The Marchioness of Bath, Emma Thynn, has been seen in Cannes following a High Court ruling that allows her younger son, Henry, to potentially inherit from family trusts. Henry, born via surrogate in the United States in 2016, was previously excluded due to legal uncertainty over his status.
The ruling, delivered by Judge Paul Matthews in Bristol, grants trustees the power to add Henry as a beneficiary of three family trusts linked to the £200 million Longleat estate. The judge noted that Lord and Lady Bath considered it 'unfair and unfortunate' if Henry were excluded.
Henry was conceived after Lady Bath suffered serious health issues during her first pregnancy with elder son John, now 10. She was the first British aristocrat to use surrogacy. The couple sought court approval to ensure Henry could inherit 'in the same way as any future legitimate naturally born sibling'.
Judge Matthews approved the proposal, stating he was 'satisfied' the trustees had the power to act. The decision avoids immediate tax complications due to Henry's birth in America, with a final decision on inheritance deferred to a later date.
