When you hear the name Alexander Lascelles, Viscount Lascelles, you probably imagine someone in a stiff suit, maybe sipping tea in a gold-leafed drawing-room while discussing the intricacies of some ancient estate. Honestly, that’s the stereotype of British nobility. But Alexander Lascelles is a bit of a curveball.
He’s a chef.
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Yeah, you read that right. The man who is currently the heir apparent to the Earldom of Harewood and sits roughly in the 60s in the line of succession to the British throne—his actual position shifts as royal babies are born—is more at home with a kitchen knife than a scepter. People often get confused about how a "royal-adjacent" figure ends up working in a professional kitchen or teaching food classes at a school in Trowbridge. But if you dig into the Lascelles family history, things have always been a little less "by the book" than the Windsor core.
The Heir Who Wasn’t the Eldest
Wait, if he’s the second son, why is he the Viscount? This is where the legalities of the British peerage get messy.
Alexander was born in 1980 to David Lascelles, the 8th Earl of Harewood, and Margaret Messenger. He has an older brother, Benjamin. Usually, the eldest son takes the title. However, Benjamin was born before their parents were married. In the world of hereditary titles and the British throne, "legitimacy" at birth is everything. Because Alexander was the first son born after the wedding, the title of Alexander Lascelles, Viscount Lascelles fell to him.
It’s a weird quirk of history. It means he’s the one who will eventually become the 9th Earl of Harewood, overseeing one of England’s most massive and historic treasure houses.
Family Tree 101: How Close is He to the King?
Basically, he’s the great-great-grandson of King George V. His great-grandmother was Mary, Princess Royal, who was the only daughter of George V and Queen Mary. This makes him a second cousin once removed to King Charles III.
He’s family, but he’s not "The Firm." You won’t see him on the balcony at Buckingham Palace waving to the masses. He’s part of that extended network of descendants who carry the weight of the name without the taxpayer-funded security or the constant paparazzi.
Life in the Kitchen: "Orly" Lascelles
In the culinary world, he often goes by Orly Lascelles.
He hasn't just used his name to open fancy restaurants. He’s actually put in the work. He’s been a private chef and has even spent time teaching at the John of Gaunt School. Imagine being a teenager in a home-economics class and your teacher is technically a Viscount. Kind of wild, right?
But this choice speaks to a broader trend in the Lascelles family. His father, David, is a film and television producer. They’ve always been a family of creators and workers rather than just "title holders."
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Marriage and a Modern Family
Alexander’s personal life hasn’t always been a straight line either. He has a son, Leo, born in 2008 from a previous relationship with Laleh Yeganegy. Again, because they weren't married, Leo isn't in line for the Earldom, though he’s very much a part of the family.
In 2017, Alexander married Annika Reed, an artist and designer. They had a low-key wedding at Kew Gardens—not exactly the Westminster Abbey spectacle, but much more "them." Together they have two children:
- Ivy Lascelles, born in 2018.
- Kit Moon William Lascelles, born in 2023.
Because of the way these things work, little Ivy is actually the person who follows Alexander in some versions of the line of succession, though the Earldom itself still follows male-preference rules in most cases. It’s a bit of a headache to track.
Why Alexander Lascelles Matters Today
He represents the "new" aristocracy. He’s someone who has inherited a massive legacy but chooses to define himself through a craft. Harewood House, the family seat in Yorkshire, isn't just a museum; it’s a living business that has to navigate its own complicated history, including the family’s historical links to the slave trade—something his father has been very vocal about addressing through the "Heirs of Slavery" group.
Alexander doesn't seek the limelight. He’s not out there writing tell-all books. He’s just a guy who happens to be a Viscount and a chef.
What You Should Take Away
If you’re following the British Royal Family or the peerage, don't just look at the people in the carriages. The real stories are often in the branches of the tree that grew a bit differently.
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Next Steps for You:
If you're interested in how the modern nobility manages these massive estates, look into the Harewood House Trust. It’s the charitable trust that actually runs the estate where Alexander will one day be the figurehead. You can see how they are balancing 18th-century art with 21st-century social responsibility. Also, if you’re ever in the UK, a trip to Harewood is worth it just for the gardens—even if the Viscount isn't personally in the kitchen that day.