James Graham, 8th Duke of Montrose facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Duke of Montrose
OStJ
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Official portrait, 2018
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| Member of the House of Lords | |
| as a hereditary peer 26 May 1995 – 11 November 1999 |
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| Preceded by | The 7th Duke of Montrose |
| Succeeded by | Seat abolished |
| as an elected hereditary peer 11 November 1999 |
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| Election | 1999 |
| Preceded by | Seat established |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
James Graham
6 April 1935 Southern Rhodesia |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouse | |
| Children | Lady Hermione Thornhill James, Marquess of Graham Lord Ronald Graham |
| Parents | Angus Graham, 7th Duke of Montrose Isabel Veronia Sellar |
James Graham, 8th Duke of Montrose, born on April 6, 1935, is a Scottish nobleman and politician. He holds a special title that he inherited from his family. He is also a member of the Conservative Party. He works in the House of Lords, which is part of the UK Parliament.
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Who is James Graham?
James Graham is known by his title, the 8th Duke of Montrose. Before he became Duke, he was known as the Earl of Kincardine and later the Marquess of Graham. He is a hereditary peer, which means he inherited his title and his right to be in the House of Lords from his father.
His Early Life
James Graham was born in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) on April 6, 1935. His father was setting up a farm there at the time. James went to boarding school in Scotland. He studied first in Aberdeenshire and then at the Loretto School near Edinburgh.
In 1978, he received an honor called Officer of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem (OStJ). In 1986, he also served as a Brigadier in the Royal Company of Archers. This is a ceremonial group that acts as the monarch's bodyguard in Scotland.
His Family Life
On January 31, 1970, James Graham married Catherine Elizabeth MacDonell Young. Catherine was from Ottawa, Canada. She passed away on October 29, 2014.
James and Catherine had three children:
- Lady Hermione Elizabeth Graham (born 1971). She is married to Christopher John Thornhill and has her own children.
- James Alexander Norman Graham, Marquess of Graham (born 1973). He is married to Cecilia Manfredi.
- Lord Ronald John Christopher Graham (born 1975). He is married to Florence Mary Arbuthnott and they have two sons.
His Role in Politics
The Duke of Montrose is a member of the Conservative Party. He became a member of the House of Lords when his father passed away in 1992. The House of Lords is the second chamber of the UK Parliament. Its members discuss and make laws.
After a new law in 1999 (the House of Lords Act 1999), most hereditary peers lost their automatic right to be in the House of Lords. However, 90 of them were chosen or elected to stay. The Duke of Montrose was one of these special peers who continued to serve. He is one of only a few dukes who remained in the House of Lords after this change.
Working with Other Countries
Before the 2010 general election, the Duke of Montrose was a shadow minister for the Scotland Office. This means he was part of the opposition party. He would have become a minister if his party had won the election.
He has also spent time in China. There, he worked to promote renewable energy and environmental protection. He is also fluent in Mandarin, which is a Chinese language.
