King ‘blocked’ after trying to check on long-time friend Sir Ranulph Fiennes

Good Morning Britain has spoken to the stepson of Ranulph Fiennes who claims that the explorer has been hidden away by his wife.

Sir Ranulph, who is 82, is said to have been moved to care homes in Cheshire and Wales in the past year under an assumed identity, but his current whereabouts is unknown.

Alex Millington-Coates, Sir Ranulph's stepson said: “She [Louise Millington Coates] is the sole party who is deciding as to where Ran is and the care that he is getting and what care that he is not getting so she is completely fundamental to it.”

When asked what he thinks has happened to him he said, “He [Ranulph] is fundamentally being kept away from his friends and close family."

The King was also reportedly blocked as he tried to check on the wellbeing of his long-time friend, the adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, after being alerted to concerns about his declining health and isolation.

Charles was left “most concerned” about 82-year-old Sir Ranulph, who has not been seen in public for two years, after fellow explorer Anton Bowring wrote to him in February last year asking for his help, The Telegraph revealed.

But Sir Ranulph’s wife Louise Millington-Cotes was said to have blocked the King’s attempts to reach out, the newspaper said.

It is understood Bowring sent a letter to the monarch’s principal private secretary Sir Clive Alderton, saying Sir Ranulph was “in a very poor state” and had been in the care of his wife since the previous September and that his friends were worried.

The King’s then-equerry Commander William Thornton contacted Bowring later the same month saying Charles wanted to write to Sir Ranulph, Ms Millington-Cotes and their daughter Elizabeth to express his concern and see if there was anything he could do anything to help.

He also asked for Ms Millington-Cotes’ phone number, but she reportedly fired off angry text messages to Bowring after Buckingham Palace was given her details.

Famous friends of Sir Ranulph, including Bear Grylls, Ben Fogle, Joanna Lumley, John Simpson and Monty Don have spoken out about the situation in recent weeks, with growing calls for an investigation into his wellbeing by both the police and the Office of the Public Guardian.

Survivalist Grylls declared “Ran we are coming!” and called him a “true British icon”, and said reports of his isolation and treatment in care homes were “deeply disturbing”.

Sir Ranulph’s wife, Louise Millington-Cotes, has not responded to journalistic enquiries and has asked not to be contacted by the press.

But Cheshire Police says that they are aware of the concerns raised and that they are satisfied that Sir Ranulph is living in an appropriate setting.

In a statement, Detective Chief Superintendent Claire Jesson from Cheshire Constabulary said: “Police and partner agencies are aware of the concerns raised and are satisfied that Sir Ranulph Fiennes is living in an appropriate setting with suitable care and professional oversight.

"No immediate safeguarding concerns have been identified at this time.

“Any new information received will be assessed and considered through the appropriate multi-agency arrangements.

“As this is a matter involving an individual's care and welfare, it would not be appropriate to comment further on personal circumstances.

“We would ask that privacy is respected and unnecessary speculation is avoided.”

Mr Millington-Coates said: “From everything that we have seen and the behaviour I’ve witnessed over the years, it just can’t be true. People really care about him, they love him and they miss him.”