Care Inspectorate Wales found explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, 82, was unlawfully deprived of his liberty at a Welsh care home earlier this year, where he was under continuous supervision and could not leave freely. He had moved between care homes for nearly two years.
The watchdog reviewed the case in January after the Welsh home's owner raised concerns about restrictions ordered by Fiennes's wife, Louise Millington-Cotes, and contacted police. The Telegraph reported that she had not provided the home proper legal authorization for restrictions that left Fiennes under constant supervision. After about seven weeks there at the start of 2026, he was moved to a care facility in Cheshire.
Reports said Millington-Cotes arranged the placements, including at facilities where Fiennes was allegedly registered under a false name. Friends and relatives raised concerns about limits on visits and access; visitors at one London facility were reportedly required to sign nondisclosure agreements. Millington-Cotes had lasting power of attorney from 2024; no court has found her to have committed wrongdoing, and relatives are reportedly considering legal action.
