Yesterday, it was revealed that the millionaire son of a former Conservative Cabinet Minister has died at home at just 51.
Friends claimed that Henry Channon, a Guinness dynasty member, had been suffering from an illness for several weeks before his death on Saturday.
His death is the second tragedy in his family after Olivia Channon, Olivia’s older sister, died from a drug overdose at Oxford University.
Henry Channon and Katie Channon. The Channon family lives in an Essex Grade I-listed mansion.
Their father, Paul Channon, was later Lord Kelvedon. He served as a Cabinet minister during the Edward Heath or Margaret Thatcher governments.
He died in 2007 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Two years later, Lady Kelvedon, his widow, died.
Lord Kelvedon was the son of American-born diarist Sir Henry ‘Chips’ Channon and Lady Honor Guinness, and inherited her share of the Guinness family wealth.
A string of tragedies have plagued the aristocratic line.
A friend of the Channon family told the Daily Mail: ‘Henry had not been well for some time, but his death has come as a tremendous shock to his family and friends.
“He was a completely amazing man. His family is devastated. He and Katie have two small children.
‘Katie is immensely brave and resourceful, but she is distraught.’
Mr Channon’s oldest sister Olivia died from a drugs overdose at Oxford University in 1986 when he was only 16
When his older sister Olivia, 16, died from a heroin overdose, Mr. Channon was just 16 years old. She was due to graduate at Oxford University.
Their sister Georgia, 55 years old, is the only survivor of the three.
Katie Channon, Mr. Channon, and their two young children were married in 2009. He also has two children from his previous marriage.
The Channon family live in a Grade I-listed mansion in Essex, bought by Mr Channon’s grandfather.
A second family home, on Cheyne Walk, west London, was sold to Chelsea boss Roman Abramovich for £25million in 2011 after Lord Kelvedon’s death.
He was close to the Duke of Kent at Eton. The house was the venue for their joint 70th-year-old party, where guests included Prince Charles as well as the Queen.
It is reported that the Channon family also owned Mustique property since 1975. Both Mr. Channon and his father were chairman of the Mustique Company which manages the exclusive Caribbean island.
Mr Channon’s privileged upbringing was overshadowed by the shock death of his sister Olivia.
Lord Kelvedon, Ingrid, Henry and Georgia. Lord Kelvedon was the son of American-born diarist Sir Henry ‘Chips’ Channon and Lady Honor Guinness, and inherited her share of the Guinness family wealth
The 22-year old history student drank alcohol and drugs at a party hosted by a friend at Christ Church College. She choked to death after vomiting while unconscious.
Her unexpected death shocked the country and lifted the lid of Class A drug use by the privileged.
She died in the room of Count Gottfried Von Bismarck, who was later fined a small amount for drug possession.
He overdosed on heroin and died in 2007.
Olivia’s cousin Sebastian Guinness, also at the party, was jailed for four months for possession and her best friend Rosie Johnston received a nine-month sentence for supplying drugs.
The Guinness family, with an estimated worth of around £906million, have been struck by a series of tragedies, prompting claims of a family ‘curse’.
Tara Browne, Guinness heir, died in 1966 after his car ran through Kensington red lights and crashed into a van.
Lady Henrietta Guinness, a four-year-old girl from Umbria, Italy, jumped off a bridge on May 12, 1978. Peter Guinness, a four-year-old boy, was killed in a car accident that occurred the same year.
Robert Hesketh was found dead in his sleep at home in 2004 after he had taken drugs at a party at a country house. Catherine, his wife and the daughter of Guinness heir Lord Moyne found him.
Honor Uloth, Guinness heiress, died last summer in a freak swimming pool accident at the age of 19.