The power, glamour and wealth of being a British Prime Minister doesn’t end when he or she leaves office, as these sprawling dynasties prove.
Tatler has revealed the descendants of Prime Ministers who continue to hold sway and boast stunning social connections decades – and sometimes hundreds of years – after the end of their ancestor’s premiership.
Harry Dalmeny, only son and heir of the 7th Earl of Rosebery — and great-grandson of the 5th Earl who famously achieved his three ambitions of owning a winner of the Derby, marrying an heiress and becoming Prime Minister — is chairman of Sotheby’s and has hosted auctions for A-list charity gals and political fundraisers.
And his teenage daughter Delphi, who is a triplet, is poised to step into the spotlight as a model for international agency Storm, famous for discovering Kate Moss.
Society bible Tatler has unveiled its pick of the most glamorous dynasties established by British Prime Ministers, from the star-studded Asquiths to the creative Gladstones (pictured, Back row, from left; PM William Gladstone’s descendants include Jack, Kinvara, Caroline (mother), and Felix. Front row, from left; India, Charlie (father), Tara, and Xanthe
Archibald Philip Primrose’s descendants include 18-year-old Marina and 17-year-old triplets Lavinia, Celeste and model Delphi, who has just been signed by international agency Storm (pictured left to right, Celeste, Marina, Delphi and Caspian)
Among the impressive Churchill dynasty is photographer Harry, 36, who sells yachts to oligarchs in Monte Carlo
There are showbiz connections in the other clans, too. Helena Bonham-Carter, is a great-granddaughter of Herbert Henry Asquith, who was PM from 1908 to 1916 and TV historian Dan Snow is a descendant of Lloyd George.
Among David Lloyd George’s other accomplished descendants is Lara Prior-Palmer, who in 2013 became the first woman to win the Mongol Derby, the world’s longest horse race, as well as the youngest person ever to complete it.
She is far from alone in taking joys in a rural life. Xanthe Gladstone is a ‘chef and grower’ living in North Wales.
Others have stayed in the city and become power players in London.
Sir Robert Peel’s great-great-grandson William Peel has been the Lord Chamberlain since October 2006 and is the most senior official in the Royal Household.
Then there is Sir Nicholas Soames, among the most high profile descendants, who followed his grandfather Sir Winston Churchill into politics.
Here, more of the dynasties for you to discover…
THE ROSEBERYS
Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery, was PM and married Hannah de Rothschild in 1878
FOUNDER: Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery
WHO YOU NEED TO KNOW: Sotheby’s chairman Lord Dalmeny, the great-grandson of the 5th Earl and his model daughter Delphi who is tipped for fame.
Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery, was Prime Minister from March 1894 to June 1895.
He succeeded in his dream of marrying an heiress and tied the knot with Hannah de Rothschild – then Britain’s richest woman and a member of the glittering banking dynasty – in 1878.
A high society hostess, Hannah delighted in throwing huge parties at Dalmeny House, which sits in rolling parkland west of Edinburgh.
Now Dalmeny House is home to their grandson, Neil Archibald Primrose, the 7th Earl of Rosebery. The Earl and his wife, Alison Reid, have four daughters and a son.
It is their son, and youngest child, Harry Primrose, Lord Dalmeny, who is heir to the title and family seat.
Lord Dalmeny is chairman of auction house Sotheby’s and has connections to the royal family: in 2013, Lord Dalmeny rode in the Queen’s carriage at Royal Ascot.
He has lent his talent to charity and political fundraising auctions, including a British Film Institute gala attended by guests including Hugh Grant, Olivia Colman, Gemma Arterton, Danny Boyle, and Dame Joan Collins.
Lord Dalmeny, Harry Primrose who is the only son and heir of the 7th Earl of Rosebery, is the son of Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery,
Lord Dalmeny was married to Caroline Daglish until 2014. The couple share four daughters and a son, including triplets Lavinia, Celeste and model Delphi. Pictured, siblings Celeste, Delphi and Caspian
Lord Dalmeny was married to Caroline Daglish until 2014. The couple share four daughters and a son, including triplets Lavinia, Celeste and model Delphi.
After his divorce, Lord Damleny entered into a relationship with effervescent former model Martha Sitwell, although the pair parted ways in 2019.
Now his daughter Delphi is poised to make a splash on the modelling scene. She was recently signed to Storm.
THE GLADSTONES
Four-times Liberal prime minister of Great Britain, Gladstone was one of the dominant political figures of the Victorian era
FOUNDER: William Gladstone
WHO YOU NEED TO KNOW: Gladstone’s great-great grandson Charlie, a father-of-six who oversees Hawarden and an estate in the Scottish Highlands. His daughter Xanthe is a chef and grower who has been profiled by Tatler.
William Gladstone served as Prime Minister for 12 years spread over four terms beginning in 1868 and ending in 1894.
He was one of the dominant political figures of the Victorian era and a passionate campaigner on a huge variety of issues, including home rule for Ireland.
Gladstone’s descendants still live at Hawarden Castle, Flintshire, which had belonged to his wife’s family.
The couple had eight children, and the trend for big broods continues today.
The current resident of Hawarden Castle is Gladstone’s great-great grandson Charlie Gladstone and his wife Caroline, who have six children.
The current resident of Hawarden Castle is Gladstone’s great-great grandson Charlie Gladstone and his wife Caroline, who have six children. Pictured, Charlie with daughter India and son Jack
Among the siblings is Xanthe, 25, who graduated from Edinburgh University three years ago, and moving to London to make her mark in marketing, before returning to the family home
Xanthe studied at the prestigious Ballymole cookery school in Ireland where she slaughtered chicken, learnt about sustainability and foraged vegetables
The couple also own the sprawling Glen Dye estate in Aberdeenshire, which they bought in 1990 and where they chose to raise their children.
Among them is Xanthe, 25, who graduated from Edinburgh University three years ago, and moving to London to make her mark in marketing. She often hosted dinner parties at her parents’ Notting Hill coffee shop, Pedlars, with guests including the Queen’s distant cousin Flora Vesterberg (nee Ogilvy).
But she grew unhappy with city life and returned to North Wales in 2019. The 25-year-old went on to study at prestigious Ballymole cookery school in Ireland where she slaughtered chicken, learnt about sustainability and foraged vegetables.
She now works as a ‘chef and grower’ and oversees food for her father’s Scottish holiday cottage business.
Among her siblings are India Price, 29, who is a writer, lecturer and psychotherapist in training; Kinvara, 23, who graduated from University of Bristol with a degree in film and television, works as a photographer, graphic designer and illustrator; and Tara, 28, who works as creative project manager for a fashion brand.
Their brother Jack, 31, recently became a father for the first time and youngest brother Felix, 20, studies at the University of Edinburgh.
THE CHURCHILLS
Of Britain’s Prime Ministers, Winston Churchill has left behind one of the biggest dynasties
FOUNDER: Sir Winston Churchill
WHO YOU NEED TO KNOW: Churchill’s grandson, Sir Nicholas Soames, great-grandchildren Harry Soames, who sells yachts to wealthy Monte Carlo residents, and successful interior designer Flora Soames.
Sir Winston Churchill, who was Prime Minister from 1940 to 1945, during the Second World War, and again from 1951 to 1955, left behind a lasting political legacy – and a sprawling family dynasty.
Sir Winston and his wife Clementine had five children, including journalist and MP Randolph Churchill and Mary, Baroness Soames.
Randolph had two children before his death in 1968. His daughter Arabella, who met the likes of the Kennedys and Martin Luther King, was The Deb Of The Year in 1967 but went on to reject the values and lifestyle associated with her family name.
She ran away to join a group of hippies and was instrumental in founding Glastonbury.
For her part, Mary had five children, the most famous of whom is Sir Nicholas Soames, the former Tory MP and friend of Princess Diana. Her Emma was a magazine editor and ex-girlfriend of Martin Amis, while Charlotte went on to marry into the Peel dynasty.
Churchill’s daughter Mary Soames welcomed a brood of children, including Sir Nicholas Soames, former MP and friend of Princess Diana (pictured with Prince Charles)
Perhaps one of Churchill’s most success descendants is Flora Soames, 38, who is an interior decorator with a blossoming business (pictured, far left)
Among the impressive Churchill dynasty is photographer Harry, 36, who sells yachts to obligarchs in Monte Carlo (left)
Mary’s grandchildren – and Sir Winston’s great-grandchildren – are also a highly
Mary’s grandchildren are also a highly impressive bunch, including photographer Harry, 36, who sells yachts to obligarchs in Monte Carlo.
In 2014 Harry was banned from driving for a year after crashing his BMW while still almost double the drink-drive limit.
Mary’s granddaughter Flora Soames, 38, is an interior decorator with a blossoming business. Flora, who has been named among House and Garden’s Top 100 interior designers, revealed last year she plans to create a cookbook with her father Jeremy.
Tatler also pointed to ‘charmers’ Arthur, 30, who studied at Oxford and military academy Sandhurst, and Jack, 26, master of Radley College Beagles.
THE LLOYD GEORGES
David Lloyd George served as PM from 1916 to 1922, and his family remain involved with modern political figures
THE FOUNDER: David Lloyd George, 1st Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor
WHO YOU NEED TO KNOW: Horsewoman Lara Prior Palmer, who won the Mongol Derby; historian Dan Snow, historian and professor Margaret MacMillan.
David Lloyd George served as Prime Minister from 1916 to 1922.
He had five children and his descendants remain influential today.
His great-great grandson Fred Lloyd George, the son of the current Earl of Dwyfor, was in the Welsh Guards and now works for the Tony Blair Institute.
Meanwhile Fred’s brother William, Viscount Gwyneed, is an ex-Guardian journalist who works in renewable energy.
Earl Lloyd George’s sister Julia is a jeweler married to Simon Prior Palmer, with two handsome sons, George and Arthur and a daughter Lara, 19, who won the ultra-tough Mongol Derby as the youngest ever champion and the first ever women.
His niece Alice is tech venture capitalist, having attended Princeton in America, before moving to Asia to report for the Wall Street Journal.
Canadian professor and historian Margaret MacMillan as well as historian and presenter Dan Snow are also descendants of the family.
Descendants include Lieutenant Frederick Lloyd George, who is the great great Grandson of Lloyd George, attends a reception at Clarence House hosted by the Duchess of Cornwal (left) and (right) Earl Lloyd George’s niece Alice is tech venture capitalist, having moved to America to attend Princeton, and moving to Asia to report for the Wall Street Journal after college.
Lara Prior-Palmer, 19, who won the ultra-tough Mongol Derby as the youngest ever champion and the first ever women
THE ASQUITHS
The dynasty’s founding father was Herbert Henry Asquith, who was PM from 1908 to 1916, ennobled as the 1st Earl of Oxford and Asquith in 1925
THE FOUNDER: Herbert Henry Asquith
WHO YOU NEED TO KNOW: Great-granddaughter Helena Bonham Carter, great-grandson Sir Dominc Asquith
The dynasty’s founding father was Herbert Henry Asquith, who was Prime Minister from 1908 to 1916, ennobled as the 1st Earl of Oxford and Asquith in 1925.
He had seven children, including war poet Henry Asquith and distinguished Oxford scholar Raymond Herbert Asquith.
His daughter Lady Violet Bonham Carter was a close friend of Sir Winston Churchill and is the grandmother of actress Helena and Jane Bonham Carter, Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury.
The current generation of Asquiths includes Herbert Henry’s great-grandson Raymond, 3rd Earl of Oxford and Asquith.
He sits in the House of Lords and has five children, the youngest of whom turns 20 this year.
His other great-grandson, Sir Dominic Asquith, is a career diplomat and former Ambassador to Iraq, Egypt, and Libya.
Sir Dominic’s children include travel maverick Gabriela, who regularly shares snaps as she jets across the globe with husband Adam Mowafi. She founded travel brand Story Unheard, which promises the ‘dreamiest luxury blowouts’.
Sir Dominic’s son Tom, who describes himself as a location scout and shirt maker, recently married socialite Lucy Carr-Ellison, co-founder of upmarket eatery and catering business Wild By Tart.
Lucy’s business partner is Jemima Jones, wife of Ben Goldsmith, and their restaurant served as the venue for Lady Gabriella Windsor’s star-studded wedding reception in 2019.
Meanwhile Tom’s sister is travel maverick Gabriela, who regularly shares snaps as she jets across the globe with husband Adam Mowafi (left and right)
Tom Asquith who describes himself as a location scout and shirt maker, and recently married socialite Lucy Carr-Ellison (pictured)
Descendants of the Asquiths clan include Four Weddings and A Funeral actress Anna Chancellor (right) and Helena Bonham Carter (left)
THE PEELS
While the visionary statesman Sir Robert Peel may be best known for establishing the Metropolitan Police in 1829, his family are also an impressive bunch
THE FOUNDER: Sir Robert Peel
WHO YOU NEED TO KNOW: Great-great grandson William Peel, former Lord Chamberlain; Oldie editor Harry Mount
While the visionary statesman Sir Robert Peel (who served as Prime Minister from 1834–1835 and 1841–1846) may be best known for establishing the Metropolitan Police in 1829, his family are also an impressive bunch.
Great-great-grandson William Peel is a member of the House of Lords and served as Lord Chamberlain from 2006 until March 2021.
He is married to Charlotte Soames, granddaughter of Sir Winston Churchill, making the family a true political powerhouse.
Another descendant of Sir Robert Peel is Oldie editor Harry Mount, who is also a second cousin to David Cameron.
Great-great-grandson William Peel was Lord Chamberlain (pictured with the Queen in 2008)
THE ABERDEENS
THE FOUNDER: George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen
WHO YOU NEED TO KNOW: Alexander Gordon, 7th Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair and his trailblazing daughter Lady Mary
George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen, was Prime Minister between 1852 and 1855.
He was married twice and had nine children. The family line continues today, more than 160 years after Hamilton-Gordon’s death.
His descendant Alexander Gordon, is 7th Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair and a father of four.
The Marquess, whose family have held land in Aberdeenshire for more than 500 years, was appointed in 1998 as a Deputy Lieutenant, one of the Queen’s representatives in the Scottish county.
Lady Anna Gordon became the first lesbian aristocrat to marry when she tied the knot with Sarah McChesney in 2017. Pictured together
Lady Anna’s brother Lord Sam Dudley Gordon is married to PR manager Isobel Tatham, and the couple have two children
His daughter Lady Anna Gordon became the first lesbian aristocrat to marry when she tied the knot with Sarah McChesney in 2017.
Lady Anna proposed in 2016. ‘What a weekend,’ a delighted Lady Anna said online after she proposed to Sarah. ‘Asked the love of my life to marry me and she said Yes — phew!’
Lady Anna, who works for Prince Charles as a business development manager at his Prince’s Trust charity, later announced her engagement formally by placing a notice in the Daily Telegraph, in keeping with upper-class tradition.
Lady Anna’s brother Lord Sam Dudley Gordon is married to PR manager Isobel Tatham, and the couple have two children.