The new Earl of Harewood

The new 8th Earl of Harewood is David Henry George Lascelles, the eldest of three sons of the late 7th Earl of Harewood and Marion Stein.  He was born in London on October 21, 1950.   His baptism took place at All Saints Church at Harewood.  His godparents were Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh (now Queen Elizabeth II), Queen Mary, Viscountess Boyne, Benjamin Britten and his uncle, the Hon. Gerald Lascelles.

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=33096

The Princess Royal "stood proxy" for all the godmothers.  The infant wore a "christening robe of cream satin and lace with a clock of Brussels lace," which was also worn by father, Lord Harewood, at his baptism.  [Princess Mary's two sons did wear the royal christening robe.]

On February 12, 1979 at St. Mary's Church, Paddington, the then Viscount Lascelles married Margaret Messenger.  The couple's first two children, Emily and Benjamin, were born in 1975 and 1978, respectively, and before the marriage.  Neither Emily nor Benjamin are in line to the throne.  Benjamin also cannot succeed to his father's earldom.

After the marriage took place, Queen Elizabeth II allowed the two elder children to bear the courtesy title of Honourable, as the children of the a viscount.  Lady Lascelles gave birth to two more sons, Hon. Alexander (1980) and Hon. Edward Lascelles (1982.)   Because Emily and Benjamin were born before the marriage, they will not automatically receive the style and rank of the daughter and son of an earl.  The new Lord Harewood can make a request of the Queen to grant the the courtesy title of Lady for Emily.  Benjamin will remain an Honourable, nonetheless, as all sons of an earl, apart from the heir, have the courtesy title of Honourable.

Lord Harewood's first marriage ended in divorce in 1989.  A year later, in Australia, he married Diane Howse. 

Lord Lascelles studied art at the Winchester School of Art.  He currently works part time at the Pound, the arts hub in North Wiltshire, helping out in the box office and "with the day to day running of the building."   He is also involved with ActNow Youth Theatre and "the Arts Award representative for Pound Arts."



Alexander now becomes Viscount Lascelles, and is the heir apparent to his father.   Next in line to the earldom is the Hon. Edward Lascelles.    Lord Lascelles is father of a natural son, Leo, by Laleh Yagenegy.  The couple have not been together for more than a year now.