Lady Violet Manners' heartbreaking family loss 3 months after welcoming baby

James Randolph Lindesay-Bethune, 16th Earl of Lindsay, who is the father-in-law of Lady Violet Manners, has died aged 70. The Scottish businessman and Conservative politician's death was announced on The Clan Lindsay Society website. This news comes three months after Lady Violet welcomed her first baby with husband William. 

The statement read: "It is with great sorrow that we announce the death of James Randolph Lindesay-Bethune, 16th Earl of Lindsay, who passed away on Friday 9th October. Jamie suffered from an aneurysm earlier in the year and has been unable to recover despite the devoted love and attention of his wife, Diana, and his family.

"Jamie, age 70, was born on 19th November 1955. He is survived by his wife Lady Diana, 3 daughters and 2 sons. His elder son William, Viscount Garnock, married Violet in 2024 and they now have a son John, Master of Garnock, who was born in July 2026.

"Jamie died in London but will return to Fife to be buried in the crypt at Kilconquhar Church, alongside his ancestors. The funeral is expected to be in early November at Kilconquhar Church. Members of The Clan Lindsay Society wish to express our deepest sympathy during this sad time and offer our sincere condolences to Jamie’s wife, Diana, and extended family."

The next generation 

James leaves behind five children, including his eldest William Lindesay-Bethune, who now inherits his father's title. William married in 2025, and his new wife, Lady Violet Manners, will now be known as the Countess of Lindsay. A year after tying the knot, the couple welcomed a son called John. Their son is now three months old and has inherited the official title of Viscount Garnock.

Violet has an aristocratic heritage too, and their family seat is Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire. In an exclusive chat with HELLO!, Violet explained that her mother had a feeling she was pregnant before she even announced it.

"Mum definitely is quite intuitive. She was in India, and she messaged out of the blue saying something about babies. I was like, 'That's so weird, she doesn't know yet.'  Then she came home and I told her, and she said, 'I told you I knew.’ They're both so excited," she said at the time. 

Baby John's childhood 

Growing up in Belvoir Castle, Violet told us that her family's home is "like a child's paradise". "It's like being in Alice in Wonderland. Games like hide-and-seek that I've played so much with my siblings… to watch our children do that at Christmas in the future is going to be hilarious."

William added: "I grew up by the sea, on the east coast of Fife. The beach is only a mile away. We used to go down there all day. It's a beautiful, serene part of the world."