Simon Abney-Hastings, 15th Earl of Loudoun facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Right Honourable
The Earl of Loudoun
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The Earl of Loudoun in 2023
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| Tenure | 2012–present |
| Predecessor | Michael Abney-Hastings, 14th Earl of Loudoun |
| Born | Simon Michael Rawdon Francis Abney-Hastings 29 October 1974 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Locality | Wangaratta, Victoria |
| Heir | The Hon. Marcus Abney-Hastings |
| Parents | Michael Abney-Hastings, 14th Earl of Loudoun |
Simon Michael Abney-Hastings, born on October 29, 1974, holds an old Scottish noble title. He is the 15th Earl of Loudoun. Before 2012, he was known as Lord Mauchline. He is a British aristocrat who lives in Australia.
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About the Earl of Loudoun
The Earl of Loudoun is the son of Michael Abney-Hastings. His father was the 14th Earl of Loudoun. Simon became the Earl in 2012 after his father passed away. He lives in a town called Wangaratta in Victoria, Australia.
His brother, the Hon. Marcus William Abney-Hastings, was born in 1981. He is the next in line to inherit the title. This means he is the heir presumptive.
A Role in the Coronation
In 2023, Simon Abney-Hastings had a special role. He was chosen by King Charles III to carry one of the gold spurs. These spurs are symbols of knighthood and bravery. He presented them to the King during his coronation.
Simon Abney-Hastings was the only Australian to have an official part in this important royal event. He was very happy to be asked to carry the large golden spurs. This part of the ceremony has been happening for a very long time. It dates back to the coronation of Richard I, also known as Richard the Lionheart, in 1189.
He is also a Catholic. He supports the idea of making his ancestor, Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury, a saint. This process is called canonization.
Supporting Groups and Causes
The Earl of Loudoun supports many different groups and causes. He is a patron or president for several organizations. Here are some of them:
- Hereditary Governor and Patron of Repton School in Derbyshire, England.
- Patron of Ashby de la Zouch Museum.
- Patron of the Friends of Loudoun Kirk.
- President of the Board of Governors for St Andrew's First Aid Australia.
- Patron of the Melbourne Highland Games in Australia. These games used to be called the Ringwood Highland Games.
- Patron of the Clan Campbell Society of Australia.
- Patron of the Barnet 1471 Battlefields Society.
- Patron of the Australia Day Council in Victoria, Australia.
- Protector of the Order of St Thomas of Acre.
- He was honored as a Kentucky Colonel in 2022. This is a very high honor in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, USA.
- He is an esteemed friend of the Loudoun Museum in Leesburg, Loudoun County, Virginia, USA.
- He was the Chieftain of the Day for the Brigadoon Highland Games in Bundanoon, NSW, in both 2022 and 2023.
- He was also the Chieftain of the Day for the Aberdeen Highland Games in 2023.
Family History and the Royal Throne
Simon Abney-Hastings has a very interesting family history. Through his grandmother, Barbara Huddleston Abney-Hastings, he is directly related to George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Clarence. George was the brother of two English kings, Edward IV and Richard III. Simon is considered the "heir-general" of George Plantagenet. This means he is the most direct descendant through all lines.
An Alternative Royal Claim
In 2004, a TV show called Britain's Real Monarch talked about a different idea. It suggested that Simon's father, Michael Abney-Hastings, was the true King of England. This idea is based on a claim that King Edward IV was not a legitimate heir. If that were true, then the royal line would have gone through George Plantagenet instead.
If this alternative path of succession were followed, Simon Abney-Hastings would have become the rightful monarch of England after his father's death. This would mean he would be the current King instead of Charles III. Simon Abney-Hastings knows about this claim to the throne. However, he has said that he is a loyal supporter of the late Queen Elizabeth II and her son, King Charles III. Even with this discussion in the media, he was invited to the coronation of King Charles III.
