" after being alerted to Sir Ranulph's declining health and isolation. An intermediary, who had been contacted by the King's equerry, reportedly provided Millington-Cotes's phone number to the Palace, believing Sir Ranulph would be pleased the King cared. However, Millington-Cotes allegedly became incensed that her details were passed on and threatened the intermediary with legal action, telling them to "back off" and claiming they had caused her husband "immense distress."
Sir Ranulph, often described as the world's greatest living explorer, has an extensive list of achievements, including completing seven marathons in seven days across seven continents and climbing Mount Everest at the age of 65, four years after suffering a heart attack.
His stepson, Alexander Millington-Cotes, has stated he has been unable to persuade authorities to investigate the explorer's situation. Fellow adventurers Bear Grylls and Ben Fogle have publicly supported calls for action. A crowdfunded legal campaign initiated by Alexander Millington-Cotes has reportedly raised over £15,000.
Friends and a business associate have also claimed that Sir Ranulph previously mentioned only being allowed short periods away from Millington-Cotes, who reportedly gained lasting power of attorney over him in 2024. Other notable figures, including Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Monty Don, have voiced their concerns, emphasizing Sir Ranulph's right to see friends and family and enjoy the respect earned from his lifetime of accomplishments.
Millington-Cotes has not publicly commented on the allegations. Buckingham Palace has been approached for comment.