Well, well. It looks like Pippa Middleton is marrying a guy with a title after all. Sort of! All this time, I thought Pippa’s fiancé, the Terribly Rich™ James Matthews, was as nouveau riche as the Middletons. I thought that meant that Pippa had to choose: chase titled aristocrats for the next five years, or “settle” for someone Terribly Rich™ and without a title. While the Matthews’ family has only become wealthy in the past few generations, it seems that their wealth allowed them to somehow acquire a title. The way the Daily Express explains it, it sounds like James’ father David Matthews bought the title as part of a grand estate in Scotland. Which… is that the way hereditary titles work these days???
Pippa Middleton will finally get an aristocratic title to rival older sister Kate following her engagement to the fabulously wealthy son of a Scottish Laird, Express.co.uk can reveal. The 32-year-old sister of the Duchess of Cambridge will one day become Lady Glen Affric and have access to a sprawling 10,000-acre Scottish estate after marrying nobleman James Matthews.
Mr Matthews, a super-rich hedge fund manager, is the son of David Matthews, the Laird of Glen Affric, who owns an historic castle 15 miles from world-famous Loch Ness in the Scottish highlands. He will inherit the title upon his father’s death, until which time Pippa will be able to use the courtesy title of Mrs Matthews of Glen Affric the younger, bestowed upon her as the heir’s wife. She will be able to use the title anywhere in the Commonwealth, such as Australia or Canada, but it is thought she is unlikely to do so given the recent down to earth portrayal of Mr Matthews as the grandson of a coal miner.
David Matthews, a former mechanic, is thought to have acquired the hereditary title, which is largely ceremonial, when he bought the magnificent Glen Affric estate in 2008. The aristocratic connection was unearthed by Australian art historian Michael Reed, who said the Matthews family “keep to themselves” but that “they know how to play the royal game”.
He said: “You’ve certainly got this Matthews family who own this huge baronial castle.”
The aristocratic title has a long and rich history and even comes with its own red and green tartan, which Mr Matthews could opt to wear at what will be a star-studded wedding. Sprawling Glen Affric Lodge also has its very own royal connection with the Queen’s grandmother, Mary, having stayed at the estate in the late 19th century. And Mr Mathews, who is chief executive of London-based Eden Rock Capital Management Group, went to Eton College like Pippa’s brother-in-laws William and Harry.
He “is thought to have acquired the hereditary title… when he bought the magnificent Glen Affric estate in 2008…” Again, that’s not how titles work? The title comes along with the house? When you really think about it, you can just anoint yourself whatever and claim that it’s now a hereditary title. I am Kaiser, Duchess of Wiglets, Baroness Bangs Trauma. My closest female relative shall retain those titles when I pass! As for Pippa becoming Lady Glen Affric one day… well, good for her. Not only did she get someone Terribly Rich™, but she also scored a (purchased) aristocratic title. Sigh…
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.
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