King Charles personally tried to contact his long-standing friend Sir Ranulph Fiennes after becoming alarmed about his declining health — only to be blocked by the explorer's wife, who threatened those who alerted the Palace with solicitors and the police.
The remarkable revelation has emerged as concern grows for the 82-year-old adventurer, who has not been seen in public since late 2024 and whose current whereabouts are unknown to friends and family alike. Sir Ranulph, who has Parkinson's disease, has reportedly been moved between a succession of care homes under an assumed name by his wife and legal guardian, Louise Millington-Cotes, 59, who was granted lasting power of attorney over him in November 2024.
The King's Concern
The two men have been friends for more than 45 years, their bond stretching back to at least the late 1970s. It was in February last year that Anton Bowring — a fellow adventurer who took part in the Transglobe Expedition with Sir Ranulph between 1979 and 1982, of which the King was patron — wrote to Sir Clive Alderton, the King's private secretary, to raise the alarm. Bowring informed the King that his friend was "in a very poor state" and had been in his wife's care since the previous September.
The King's equerry at the time, Commander William Thornton, responded swiftly, contacting Bowring to ask how Charles could reach Sir Ranulph directly.
"He said the King was most concerned and would really like to write to Ran, Louise and their daughter Elizabeth to express his concern and see if there was anything he could do to help. He asked how he could communicate that to Ran, and asked if I had Louise's phone number," Bowring told The Telegraph.
Bowring provided Mrs Millington-Cotes's number, believing Sir Ranulph would be thrilled to know the King cared so deeply. The response was anything but warm. According to reports, Mrs Millington-Cotes was furious that the Palace had been given her contact details, threatened Bowring with a solicitor and the police, and told those involved to "back off", claiming they were causing her husband "immense distress". She did not put the King in touch with Sir Ranulph.
Alarming Allegations
The situation surrounding Sir Ranulph's care has become increasingly troubling. A care home owner in Wales, where the explorer was reportedly placed for seven weeks this year, told The Telegraph that several concerns about his wellbeing had been reported to the authorities, including the police. The newspaper also claimed to have seen an email from a care watchdog stating that Sir Ranulph was being unlawfully kept in care homes and was unable to consent to his own care or treatment.
Mrs Millington-Cotes is also said to have told friends that the King hated her husband and that Queen Camilla had helicopters fly over their property to annoy them — claims that have not been substantiated.
At first, friends were permitted to visit Sir Ranulph if they signed non-disclosure agreements. Since the start of 2026, however, Mrs Millington-Cotes has not told family or friends where he is being kept.
A Public Outcry
Sir Ranulph's stepson, Alexander Millington-Cotes, who is Mrs Millington-Cotes's estranged son, has spoken out publicly against his own mother. He has launched a GoFundMe campaign to fund a legal challenge aimed at stripping her of her power of attorney, raising more than £18,000 so far. He is also calling for an investigation into his stepfather's whereabouts after being unable to see him for more than a year, and claims that West Mercia Police and Cheshire Constabulary have ignored his pleas for help.
Several prominent British adventurers have added their voices to the chorus of concern. Bear Grylls said he and others had been "desperately trying to connect with Ran for a year now to no avail," describing Sir Ranulph as "a true British icon" and "a humble warrior." Ben Fogle said he was "deeply disturbed" by the reports and called on the Office for the Public Guardian and police to investigate.
"Horrified to hear what's happened to my good friend Ran Fiennes. He's the world's bravest man, and he's vulnerable. We must know what's happening to him," BBC foreign correspondent John Simpson wrote on X.
Buckingham Palace has been approached for comment. West Mercia Police and Cheshire Constabulary have also been contacted. The Office of the Public Guardian has yet to respond publicly to the calls for a formal investigation into whether Mrs Millington-Cotes is correctly discharging her duties as Sir Ranulph's legal guardian.
