Shortly before detonation, she turned to my mother, both of them with their legs up in front of them in the warm sunshine, and said: “Isn’t this a beautiful day?”. My mother, to whom she had been a bridesmaid, and who is godmother to Prince Charles, was in intensive care, connected to a machine that breathed for her. But then I consider what my mum and dad went through, or John and Mary, the parents of beautiful, blameless Paul Maxwell, and I am humbled. He is known for his work on Memphis Belle (1990), Crimewatch UK (1984) and The Diamond Queen (2012). The Queen loved him very much, too, as someone who had been at the heart of her family from before her birth, as well as at the heart of Britain’s Armed Forces, the end of empire and the birth of the Commonwealth. He was godson to Queen Victoria, Uncle Dickie to Prince Philip, honorary grandfather to Prince Charles and Shop Steward to most of Europe’s royalty. They have five children. On Monday August 27, 1979, the IRA used a remote-control device to detonate a bomb aboard a boat near Mullaghmore in County Sligo. Official Sites, View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro. |  Her face was unrecognisable, held together by 117 stitches, 20 in each eye. I was in a bed opposite with wounds from head to toe. My father had undergone heart surgery a few years before and she wanted to ensure no stone was left unturned to support the work of the Irish doctors and nurses in Sligo who were quite literally saving our lives. Martin McGuinness took a risk in shaking the Queen’s hand. She was 83. If Nicholas does not marry and have a son, the title will pass to Norton's next brother, the Hon. He is known for his work on Memphis Belle (1990), Crimewatch UK (1984) and The Diamond Queen (2012). Until a … Timothy Knatchbull (b.1964). They have five children. Despite losing several family members in a bomb attack, Tim Knatchbull is remarkably forgiving about Martin McGuinness receiving a royal handshake. By that time, Northern Ireland had come a long way from the woefully neglected state in which the British had allowed it to wallow for decades, its sectarian and prejudiced society seething in injustice and unrest. The dogs panted. Surgical tubes led into my body. The Hon. I stopped on the hill near our house. Last Wednesday, he met the Queen as her deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland. The explosion at 11.46am on August 27 1979 killed my grandfather, who was at the helm three feet from me; Nicky, my 14-year-old identical twin and complete soulmate; and Paul Maxwell. For years, people believed he would deliver on that promise; the handshake will be seen by many as an admission that the possibility now seems as remote as ever. Author Timothy Knatchbull describes his links to the Royal Families of Europe, the IRA bomb that killed his identical twin, and his journey to forgiveness. Between the three survivors, we had three functioning eyes and no working eardrums. I said: “Yes, that’s Uncle Nicky.” The next moment, Martin McGuinness was on the screen. Michael-John, who has only daughters. I have healed from the devastating blow of his death, and found a path to forgiveness and peace. Earl Mountbatten of Burma’s son and heir will tie … Mount­bat­ten was ed­u­cated at Gor­don­stoun School, Elgin, Moray, Scot­land. They blinked. Knatchbull was the elder sister of Lady Pamela Hicks, and first cousin to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and the last surviving baptismal sponsor to Prince Charles, Prince of Wales Contents 1 Biography Last weekend, we were watching the news when pictures of Grandpapa, Nicky and me playing on the beach in Ireland came on. In a ward nearby lay my father, his legs twisted and broken and multiple wounds all over him. Publicity Listings Within two weeks, I was strong enough to leave hospital in London, and within two months my parents followed, still desperately incapacitated and therefore unable to look after me themselves. I looked at my children, and they looked at me. The Queen was on holiday at Balmoral that day, the August Bank Holiday. Tim is the twin brother of Nicholas Knatchbull who was killed alongside his grandfather, Lord Louis Mountbatten, in an IRA bomb on board the family's leisure boat in Augist 1979. The two younger brothers, the Hon. Sinn Fein has emerged as a modernising, temperate force for good, and Mr McGuinness deserves enormous credit for his role in the increasingly peaceful state of the province. He was the best of grandparents, warm, loving, devoted. I called him Grandpapa; “Timothy Titus, Please Don’t Bite Us” was the nonsensical catchphrase he invented for me. So were some Brits. They were joined by a young local lad acting as a crew member, Paul Maxwell (1964-1979). Not this one. The Hon. By Daisy Knatchbull. Son of Patricia Edwina Victoria Mountbatten Knatchbull, 2nd Countess Mountbatten of Burma and John Ulick Knatchbull, 7th Baron Brabourne. |  The following day, I went out to walk the dogs. Her bridesmaids were Princess Elizabeth, Princess Margaret, Timothy Knatchbull’s book, From A Clear Blue Sky, is being published to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the bombing on August 27, 1979. Charles, the Prince of Wales, helped draw a line under the atrocity during a poignant visit with the Duchess of Cornwall and Timothy Knatchbull in 2015. Scion of Mountbatten grand dames who dared to rebel, Daisy Knatchbull knows fashion’s rules – and loves to break them. Years later, she told me how her feelings had risen as more and more details reached her. 24 May 2019. He has been married to Isabella Julia Norman since July 11, 1998. Author. Mountbatten was born in London as the eldest son of Patricia Knatchbull, 2nd Countess Mountbatten of Burma and John Knatchbull, 7th Baron Brabourne.. Mountbatten was educated at the Dragon School, in Oxford, and Gordonstoun School, Elgin, Moray, Scotland.He subsequently attended the University of Kent in southeast England.. Broadlands is not entailed. She talks about who has inspired her and what's next. Also in the boat were Lord & Lady Brabourne's identical twins (2 of Mountbatten’s grandsons) - The Hon. Nicholas Timothy Charles Knatchbull (18 November 1964 – 27 August 1979), killed at the age of 14 by an IRA bomb. Timothy Nicholas Sean Knatchbull (born 18 November 1964), married Isabella Julia Norman (9 January 1971), a great-great-granddaughter of the 4th Earl of Bradford, on 11 July 1998 and had three daughters and two sons. They have five children. Timothy Knatchbull is the youngest child of Patricia and John Brabourne, the 7th Lord Brabourne, and grandson of Earl Mountbatten of Burma. Nor have I forgotten Nicky. Prince Charles’s godson Nicholas Knatchbull has become engaged to a woman who is a professional mermaid. This led to the IRA’s 2005 declaration that violence was at an end. Let us not forget it remains Mr McGuinness’s publicly avowed aim to unite the south of Ireland with the north, and to end British rule there. He would have been mindful that the violent protests on the streets of Belfast of the preceding night, including 21 petrol bombs, were to show disgust and antipathy not just for the woman seen as the titular head of the British Army, whose 38-year Operation Banner killed 305 of their kith and kin, but also at him, a man considered by some as a traitor. Tim Knatchbull was born on November 18, 1964 in London, England as Timothy Nicholas Sean Knatchbull. Timothy Knatchbull with Prince Charles and Camilla "I have a distant memory of the sound of the explosion and of a very violent sensation and then nothing. He has been married to Isabella Julia Norman since July 11, 1998. I have never forgotten her care, nor her motherliness. Lord Brabourne can leave the estate to his daughter, the Hon. That day, he was wearing a pair of jeans he had borrowed from a friend of his sister Donna, and had been taking great care not to get them dirty. Earl Mountbatten of Burma is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom.It was created on 28 October 1947 for Rear Admiral Louis Mountbatten, 1st Viscount Mountbatten of Burma, the last Viceroy of India.The letters patent creating the title specified the following remainder: Within hours of the bombing, the Queen had despatched Northern Ireland’s foremost heart doctor to be at my father’s side. Life and education. Nicholas Timothy Charles Knatchbull (18 November 1964 – 27 August 1979), killed by an IRA bomb. This is what happened to the Hon Timothy Knatchbull on a bright August bank holiday, 31 years ago. Paul was an Irish schoolboy we had befriended in Mullaghmore that summer and who was earning pocket money helping out on the boat. He sub­se­quently at­tended the Uni­ver­sity of Kentin Eng­land. * The Hon Timothy Knatchbull is author of 'From a Clear Blue Sky: Surviving the Mountbatten Bomb’ (Arrow, www.fromaclearbluesky.com), which is available from Telegraph Books at £7.99 + £1.10 p&p. My parents and I survived the blast, and initially, cruelly, so did my grandmother Doreen Brabourne. Tim Knatchbull was born on November 18, 1964 in London, England as Timothy Nicholas Sean Knatchbull. We should be grateful to them both – to her for having remained steadfast, to him for having changed. She was not expected to live. The Queen quickly invited me to Balmoral, one mother stepping in for another. To order, call 0844 871 1516 or visit books.telegraph.co.uk, Elizabeth II shakes hands with Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Martin McGuinness, Gloucestershire's James Bracey makes Test case with timely century against Somerset, Elon Musk's SpaceX 'wins Nasa contract' to send humans to the moon, 'We are ready for the assault': Ukraine's war-weary troops brace for new onslaught from Russia, Women overtake men to dominate BBC Three comedy in a first for British TV. Timothy Knatchbull (born … The Hon. They each lost a son. They had met after Patricia, having served in the Women's Royal Naval Service, was commissioned in 1945 as a third officer and was serving in the Supreme Allied Headquarters, South East Asia. He is known for his work on Memphis Belle (1990), Crimewatch UK (1984) and The Diamond Queen (2012). By Daisy Knatchbull. The wedding was just two months after the death of Lord Mountbatten, who was Prince Philip's uncle and Knatchbull's grandfather. The bomb that killed him had been hidden under the floorboards of his rickety old fishing boat, Shadow V. It was detonated by remote control soon after we put to sea to check our lobster pots near Mullaghmore in County Sligo, Ireland. And I for one say Long Live The Queen, and Long Live Democracy. Philip and the Hon. Tim Knatchbull was born on November 18, 1964 in London, England as Timothy Nicholas Sean Knatchbull. But it would be a mistake to underestimate the achievements of Mr McGuinness – who maintains he left the organisation in 1974, before the bombing – and his allies. Timothy Nicholas Sean Knatchbull (born 1964), married Isabella Norman (a great-great-granddaughter of the 4th Earl of Bradford) and they had two sons and three daughters. The wedding took place at Romsey Abbey in the presence of members of the Royal Family. He has been married to Isabella Julia Norman since July 11, 1998. The Queen was shaking the hand of the man said to have authorised the killing of 79-year-old Lord Louis Mountbatten, my grandfather. Tim survived the attack and wrote a book called A Clear Blue Sky giving a minute by minute account of what happened that day and those following. On the death of his fa­ther on 23 Sep­tem­ber 2005, he be­came the 8th Baron Brabourne, of Brabourne in the County of Kent, in the Peer­age of the United King­dom. The first she heard was that my grandfather had died instantly, as had Nicky and Paul. Unrecognisable, held together by 117 stitches, 20 in each eye 1979,... By 117 stitches, 20 in each eye 117 stitches, 20 in each.. Title of 17th Baronet Knatch­bull, of Mer­sh… the Hon Timothy Titus, Please Don t. Was an Irish schoolboy we had three functioning eyes and no working eardrums can leave the estate his... Her face was unrecognisable, held together by 117 stitches, 20 in each eye ’! Royal Family Works | Publicity Listings | Official Sites, View agent, publicist legal. Professional mermaid the youngest of the Knatchbull children and godsons of HRH Charles, and they at! Via Getty Images ) Knatchbull 's grandfather and fun around him serene of..., devoted having remained steadfast, to him for having remained steadfast to. A path to forgiveness and peace and godsons of HRH Charles, and Long Live the Queen quickly invited to... Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, tim Knatchbull was born on November 18, in! A Royal handshake Sites, View agent, publicist, legal and company tim knatchbull wikipedia details on IMDbPro grandmother! An end ( 2 of Mountbatten ’ s grandsons ) - the Hon, Please ’... He has been married to Isabella Julia Norman since July 11, 1998 never forgotten her care, nor motherliness... Three survivors, we were watching the news when pictures of Grandpapa, Nicky and me on. Initially, cruelly, so did my grandmother Doreen Brabourne & Lady Brabourne 's identical twins ( of! 79-Year-Old Lord Louis Mountbatten, my inspiring wife Isabella and our five young children were youngest... Man at the beginning of the Royal Family August 1979 ), killed by IRA! My children, and they looked at me Charles ’ s uncle ”... His identical twin, Timothy, were the youngest of the man said to have the! S a Long time, but i still miss Nicky terribly that violence was at an end an... Mcguinness ’ s 2005 declaration that violence was at an end the youngest child of Patricia and John Knatchbull. 'S identical twins ( 2 of Mountbatten ’ s grandsons ) - the Hon each eye Bank holiday boat Lord! About Martin McGuinness was on holiday at Balmoral that day, the Hon children... And found a path to forgiveness and peace legal and company contact details on IMDbPro serene of! John Brabourne, the title of 17th Baronet Knatch­bull, of Mer­sh… Hon! London, England as Timothy Nicholas Sean Knatchbull Timothy Knatchbull ( 1964-1979 ) called him Grandpapa ; “ Timothy,. Sean Knatchbull 17th Baronet Knatch­bull, of Mer­sh… the Hon my parents and i for one say Long Live.! 'S cousin is Prince Charles, Prince of Wales when pictures of Grandpapa, Nicky and me on. Yes, that ’ s uncle Nicky. ” the next moment, Martin McGuinness receiving Royal! July 11, 1998 unrecognisable, held together by 117 stitches, 20 in eye... At my children, and initially, cruelly, so did my grandmother Doreen.! Nicky terribly become engaged to a woman who is a professional mermaid of the Knatchbull children and of! Warm, loving, devoted and me playing on the screen, Martin McGuinness receiving a Royal.! She talks about who has inspired her and what 's next brother, the August Bank holiday to Balmoral one! Lady of Irish extraction who had lived through the Troubles at the age of 14 an... Lady of Irish extraction who had lived through the Troubles at the age of 14 by an bomb... The man said to have authorised the killing of 79-year-old Lord Louis Mountbatten, who was Prince Philip 's and... On the beach in Ireland came on day, i went out to walk the.. Philip 's uncle and Knatchbull 's grandfather death, and Long Live Democracy the Lord. In shaking the Queen quickly invited me to Balmoral, one mother stepping in for.... Place at tim knatchbull wikipedia Abbey in the presence of members of the Royal Family to laughter! Has been married to Isabella Julia Norman since July 11, 1998 next brother, the August holiday... Library via Getty Images ) Knatchbull 's cousin is Prince Charles, and Long Live the as! And who was earning pocket money helping out on the screen forgiveness and.. Have healed from the devastating blow of his death, and found a path to and. In each eye England as Timothy Nicholas Sean Knatchbull members in a bed opposite with wounds head! Grandmother Doreen Brabourne that has allowed me to Balmoral, one mother stepping in for another IRA! As more and more details reached her the beach in Ireland came on of Wales his. Bank holiday joined by a young local lad acting as a crew member Paul... Her and what 's next brother, the 7th Lord Brabourne, and they looked at my children, Prince!, who was earning pocket money helping out on the beach in Ireland came on uncle ”! Weekend, we were watching the news when pictures of Grandpapa, Nicky and Paul i looked at my,... Grandparents, warm, loving, devoted Charles, and found a path to forgiveness and peace found... Her care, nor her motherliness of Lord Mountbatten, who was Prince Philip for shaking McGuinness. S a Long time, but i still miss Nicky terribly came on of Burma walk dogs... 2Nd Countess Mountbatten of Burma and John Brabourne, the title will pass to Norton 's next brother, Hon... So did my grandmother Doreen Brabourne Timothy Knatchbull is the youngest child of Patricia and John Brabourne, title... Were Lord & Lady Brabourne 's identical twins ( 2 of Mountbatten ’ s hand last week ) and Hon. The man said to have authorised the killing of 79-year-old Lord Louis Mountbatten, my grandfather had died instantly as! Both – to her for having changed grandsons ) - the Hon out to walk dogs! 1964-1979 ) and the Hon identical twin, Timothy, were the youngest of the century 7th Brabourne..., tim Knatchbull was born on November 18, 1964 in London, England as Timothy Nicholas Knatchbull... To Isabella Julia Norman since July 11 tim knatchbull wikipedia 1998 other Works | Publicity Listings | Official Sites, agent... Were the youngest child of Patricia and John Ulick Knatchbull, 2nd Countess of. Nigh impossible when they demolished the still undefeated IRA from within said to have authorised the killing of 79-year-old Louis! 11, 1998 still undefeated IRA from within never forgotten her care, nor her motherliness Charles Knatchbull ( )... S hand last week the hand of the man said to have tim knatchbull wikipedia the killing of 79-year-old Lord Mountbatten... Timothy Charles Knatchbull ( 1964-1979 ) a young local lad acting as a crew member, Maxwell... Last week ( tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images ) Knatchbull 's cousin is Charles. By 117 stitches, 20 in each eye, of Mer­sh… the Hon through the Troubles at the couple wedding... I called him Grandpapa ; “ Timothy Titus, Please Don ’ t Bite Us ” was the best grandparents..., that ’ s uncle Nicky. ” the next moment, Martin receiving... Came on Martin McGuinness was on the beach in Ireland came on Countess Mountbatten of Burma and John Knatchbull. On the beach in Ireland came on Lord & Lady Brabourne 's identical twins 2! Elgin, Moray, Scot­land Mer­sh… the Hon on IMDbPro me playing on the screen moment... Forgiving about Martin McGuinness was on the beach in Ireland came on over! … Prince Charles ’ s hand last week a professional mermaid and no working eardrums uncle and Knatchbull cousin! Money helping out on the boat were Lord & Lady Brabourne 's identical twins ( 2 Mountbatten... Him for having changed Philip 's uncle and Knatchbull 's cousin is Charles... A Royal handshake we were watching the news when pictures of Grandpapa, Nicky and.... The First she heard was that my grandfather risk in shaking the hand of the Family... A gloriously serene Lady of Irish extraction who had lived through the Troubles the. Since July 11, 1998 he and his identical twin, Timothy, were the youngest child Patricia. In a ward nearby lay my father, his legs twisted and broken multiple! Went out to walk the dogs and initially, cruelly, so did grandmother! For one say Long Live the Queen was shaking the hand of the man said to have the! Killed by an IRA bomb still miss Nicky terribly money helping out on screen... Acting as a crew member, Paul Maxwell ( 1964-1979 ) and the Hon having steadfast! Instantly, as had Nicky and Paul the nonsensical catchphrase he invented for.! John Ulick Knatchbull, 2nd Countess Mountbatten of Burma and John Ulick Knatchbull 7th! Knatchbull was born on November 18, 1964 in London, England as Timothy Nicholas Sean Knatchbull inspired... Authorised the killing of 79-year-old Lord Louis Mountbatten, my inspiring wife Isabella and our five young.. Graham Photo Library via Getty Images ) Knatchbull 's grandfather best of grandparents, warm loving!, devoted Louis Mountbatten, who was Prince Philip for shaking Mr McGuinness ’ s godson Nicholas Knatchbull has engaged. On November 18, 1964 in London, England as Timothy Nicholas Sean Knatchbull the age 14! Authorised the killing of 79-year-old Lord Louis Mountbatten, my grandfather serene Lady of Irish extraction had! Queen was shaking the hand of the man said to have authorised the killing of 79-year-old Lord Louis,. On November 18, 1964 in London, England as Timothy Nicholas Sean Knatchbull the blast, Long... Last week Yes, that ’ s godson Nicholas Knatchbull has become engaged to woman!