Ranulph Fiennes' Stepson Seeks to Strip Wife of Power Amid Explorer's Unknown Whereabouts

The stepson of renowned explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes is seeking to strip his wife of power of attorney, alleging draconian measures have kept the 82-year-old adventurer in isolation in care facilities under a false name. Sir Ranulph's whereabouts have been unknown to his family and friends for nearly two years, sparking widespread concern.

Alexander Millington-Cotes has initiated a crowdfunding appeal to fund a legal case against his mother, Louise Millington-Cotes, Lady Fiennes. He aims to remove her authority, which grants her control over her husband's financial affairs, property, health, and welfare. "My personal ambition would be to just see that power taken away from my mother and transferred to someone that would ensure his wishes are respected," Millington-Cotes told The Times. He expressed a desire for his stepfather to have "complete freedom" to socialize and engage in activities like going out for coffee.

Revelations indicate that Sir Ranulph has been residing in various care homes under an alias, often with restrictions that confine him to his room and prevent social interaction. Documents reviewed by the Daily Mail suggest the owner of a care home in rural Wales raised concerns about unorthodox medication arrangements and the validity of a 'Do Not Resuscitate' order provided by Lady Fiennes. The care home owner described the situation as leaving Sir Ranulph without clinical oversight for 49 days, as no local doctor saw him.

Sir Ranulph Fiennes, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019, was last publicly seen in a pre-recorded video in October 2024, where he apologized for not attending a gala in his honor due to not being "well enough." Since then, close friends have struggled to contact him, intensifying fears for his safety and well-being. Arabella McIntyre-Brown, sister of Sir Ranulph's late first wife, Ginny, conveyed similar worries to The Daily Telegraph, stating, "We - Ran's family and close friends - have been very concerned for his safety and mental wellbeing [and the fact he has] been isolated for so long."

During one year, Sir Ranulph was moved between five different facilities, including four care homes and a hotel. His wife, 23 years his junior, was granted lasting power of attorney around the time of the National Geographic tribute. While such arrangements can be common given a person's declining health, the Care Inspectorate of Wales reportedly concluded that Sir Ranulph was being unlawfully "deprived of his liberty" as Lady Fiennes lacked the specific authorization for his residence.

Lady Fiennes also reportedly failed to provide requested medication lists from a doctor, insisting that Sir Ranulph continue with his private GP in London. She supplied all of his medication, with some antibiotics administered in her name, not his. Staff refused to alter medication dosages without a written prescription, leaving the home without local medical supervision. The current whereabouts of Sir Ranulph are once again unknown.