Michael Abney-Hastings, 14th Earl of Loudoun facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Earl of Loudoun
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| Born |
Michael Edward Lord
22 July 1942 Sussex, England
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| Died | 30 June 2012 (aged 69) Jerilderie, New South Wales, Australia
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| Alma mater | Ampleforth College |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Title | Earl of Loudoun |
| Spouse(s) |
Noelene McCormick
(m. 1969) |
| Children | 5, including Simon Abney-Hastings, 15th Earl of Loudoun |
| Parent(s) |
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Michael Edward Abney-Hastings, 14th Earl of Loudoun (born Michael Edward Lord; 22 July 1942 – 30 June 2012) was a farmer from Australia. He became well-known because of a TV show in 2004. This show suggested he was the rightful King of England, not Queen Elizabeth II. From 1960 to 2002, he was known by the special name Lord Mauchline.
Michael was born in England. He went to school at Ampleforth College in Yorkshire. As a teenager, he moved to Jerilderie, New South Wales, in Australia. There, he became a rice farmer. He was a direct descendant of George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Clarence. George was the younger brother of Edward IV of England. The TV show argued that if Edward IV was not the true king, then George's family should have inherited the throne.
Michael Abney-Hastings passed away on 30 June 2012 in New South Wales, Australia.
Early Life and Family History
Michael Abney-Hastings was born in Sussex, England. His parents were Captain Walter Strickland Lord and Barbara Abney-Hastings, 13th Countess of Loudoun. His birth name was Michael Edward Lord. Later, in 1946, his name was officially changed to Michael Edward Abney-Hastings.
He lived in Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire as a child. He studied at Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire. When he was 18, he moved to Australia.
Who Was the Real King?
In 2004, a TV documentary called Britain's Real Monarch was shown. It was on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom. The show claimed that Michael Abney-Hastings was the true King of England. This was because he was the oldest living descendant of George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Clarence.
The show's argument had two main points:
- First, they claimed that Edward IV of England was not a legitimate (true) son of his father. They said his father, Richard of York, 3rd Duke of York, was not around when Edward was thought to have been born.
- Second, they argued that the English crown should have passed down differently. They believed it should have gone through the family line, favoring boys but also including girls if there were no sons. This is different from how it usually passed down, which was only through sons.
Also, after Henry VI became king again, he said Edward was not the rightful heir. He named George, Duke of Clarence, as the next in line after Henry VI and his children.
His Thoughts and Family
Michael Abney-Hastings was an Australian republican. This means he believed Australia should not have a king or queen. He was not interested in becoming king himself. He found the idea amusing, but he did not use his royal title in public.
He had two sons and three daughters with his wife, Noelene Margaret McCormick. They married in 1969. His oldest son, Simon, inherited his father's title after Michael passed away.
His children are:
- Lady Amanda Louise Abney-Hastings (born 1969)
- Lady Lisa Maree Abney-Hastings (1971–2012)
- Simon Michael Abney-Hastings, 15th Earl of Loudoun (born 1974)
- Lady Rebecca Lee Abney-Hastings (born 1974)
- The Hon. Marcus William Abney-Hastings (born 1981)
Michael Abney-Hastings also served his local community. He was a councillor for the Jerilderie Shire. He was first elected in 2004 and again in 2008.
