Sir Ranulph Fiennes Reportedly Kept Illegally in Care Homes

Sir Ranulph Fiennes, the celebrated retired explorer and author, has reportedly been held in a series of care homes illegally over the past two years, according to a recent report. His wife, Louise Millington-Cotes, is accused of placing him in various facilities under a false name and imposing strict conditions on his care.

The mystery surrounding Fiennes' whereabouts began when he failed to appear at a gala in his honor on October 23, 2024. He has not been seen in public since, appearing only in a brief pre-recorded video at the event. He was reportedly cared for at a London care home last year, where visitors were allegedly required to sign non-disclosure agreements. He was later moved to facilities in Wales and Cheshire.

Concerns were raised by the owner of one care home in Wales, who alerted authorities and the police to Fiennes' welfare. The owner reportedly wrote to the Office of the Public Guardian, expressing reservations about the legitimacy of a "do not resuscitate" document provided by Millington-Cotes and other medical provisions.

In January, a care watchdog concluded that Sir Ranulph was being "unlawfully deprived of his liberty" because his wife had not followed the necessary legal protocols. The watchdog found that Fiennes was under "continuous supervision and control" and was "not free to leave and is not able to consent to care, treatment and accommodation." The care home owner had informed Millington-Cotes of the illegality, but she reportedly did not wish for a Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) order to be obtained. Even after Fiennes was removed from the facility, the required order had not been acquired.

At the Welsh care home, Millington-Cotes allegedly employed a private carer to manage Fiennes' medication instead of registering him with a GP. She also reportedly instructed the carer to ensure Fiennes wore a hat, sunglasses, and gloves to prevent recognition when he was taken for walks. The "do not resuscitate" order provided by Millington-Cotes could not be validated.

Friends of Sir Ranulph have previously expressed concern for his safety, alleging that his wife withheld his location and denied them visitation. Fiennes had previously spoken publicly about the challenges of living with Parkinson's disease.

Millington-Cotes, who married Fiennes after the death of his first wife in 2004, is reportedly in dispute with his other family members and friends over his care. Some reportedly are considering legal action to challenge her guardianship.