Police say Sir Ranulph Fiennes in suitable care as family raise isolation concerns

Sir Ranulph Fiennes, the British explorer and former SAS officer, has not been seen in public for about two years, and relatives say they do not know where he is or how to contact him. The 82-year-old was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019. He is known for crossing Antarctica on foot, climbing Mount Everest at 65, and being described as the world's greatest living explorer.

Concerns about his welfare have become public after reports that he has been admitted to a series of care homes under assumed names. His wife, Louise Millington-Coates, holds lasting power of attorney for him, granting her the legal right to make decisions about his care, health, and finances. Reports say the power of attorney was granted in 2024. She has not responded to the allegations. It is claimed that visitors have been banned, that his identity was kept secret, and that he used the pseudonym Ron Westwood while at one London care home. Reports also claim he was disguised with sunglasses and a hat when going out for walks, with a claim that he was an SAS veteran and a high target for extremists.

According to newspaper reports, a care home raised concerns with the authorities earlier this year. The Care Inspectorate of Wales is said to have found that Sir Ranulph was being deprived of his liberty unlawfully because no deprivation of liberty safeguards order was in place. A care home owner had told his wife that such an order was required and repeated reminders were sent, the reports say. The Care Inspectorate of Wales has not commented on individual cases but said providers must apply to the local authority for a deprivation of liberty safeguards authorisation and notify the inspectorate when an application is made.

Sir Ranulph is then said to have been moved across the border into England, to Cheshire, where a different regulatory regime applies. Cheshire Police said they are aware of concerns but are satisfied he is living in an appropriate setting with suitable care and professional oversight. The force said no immediate safeguarding concerns had been identified.

Family members are considering a legal challenge to the power of attorney held by his wife. His stepson, Alexander Millington-Coates, said he last saw Sir Ranulph about two years ago and wants the power of attorney removed from his mother and placed with one or several people who have his best interests at heart. He said his relationship with his mother is extremely difficult and that she has blocked his phone number. He believes Sir Ranulph may be at a farm in Shropshire but is not certain, and said he understands Sir Ranulph has moved around about five times in a year. A crowdfunding campaign is being pushed to support efforts to help him.

Sir Ranulph's former sister-in-law, Arabella Pepper, who was a bridesmaid at his wedding to his first wife, Ginny, said she managed to see him for an hour in July last year. She discovered where he was and booked herself into the care home for respite care. She found him using the name Ron Westwood. She said he told her he was fine in the mornings but became fuzzy at lunchtime. According to her account, he asked her to send a message to everyone: send them my love, tell them I love them, and tell them I am longing to see them. A receptionist later told her that Ron Westwood was no longer a resident.

Legal experts note that removing a power of attorney is not straightforward. Simply being unhappy with the attorney's conduct is not enough; misconduct must be proved for a court to remove them. Sir Ranulph's literary agency, Curtis Brown, said it has had no direct contact with him for two years and has found it very difficult to contact anyone associated with his business or books. It said it wishes him all the best. There are also reports that King Charles has tried to contact his friend but has not been able to. Sir Ranulph's current whereabouts remain unknown.