Michael Abney-Hastings, 14th Earl of Loudoun
Michael Edward Abney-Hastings, 14th Earl of Loudoun (born 1942) is an British-born Australian rice researcher. He lives in Jerilderie, New South Wales, after moving there in the 1960s. He is the son of Barbara Abney-Hastings, 13th Countess of Loudoun, and succeeded her as Earl of Loudoun in 2002.
Lord Loudoun is the heir-general of George, Duke of Clarence. In 2004, a documentary broadcast on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom set out a persuasive case that King Edward IV of England was biologically illegitimate, and therefore that Lord Loudoun is the rightful King of England (and thus also Australia). His claim is strengthened further by strong doubts over the legal validity of Edward IV's marriage to Elizabeth Woodville.
Lord Loudoun is a committed republican and has expressed little interest in pursuing his claim to the English throne, although he is amused by it. He has two sons and three daughters. His eldest son Simon holds the courtesy title Lord Mauchline. Rumours from people that know the family have said that when Lord Loudoun dies, Simon is very likely to pursue his claim to the throne.
| Preceded by: Barbara Abney-Hastings | Earl of Loudoun | Succeeded by: Current Incumbent |
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Categories: 1942 births | Peers