Patrick Hope-Johnstone, 11th Earl of Annandale and Hartfell facts for kids

Patrick Andrew Wentworth Hope-Johnstone, 11th Earl of Annandale and Hartfell was born on April 19, 1941. He is a Scottish nobleman. In 1983, he became the leader, or chief, of Clan Johnstone. Three years later, his right to be called an Earl was officially recognized.

He was a member of the House of Lords from 1986 to 1999. This is a part of the UK Parliament. He also worked at Lloyd's of London, a famous insurance market, from 1976 to 2004. He served on local councils in Dumfriesshire and Dumfries and Galloway. He was also the Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Dumfries, a special representative of the King or Queen in the area.

About His Family

Patrick Hope-Johnstone is the son of Major Percy Wentworth Hope-Johnstone and Margaret Hunter-Arundell. His father passed away in 1983. Patrick went to school at Stowe School and later studied at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester.

In 1969, he married Susan Ross. She is the daughter of Walter John Macdonald Ross. Patrick and Susan have one son and one daughter:

• David Patrick Wentworth Hope-Johnstone, Lord Johnstone (born 1971). He married Penelope Jane Macmillan in 2001. They later divorced in 2020. They have a son named Percy (born 2002) and two daughters, Anna (born 2003) and Rose (born 2009). David also has a son named Kit (born 2019) with his partner Sarah Sherlock.
• Lady Julia Claire Hope-Johnstone (born 1974). She married Andrew Lindsay Curtis Barnard. They have three children together.

Becoming Clan Chief and Earl

In 1983, Patrick became the chief of the Clan Johnstone. This means he became the leader of his family clan. He also became the traditional steward of Annandale. He is also the hereditary keeper of Lochmaben Castle.

His family had a long-standing claim to the title of Earl of Annandale and Hartfell. Patrick continued to work on this claim. His father was the heir through the eldest daughter of the second Earl. Previous attempts to claim the title had been turned down. However, Patrick found an old royal document from 1662. This document helped to prove his family's right to the earldom.

The Committee for Privileges, a special group, recognized his claim. In 1986, he was officially called to the House of Lords as the Earl of Annandale and Hartfell.

His Career and Public Service

Patrick Hope-Johnstone was very active in public service. From 1970 to 1975, he served on different committees for Dumfrieshire County Council. He was a member of the Dumfries and Galloway Council from 1974 to 1986.

From 1984 to 1986, he advised the Secretary of State for Scotland on property valuations. In 1987, he was appointed a deputy lieutenant for Dumfries. Later, in 1992, he became the Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Dumfries.

Work in Business and Trusts

From 1976 until 2004, he was an underwriting member at Lloyd's of London. This means he helped to take on financial risks for insurance. He was also a director for Bowrings Members Agency from 1985 to 1988. After that, he worked for its successor company, Murray Lawrence, until 1992.

Patrick Hope-Johnstone also served on the Solway River Purification Board from 1970 to 1986. This board worked to keep the rivers clean. From 1981 to 1984, he was the chairman of the Royal Scottish Forestry Society. This group promotes good forest management. In 1983, he joined the Annan Fishery Board.

From 1984 to 1988, he chaired the Royal Jubilee Trust and The Prince's Trust for Dumfries and Galloway. These trusts help young people and support good causes.