Denys Rhodes

Who was Denys Rhodes?

Denys Gravenor Rhodes was an English writer.

He is most famous for his novel The Syndicate which was adapted into a 1968 film. He was married twice, once to actress Rachel Gurney and secondly to The Honorable Margaret Elphinstone, a first cousin of Elizabeth II.

Born in Ireland, Rhodes served in the Second World War with the Rifle Brigade, fighting in North Africa and Italy. After his second marriage he lived and wrote in rural Devon, until inoperable lung cancer led to a move nearer London. They were offered The Garden House in Windsor Great Park by the Queen, where his wife has continued to live since his death and wrote her 2011 memoir The Final Curtsey.

They had four children: their eldest daughter Annabel served as a bridesmaid to Princess Margaret in 1960.