Walker/ Harding engagement (query)

[G. Willis]

Perhaps not relevant to this group, depending on successfully identifying the individuals involved, but in The Telegraph last week was announced the engagement of Sir David Walker and Lady Harding- http://announcements.telegraph.co.uk/engagements/236036/sir-david-walker-and-lady-harding

The details given are very limited, however listed amongst the supporters of the Royal College of Music are "Lady Annie Harding & Sir David Walker" (presumably, as is often the case, erroneously indicating her to be the daughter of a peer). The most likely candidate I can find would appear to be (Patricia) Anne (née Skelley), widow (m. 1994; dau. Emily Rose b. 1996) of the businessman Sir Christopher George Francis Harding (1939-1999; his first wife, Susan Lilian Berry, was granddaughter of the first Viscount Kemsley, and cousin of the Barons Rothschild); company records give a "Lady Anne Harding" as b. Apr. 1951 (and a "Lady Patricia Anne Harding" with the same birth details), a director of the Merchant Taylors' and Christopher Boone's Almshouses Charity; the Merchant Taylors' website shows "Lady Anne Harding" as having joined the livery in 2009. There's a 1951 birth record for a Patricia A. Skelley (mother "Mackay"). There are a few options for "Sir David Walker". If anyone can shed any light on this it'd be appreciated.

[richard hill]

Either Sir David Alan Walker (b.1939), banker. He was widowed in the last couple of years or more likely with similar ages, Air Marshall Sir David Allan Walker KCVO, OBE (b.1956)

[G. Willis]

Thanks, Richard- I'd tentatively discounted Sir David the banker too, mainly based on age and the fact that some sources failed to mention a marriage for the Air Marshal, but then I checked and Who's Who has him as having married Jane Calder in 1983; although it seems like it's got to be one of these two men, it could go either way! Considering the first Sir David is (was) a widower, perhaps it's more likely to be him?

[richard hill]

Maybe Sir David Walker (b.1956) is now divorced or widowed.

More relevant to the usual business of this group is that Jonathan (Jonny) Walker of Grittleton, Wilts (b.1968) only son of the elder Sir David Walker, is m. (1995) to Hon. Georgina Helena Katherine Napier (b.1969), dau. of Major Francis Nigel Napier, 14th Lord Napier of Merchistoun. They have three daughters.

[Netty Leistra]

This document from 2019 mentions a Lady Annie Harding and Sir David Walker.

https://issuu.com/royalcollegeofmusic/docs/upbeat_spring_2019_for_issuu