It has been pointed out that the caption to this picture is inaccurate. As the picture was published in The Daily Mail it comes as no surprise. Hugo Sire should be Sir Hugo Swire (two mistakes, a double fault), Margaret Thatcher should be Lady Thatcher and Lady Miloska Nott should be Lady Nott. Only the fragrant Lady Swire is correctly named.
John suggests that Lady Swire might be miffed because Hugo didn’t get a peerage. I suggest, though Hugo might be disappointed, Sasha would still be Lady Swire, as wife of the holder of a KCMG (Kindly Call Me God, as it’s known) or a Life Peerage and Lifers don’t have much cachet. Of course I might change my tune if I got one – Lord Barmeath? My friends could call be Barmy.
Sir Hugo served in the Brigade – not the fire brigade, the Brigade of Guards. He is a Grenadier. His Wikipedia entry needs some clarification as it describes him as being Captain and Lieutenant. My guess is that he retired in the rank of acting Captain and Lieutenant is correct.
As an aside, to make a change from digressing, I cannot call myself 2nd Lt Retired after my brief service in the Irish Guards, although I can wear a Brigade tie. I resigned my commission to join the Honourable Artillery Company and so can only claim the rank of Trooper, retired, and have used this sometimes.
Today I’m having lunch at Sweetings – O Joy!