Newstalk reporter Henry McKean has revealed that he is distantly a member of the British Royal Family, and that he has been keeping it secret that he stands 46th in line to the throne. His mother, Rosemary McKean, had concealed Henry’s heritage from him, and only recently explained the family’s connection to the ruling Windsors by way of a long-last aunt.
“Rosemary said we thought it would be best if you didn’t know,” Henry explained, “Because we thought t would be a bit of a burden if you knew.”
The Newstalk reporter has now made efforts to reach out to his aunt, Dame Christabel Theodor Ogilvy, who, as a Dowager Countess of Gloucester, is currently the 45th in line to the throne. Describing her nephew, Dame Oglivy said: “It is a relief to reconnect with my relatives, whom I believed has succumbed to the native’s thirst for nationalism and republicanism when they crossed the sea to Ireland, leaving their beloved England behind.”
There is no doubt in Dame Oglivy’s mind that McKean is indeed the real McCoy, having spotted a family trait during a recent pheasant shoot. “Poor Henry is not used to the kickback of my late husband’s rifle, and was knocked over, splitting his trousers along the seam of the seat. It was then I saw the Gloucester cheese birthmark, located just above his left cheek – a blemish that marks the masculine line of the family going on generations. It brought a tear to my eye.”
McKean is quick to underplay his newly rediscovered royal lineage, though to observers and Hello-readers, the news has shaken up the establishment, with rumours of heated discussions taking place at the palace.
Arabella Winthrop, CBE, lead genealogist at Clarence House, the childhood residence of Queen Elizabeth II, said upon tracing McKean’s claim to the throne: “It’s the biggest shake up in Royal history since that sordid affair with Mrs Simpson. Henry will be able to come to all royal birthday parties and royal weddings, christenings, and jubilees – but he must now act with decorum and discretion.
“As a royal, you are not allowed to give interviews to the tabloids – the odd word with the Daily Telegraph is acceptable, one supposes, but only with The Duke of Edinburgh’s permission. He is trying to stop any new royal gaffs from happening,” Mrs Winthrop said from her London office.
McKean will now receive an annual stipend of £200,000 (€278,000, or roughly half his current Newstalk salary) and will be given a cottage on the grounds of Windsor Castle, but its exact location is strictly confidential and cannot be made public.
His aunt, Dame Oglivy, is in the process of redrafting her will to allow Henry to inherit land and housing stock in Gloucester, which will allow him to fulfil his childhood dream of becoming a landlord capable of living off the income he collects from local residents.
Pat O'Connell, the fishmonger from the English Market in Cork who made the Queen laugh and Ireland’s foremost commentator on the royal family, could not contain his excitement at the news.
Speaking to McKean, he said: “I never knew you were related, I have been over to Buckingham Palace a number of times since I made her lol about the mother-in-law fish. I’ll see you at the garden party this summer.”
You can listen back to Henry McKean's report, outlining his family tree and royal heritage, below:
