Charles Palmer-Tomkinson

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Charles Palmer-Tomkinson

Charles Palmer-Tomkinson
Born January 4, 1940 (1940-01-04) (age 68)
Hampshire, England
Occupation landowner
Spouse Patricia Palmer-Tomkinson

Charles Anthony Palmer-Tomkinson (born January 4, 1940)[1], is an English landowner, a former English skier, and a close friend of Prince Charles.

Contents

[edit] Olympian

Charles Palmer-Tomkinson was a competitor in the 1964 Winter Olympics in the Giant Slalom and Downhill events. Other members of his family were also Olympians. His father James competed in the 1936 and 1948 Winter Olympic Games, and died aged 36 in 1952 after a skiing accident. His brother, Jeremy, competed in the 1968, 1972, 1976 and 1980 Winter Olympics' in various events.

[edit] Landowner

The Palmer-Tomkinson family own substantial lands in and around Birstall, Leicestershire,[28] and Wanlip, Leicestershire, having inherited Wanlip Hall in that county [29][30]. Some of the lands were recently (circa 2001) sold with restrictions and covenants. (see Trivia below)

Charles Palmer-Tomkinson owns the 1,200-acre Dummer Grange estate near Basingstoke, Hampshire[2][3][4] The late Major Ronald Ferguson and his younger daughter Sarah, Duchess of York were very close neighbors at the 220-acre estate Dummer Down Farm.[31] He was appointed High Sheriff for Hampshire circa 2002, a reflection of his landowning status and his close connections to royalty.[5] He is regarded by some as a doyen of the country set. As of 2006, he and his wife currently live on their estate in Dummer, Hampshire. [6][32]

[edit] Friend of Prince Charles

Charles and Patricia (Patti) Palmer-Tomkinson have been close friends of Prince Charles since the Seventies.[7]

According to newspaper reports, Prince Charles even became godfather to the younger daughter Tara [8][9]. However, she is not listed as a godchild in other more reliable reports.[10] Charles and Diana visited their home in Birchall in 1986.

Charles was Prince Charles's ski instructor, according to newspaper reports.[11] This connection meant that the Palmer-Tomkinsons steadily accompanied Prince Charles, even after his marriage, on skiing holidays in Switzerland.

In 1988, Patricia Palmer-Tomkinson was severely injured, and almost died, in a skiing accident that claimed the life of one of their close friends (Major Hugh Lindsay, Royal Equerry), as well as injuring Prince Charles.[12][13] [14]. Major Lindsay and Mrs Palmer-Tomkinson were helicoptered to Davos, where Lindsay was declared dead and Patti found to have severe leg injuries. Her life was saved by her Swiss guide giving her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.[15]. She spent four months in a Swiss hospital.[16]

After Charles and Diana separated, the Palmer-Tomkinsons and their children continued to holiday with Prince Charles and his family three times a year; this royal friendship was responsible for propelling the younger daughter, Tara, into the public eye in 1994.[17]. As of 2004, the older Palmer-Tomkinsons continued to ski with the three princes.[18]

[edit] Family Background

Charles Anthony Palmer-Tomkinson (b. 1940) is the eldest son and child of James Algernon Palmer-Tomkinson and Doris Palmer-Tomkinson (formerly Doris Freidrich, of Basle, Switzerland))[19]. The father was a landowner, who was able to provide a separate house and estate for his elder daughter Jane, Lady Ingram, upon her marriage to a baronet.[33]

His paternal grandfather James Edward Palmer-Tomkinson, of Wanlip Hall, Leicestershire, changed the family name from Tomkinson to Palmer-Tomkinson in 1933.[20] He was the younger son of Rt. Hon. James Tomkinson, PC, MP for Crewe 1900-1910, and former High Sheriff for Chester in 1887,[21] and his wife Emily Frances Palmer, daughter of Sir George Joseph Palmer, 3rd Baronet. James Edward Palmer-Tomkinson inherited Wanlip Hall in Leicestershire from his maternal uncle Sir Archdale Robert Palmer, 4th and last Baronet, and thus changed his name in 1933.[22]

The Rt Hon James Tomkinson was a descendant of Lieutenant-Colonel William Tomkinson of Willington Hall (1790-1872)[23]

James Edward Palmer-Tomkinson (then Tomkinson) married Marion Lindsay Smith, daughter of Lindsay Eric Smith (a second cousin of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother via her Smith paternal grandmother Frances Dora Smith). His father's first cousin is the present Duchess of Grafton, wife of the present Duke of Grafton and Mistress of the Robes to Queen Elizabeth II, who was born (Anne) Fortune Smith; through other members of the Smith landed gentry family, the Palmer-Tomkinsons are well-connected to the British aristocracy.[24]

The Palmer-Tomkinsons appear to have sent their sons to Eton; certainly his father, and both his younger brothers are listed as having attended Eton although Charles's name is curiously missing from the list.

[edit] Family

Charles Palmer-Tomkinson is married to Patti, or the former Patricia Dawson. They have three children: James, Senta (the writer Santa Montefiore) (b. 2 February 1970)[25], and Tara (b. 23 December 1971), a socialite and TV celebrity. The two elder children are married, and have issue. Tara is as yet unmarried, but gained control of her trust fund in 2001 when she turned 30.[26]

Charles Palmer-Tomkinson has a younger brother Jeremy who was also a Winter Olympian between 1968 and 1980, and was High Sheriff of Hampshire from 1994 to 1995.[27]. Their father James Tomkinson, later Palmer-Tomkinson, was also himself a British Winter Olympian.

Another brother Christopher Palmer-Tomkinson (b. 1942), of Little Bentley, Colchester, Essex[34] is a senior company executive, formerly with Cazenove, and now with other companies.[35]; his wife Virginia Viola Palmer-Tomkinson is a Parish Councillor.[36] Christopher's son Dominic is also with the same company as his father, Highland Gold.[37]

[edit] Trivia

  • Charles Palmer-Tomkinson was one of the two trustees for the last will and testament of the late Earl of Shaftesbury who was murdered by his third wife and her brother. The will named that wife the main heir, but the fortune was to be overseen by two trustees.[28] Since a French court has convicted the widow, it is unlikely that she would benefit under British law.
  • Palmer-Tomkinson recently sold some land (circa 2001) at Hallam Fields, Birstall, Leicestershire to Jelston Builders for development as homes, schools, and community buildings over the next ten years.[38]. According to the Birstall Post, in April 2004, Palmer-Tomkinson continues to be a major local notable.[39][40]

[edit] References

  1. ^ This date of birth for Charles Palmer-Tomkinson does not match those given by Darryl Lundy on his genealogical website [www.thepeerage.com], or those given by British genealogist Michael Rhodes.
  2. ^ BBC In Depth: Newsmakers "Tara Palmer-Tomkinson: Still got It?" Friday, 30 August, 2002, 15:32 GMT 16:32 UK. Retrieved 5 June 2007.[1]
  3. ^ The house, Dummer Grange Farm, is described in 1920 as being a 2 storeys and attic house, built of brick with an old tiled roof. The front is E-shaped with flanking gables. It was built on the site of the 12th century Dummer Grange. No date is given for the late 17th century house as of 1920. [2]
  4. ^ "Dummer is located 8 kilometres to the south-west of Basingstoke, with the M3 motorway passing close to its north-eastern boundary. The village lies within the gently undulating landscape of the central chalk downlands." The village dates back to the 11th century at least, because it is mentioned in the Domesday Book.[3] Dummer Grange was owned by a different family until 1864, and it is not known when Charles Palmer-Tomkinson or his ancestors acquired the estate.[4]
  5. ^ BBC report ibid. Retrieved 5 June 2007.[5]
  6. ^ Lundy, Darryl. "Charles Anthony Palmer-Tomkinson" (b. July 1940). Retrieved 5 June 2007.[6]
  7. ^ Unknown. "Prince in fatal ski incident". The Guardian Friday 11 March 1988. [7] Retrieved 5 June 2007.
  8. ^ Boshoff, Alison. "Tarnished Tara: the past-It girl" Daily Mail 22 May 2006. Retrieved 5 June 2007.[8] ] Retrieved 5 June 2007
  9. ^ "Interview: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson: 'Going into the jungle saved my.." Sunday Mirror. [[14 November, 2004. [9] Retrieved 5 June 2007
  10. ^ Demoskoff, Yvonne. "Royal Godchildren: Godchildren of HRH The Prince of Wales"[10]. Retrieved 5 June 2005. Demoskoff relies upon the following article "The Chosen Ones", by Jason Cowley in The Times, 3 February 1997 (pp 16-17) and versions thereof for her lists.
  11. ^ BBC report ibid. Retrieved 5 June 2007.[11]
  12. ^ "Prince in fatal ski incident" The Guardian Friday 11 March 1988. [12]. Retrieved 5 June 2007]
  13. ^ BBC report ibid. Retrieved 5 June 2007.[13]
  14. ^ Prince in fatal ski incident | Special reports | Guardian Unlimited
  15. ^ Unknown. "1988: Avalanche hits royal ski party" BBC On This Day online. [14]. Retrieved 5 June 2007
  16. ^ Darrach, Brad, and others. " Prince Charles: A Dangerous Age". People, 31 October 1988. Subsequently part of the Diana special tribute in TIME[15]
  17. ^ Boshoff, Alison. "Tarnished Tara: the past-It girl" Daily Mail 22 May 2006. Retrieved 5 June 2007.[16]
  18. ^ Unknown. "William - 'Awesome' to ski again". BBC News International. Sunday, 28 March, 2004 12:16 GMT 13:16 UK. Retrieved 5 June 2007. [17]
  19. ^ Lundy, Darryl. "James Algernon Palmer-Tomkinson" (b. 3 April 1915, d. 7 January 1952). Retrieved 5 June 2007.[18]
  20. ^ Lundy, Darryl. "James Edward Palmer-Tomkinson" (b. 1879). Retrieved 5 June 2007.[19]
  21. ^ Lundy, Darryl. "Rt. Hon. James Tomkinson" (b. 1840, d. 1914). Retrieved 5 June 2007.[20]
  22. ^ [21] Retrieved 5 June 2007
  23. ^ Tomkinson, Rob. "Eminent Tomkinsons" [22]. October 2003. Retrieved 5 June 2007. According to this website, one Lt Col William Tomkinson (1790-1872) had seven children, of whom James Tomkinson, PC (great-grandfather of Charles Palmer-Tomkinson), was one child. The Lt Colonel bought Willington Hall in 1828. He was the son (presumably a younger son) of Henry Tomkinson of Dorfold Hall, Acton near Nantwich, Cheshire, and the grandson of a prominent lawyer James Tomkinson (1711 - 1794), of Dorfold Hall, acquired in 1754 and remaining in the family for 90 years until an heiress married into the Tollemache family. This James was son of a Manchester lawyer, William Tomlinson, of Bostock, and their descendants' rise to landed gentry exemplifies the rise in status and wealth of the professional classes in the 18th century.[23]
  24. ^ A full listing of the Palmer-Tomkinson connections via the Smiths was previously available online as "Relatives of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother" from Yvonne Demoskoff's website, but has been taken down because of copyright violations.[24]
  25. ^ The Independent Feb 7, 2005; online here Findarticles accessed 5 June 2007
  26. ^ BBC report ibid. Retrieved 5 June 2007.[25]
  27. ^ Lundy, Darryl. "Jeremy James Palmer-Tomkinson" (b. 4 November 1943). Retrieved 5 June 2007.[26]
  28. ^ Kay, Richard. "Murdered Earl's £6m legacy still hanging in the balance" Daily Mail 27 November 2006[27]. Retrieved 5 June 2007

[edit] External links

  • Photograph of Patti Palmer-Tomkinson at the 11 September 2006 memorial service for Bruce Shand, father-in-law of Prince Charles.[41], Retrieved 5 June 2007.