THE Queen’s cousin and County Durham estate owner, the Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, has died after a “courageous battle with cancer”.

Michael Fergus Bowes-Lyon died on Saturday (February 27), aged just 58.

Lord Strathmore became the 18th Earl after succeeding his father, Fergus Bowes-Lyon in 1987 and was also the great-nephew of the Queen Mother and first cousin once removed of the Queen.

He was born in June 1957 and spent his childhood in Scotland and the family estate Glamis, near Forfar, in Angus, where he settled permanently from 1972.

Educated at Eton and Aberdeen University, Lord Strathmore studied Land Economy before serving in the Scots Guards between 1980 and 1984.

After leaving the Army he worked in London for stockbroker, Strauss Turnbull and Tarmac before becoming a Government Whip and then Deputy Chief Whip from 1989 to 1994.

While residing at his estate at Glamis he also owned swathes of Teesdale, in County Durham, where he would often stay at his second home, Holwick Hall, near Middleton-in-Teesdale.

His voluntary roles included being patron of both The Friends of the Bowes Museum Committee and the Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services (UTASS), both in County Durham; President of the Boys’ Brigade and a Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Angus.

Lord Strathmore led a colourful life and married three times.

His first marriage was to Isobel Weatherall, in 1984 and the couple had three sons, Sam, Jock and Geordie.

He then married Dr Damaris Stuart-William in 2008 and they had a son Toby.

His third marriage was to Karen Baxter, who he met while she was manager of an ironmongers store in Forfar, five miles from his estate.

The pair married at a low-key ceremony at his £12m seat Glamis Castle, in 2012 and he became step-father to her two daughters.

In a statement, a spokesman for his family said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Michael Fergus Bowes Lyon, 18th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne after a courageous battle with cancer."

He added: “Michael will be greatly missed not only by his family, but by those who lived and worked on the estates at Glamis and in County Durham.”

Diane Spark, of UTASS, said Lord Strathmore was a “very good friend” and had been a patron to the charity for 15 years.

“Our thoughts and sincere condolences go out to his wife Karen, his sons and extended family.

“We feel privileged to have known him and we will miss him enormously."