John Dalrymple, 14th Earl of Stair facts for kids

John David James Dalrymple, who is the 14th Earl of Stair, was born on September 4, 1961. Since 2008, he has been a member of the House of Lords. He sits as a "crossbencher," which means he doesn't belong to any specific political party.

About Lord Stair

Lord Stair is the oldest child of John Dalrymple, the 13th Earl of Stair. His mother, Davina Katherine Bowes-Lyon, was born in 1930 and passed away in 2017. Davina was the daughter of David Bowes-Lyon, who was the brother of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. This means Lord Stair's mother, Davina, was a first cousin to Queen Elizabeth II. Because of this, Lord Stair is a second cousin to The King, The Princess Royal, The Duke of York, and The Duke of Edinburgh.

Lord Stair went to Harrow School and then to RMA Sandhurst, which is a famous military academy. He served in the army with the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards. He also took part in the Falklands War.

His Role in Politics

When Lord Stair inherited his title in 1996, he became a member of the House of Lords. This is the second chamber of the UK Parliament. He chose to sit as a crossbencher, meaning he works independently and not with a political party.

In 1999, a new law called the House of Lords Act 1999 changed how the House of Lords worked. This law removed the right for most hereditary peers (people who inherited their titles) to sit in the House. However, 92 peers were allowed to remain. They were chosen by other peers. Lord Stair was not elected at that time.

Later, in 2008, another election was held after a peer passed away. Lord Stair was then elected to join the House of Lords. On October 13, 2011, he gave a speech during a discussion about aviation.

His Family Life

Lord Stair married Emily Mary Julia Stonor in 2006. Emily is the daughter of Ralph Stonor, 7th Baron Camoys.

They have two children:

• John James Thomas Dalrymple, Viscount Dalrymple (born January 3, 2008)
• Lady Elizabeth Alice Mary Lily Dalrymple (born July 24, 2012)