The millionaire son of a former Conservative Cabinet minister has died at home at the age of just 51, it was revealed yesterday.
Friends said Henry Channon, a member of the Guinness dynasty, had battled with an illness for several months before his death on Saturday.
His death is the latest tragedy to befall his family after his older sister Olivia Channon died from a drugs overdose at Oxford University in 1986.
Henry Channon with his wife Katie. The Channon family live in a Grade I-listed mansion in Essex
Their father Paul Channon, later Lord Kelvedon, served as a Cabinet minister in the Edward Heath and Margaret Thatcher governments.
He died in 2007 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. His widow Lady Kelvedon died two years later.
Lord Kelvedon was the son of American-born diarist Sir Henry ‘Chips’ Channon and Lady Honor Guinness, and inherited her share of the Guinness family wealth.
The aristocratic clan has been dogged by a string of tragedies.
A friend of the Channon family told the Daily Mail: ‘Henry had not been well for some time, but his death has come as a tremendous shock to his family and friends.
'He was a completely wonderful man. His family are devastated. He and his wife Katie have two small children.
'Katie is immensely brave and resourceful, but she is distraught.’
Mr Channon's oldest sister Olivia died from a drugs overdose at Oxford University in 1986 when he was only 16
Mr Channon was only 16 years old when his oldest sister Olivia died from a heroin overdose shortly before she was due to graduate from Oxford University.
His death means their sister Georgia, 55, is now the only surviving sibling of the three.
Mr Channon and wife Katie married in 2009 and have two young children. He also has two
