The 8th Duke of Wellington, whose ancestor won the Battle of Waterloo, has died at the age of 99.
Arthur Valerian Wellesley, who was also known as the Prince of Waterloo, died peacefully today at his home on the Stratfield Saye Estate in Hampshire, surrounded by his family.
His death comes just six months before the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo in which the British army, under the command of the 1st Duke of Wellington, defeated Napoleon in what was then the United Kingdom of the Netherlands and is now Belgium.
The 1st Duke, Arthur Wellesley, is commemorated in a horseback statue in Glasgow's Royal Exchange Square - albeit often topped, irreverently, with a traffic cone.
A spokesman for the late duke said a private funeral for family and the estate will be held at Stratfield Saye Church on Thursday January 8.
The date of a memorial service to be held in London will be announced shortly, he said.
Commemorations of the battle are being overseen by Waterloo 200.
The organisation's chairman Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter said: "We are very sad that he will not make the 200th anniversary, particularly the service of remembrance (at St Paul's Cathedral) on June 18.
"He was kept abreast of matters right up to about a month ago and he was certainly wanting to be present at the service."
Before his death, the duke spoke of the importance of marking the landmark.
In a message posted on the Waterloo 200 website, he said: "I am often asked whether we should not now, in these days of European unity, forget Waterloo and the battles of the past.
"My reply is, history cannot be forgotten and we need to be reminded of the bravery of the thousands of men from many nations who fought and died in a few hours on June 18 1815 and why their gallantry and sacrifice ensured peace in Europe for 50 years."
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