Nicholas Ashley-Cooper, 12th Earl of Shaftesbury

Who is Nicholas Ashley-Cooper, 12th Earl of Shaftesbury?

Nicholas Edmund Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 12th Earl of Shaftesbury, also known as Nick Ashley-Cooper, succeeded his brother as Earl of Shaftesbury. The 12th Earl of Shaftesbury is the godson of Gerald Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster; and Simon Elliot, husband of Annabel Shand, sister of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

Shaftesbury's father, Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 10th Earl of Shaftesbury, had been murdered in November 2004 by the brother of his third wife, Jamila M'Barek, but his body was not discovered until April 2005. A month later, on 15 May 2005, Shaftesbury's brother, Anthony, the 11th Earl, died of a heart attack and the peerage devolved upon Nicholas. Following his brother's death, Shaftesbury relocated to his family home from New York City and assumed the responsibilities of the earldom. He also holds the subsidiary titles Baron Ashley and Baron Cooper.

On 11 September 2010, Lord Shaftesbury married Dinah Streifeneder. Professionally, the Countess of Shaftesbury is a veterinary surgeon. Together, they have interests in conservation, animal welfare, and working to assist children with disabilities. Since inheriting the titles and estate, they have pursued the restoration of St Giles House, in the hope that it might revitalise the local community.