![\"British](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/SEI_312837821-8fff.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe world\u2019s greatest living explorer, 82, has not been seen in public for two years (Picture: AFP via Getty)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tThe world\u2019s greatest living explorer, 82, has not been seen in public for two years (Picture: AFP via Getty)<\/p>\n
Sir Ranulph Fiennes was \u2018unlawfully deprived of his liberty\u2019 when he was placed in a series of care homes by his wife, a watchdog has found.<\/p>\n
The world\u2019s greatest living explorer, 82, has not been seen in public for two years. He is thought to have been moved through a series of care homes under a false name.<\/p>\n
Friends claimed his wife Louise Millington-Cotes had strict control over who could visit and instructed staff to disguise Sir Ranulph\u2019s appearance when out in public.<\/p>\n
Now it has emerged one of the facilities where Sir Ranulph resided flagged concerns over his welfare with the relevant authorities and the police, The Daily Telegraph<\/a> reports.<\/p>\n The owner of the care home in Wales<\/a> wrote to the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) to alert them of the medical arrangements made by Ms Millington-Cotes, including concerns about a \u2018do not resuscitate\u2019 document she provided.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tSign up for all of the latest stories\t\t\t<\/p>\n Start your day informed with Metro’s News Updates<\/a> newsletter or get Breaking News<\/a> alerts the moment it happens. <\/p>\n Friends of the explorer and author are considering legal action to challenge her guardianship, it has been reported.<\/p>\n Sir Ranulph married Ms Millington-Cotes following the death of his first wife, Virginia \u2018Ginny\u2019 Fiennes, in 2004 from cancer<\/a>.<\/p>\n They have a 20-year-old daughter, Elizabeth.<\/p>\n Sir Ranulph was reported to have spent time at a care\u00a0home in London<\/a> last year, where his wife asked visitors to sign non-disclosure agreements before being allowed to see him.<\/p>\n He was later moved and spent time at care facilities in Wales and Cheshire<\/a>. Only his wife and daughter are thought to know his exact location.<\/p>\n \t\t Mrs Millington-Cotes is said to have failed to ensure a deprivation of liberty safeguards (DoLS) order was in\u00a0place despite being alerted to it by a care home owner.<\/p>\n In a January email to the Care Inspectorate of Wales seeking advice, the owner wrote: \u2018Currently [Sir Ranulph] is being deprived of his liberty unlawfully as there is no authorised deprivation in place which reflects the current residence and restrictions in place.<\/p>\n \u2018[Sir Ranulph] is under continuous supervision and control, is not free to leave and is not able to consent to care, treatment and accommodation.<\/p>\n \u2018As such, the provider is required to make an urgent and standard application under the deprivation of liberty safeguards as soon as practicable.\u2019<\/p>\n The Telegraph reports that problems over Sir Ranulph\u2019s care occurred because of the lengths his wife went to to conceal his identity from staff, residents or visitors.<\/p>\n The owner told the paper she said he was \u2018an ex-SAS man whose life might be in danger from extremists\u2019 and that staff at a previous care home had tried to kill him.<\/p>\n \t\t She insisted on registering him under a false name and that he wear a hat, sunglasses and gloves to prevent anyone recognising his face or\u00a0frostbite-damaged fingers<\/a> when out for walks.<\/p>\n DoLS, which are part of the Mental Health<\/a> Capacity Act 2005, are designed to protect the interests of people who lack mental capacity, such as those with dementia.<\/p>\n A DoLS order must be made by two professionals not involved in an individual\u2019s care and the person in care must have a nominated representative.<\/p>\n Care Inspectorate Wales, the independent regulator of social care, said: \u2018Care Inspectorate Wales is committed to promoting the safety, wellbeing and rights of people who receive social care services across Wales.<\/p>\n \u2018It would not be appropriate for us to comment on an individual\u2019s personal circumstances or care arrangements.\u2019<\/p>\n Mrs Millington-Cotes is yet to comment.<\/p>\n Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more stories like this, check our news page<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"Explorer](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/SEI_313882620-e233.jpg\")
\n\t\tSir Ranulph Fiennes pictured with his wife Lady Louise, after returning to Britain following a failed attempt to climb Everest (Picture: PA)<\/p>\n![\"London,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/SEI_312837615-47c9.jpg\")
\n\t\tBritish Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes scales a climbing wall during a press conference in East London (Picture: AFP via Getty)<\/p>\n
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