Actor Joseph Fiennes visited his cousin, explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, at a care home in west London last year where the latter was living under an assumed name, according to reports. The reunion took place in July 2025 at KYN Hurlingham, several months after family and friends had been attempting to locate Sir Ranulph, who has been suffering from Parkinson’s disease and experiencing a decline in health.

Sir Ranulph, 82, was residing at the facility using the pseudonym "Ron Westwood." Joseph Fiennes, 56, who is known for his role in "Shakespeare in Love," managed to see him despite restrictions on family access that had caused concerns among relatives. The meeting also included Arabella Pepper, the younger sister of Sir Ranulph’s late first wife, Ginny, who described how the explorer’s face brightened upon seeing Joseph. Relatives had reportedly been required to sign non-disclosure agreements in order to visit, though it is unclear if Joseph Fiennes signed such an agreement.

The visit occurred six months before Joseph Fiennes contacted the Office of the Public Guardian in January 2026 to raise concerns about Sir Ranulph’s welfare, particularly regarding his limited contact with friends and family. Joseph characterized the situation as “terrible” and expressed distress over the lack of response from authorities following his complaint. He also voiced broader worries about the potential for similar situations affecting other vulnerable individuals.

Efforts by Sir Ranulph’s wider circle to arrange visits reportedly involved communication between Susannah Fiennes, another cousin, and Sir Ranulph’s wife, Louise Millington-Cotes. Millington-Cotes could not be reached for comment, and details surrounding the management of Sir Ranulph’s care remain limited.

Cheshire police, while not responsible for the London facility, stated that they were satisfied Sir Ranulph was living in an appropriate setting with suitable care. The nature of the restrictions on family contact and the reasons for the use of an alias have not been publicly explained.

Joseph Fiennes and other family members have highlighted the challenges they faced in maintaining contact with Sir Ranulph amid his health struggles, underscoring ongoing concerns about the oversight of care for vulnerable individuals residing in private facilities.