Controversial aristocrat who lost £1.2million divorce battle after advertising for 'castle-trained' wife claims he is being 'punished' for being white, male and upper class

By SHANNON MCGUIGAN, NEWS REPORTER Published: 10:46, 3 June 2026 | Updated: 10:48, 3 June 2026 A controversial aristocrat has claimed he has been victimised by a judge for being a 'white male' and upper-class after losing his divorce battle with his ex-wife over a £1.2million trust fund. Sir Benjamin Slade, 80, who once advertised for a 'castle-trained' non-communist lady to give birth to his heir, was embroiled in a legal battle with Lady Pauline Slade, as she wanted to sell a £585,000 property on his sprawling Somerset estate. The couple had previously been married for 12 years before divorcing in 1994, as the 7th Baronet of Maunsell, said he had become frustrated with her 17 cats. And as part of their split, Lady Slade was given a £1.2million trust fund made up of an 'income fund' now worth about £650,000, as well as Old Farm, valued at £585,000, located on his sprawling 2,000-acre Somerset estate. However, when she moved out of the home in 2023, she wanted the property sold by trustees so that she could pay her debts and increase her income, sparking a complicated legal battle. Meanwhile, lawyers, representing Sir Benjamin, who had been living in the property, argued she had no rights to the proceeds of the house because she only ever had the right to live there rent-free for life. The legal battle was eventually brought to the High Court by trustees of the fund, who asked a judge to determine whether Ms Slade had the right to profit from the sale of the property. The judge, Master Julia Clark, ruled against Sir Benjamin, finding that one of the main purposes of the trust was to provide his ex-wife with income 'during his lifetime'. Sir Benjamin pictured outside the High Court after a hearing for the dispute over Old Farm, where it was ruled his ex-wife had the right to profit from the sale of Old Farm, in Somerset Lady Pauline Slade, Sir Benjamin's ex-wife, had made an effort to sell the £585,000 house in which she lived following the pair's 1994 divorce settlement Following the verdict, the baronet, who is a descendant of Charles II, vowed to keep fighting the ruling, branding it a 'joke'. 'But I expected it,' he said. 'There is a lot of class hatred, and as a white male with my background, you are going to be punished. It is classic. 'I feel there is also a bit of reverse misogyny in play. It was a female judge who had just sided with my ex-wife.' In Master Clark's judgment, she said there was 'no basis for concluding that if Lady Slade does not direct the purchase of a replacement property that the overall purpose of the trust comes to an end'. She also found there was no basis to determine that if the former Lady Slade does not purchase a replacement home, her 'interest in the net proceeds of sale ends and reverts to Sir Benjamin'. The baronet's barrister, Robert Deacon, told the court that Lady Slade moved out in 2022 or 2023, later writing a letter in August 2024, confirming that she had no intention of living in the property again. Lady Slade went on to say that she had no wish to buy a 'replacement property' but wanted Old Farm to be sold for her benefit. After the verdict was reached, Sir Benjamin claimed he had tried to reach a 'sensible solution' with his ex-wife, but she 'refused to engage'. 'There is a prejudice against people with money. I have had this before. She is not a poor, vulnerable woman, though,' he said of his ex-wife. 'She is very rich, lives in a £3million apartment and has inherited a fortune. She has tonnes of money, but this is the class system working against me. 'What do you do? They were determined on war. She is a bit like a female version of Donald Trump and the Israelis.' Sir Benjamin claimed he had tried to mediate a solution, but said she had left the property in need of major repairs and had not been paying for its upkeep. He added: 'We just wanted to sort this thing out. But the game goes on and on with no finale. The only winners are the lawyers. 'The costs of the case from both sides are going to cost a fortune, and are going to have to come out of her income. 'We are disappointed and will be going back to court. The home is completely dilapidated, and she abandoned it. 'None of the outgoings have been paid. She has failed to maintain the property at all. 'The market is really bad, and the house is in disrepair. It has got to be fixed with someone's money, and you can not consider selling it in its current state. 'It is a very difficult solution.' Maunsel House, the family seat of Sir Benjamin Slade, pictured from above Lady Slade and Sir Benjamin outside Maunsel House in 1986, eight years before their divorce settlement that created the £1.2million trust fund - which they were embroiled in a legal battler over Comparing their legal battle to a neighbour's row over a garden fence, he claimed Lady Slade had only used the home once a year. 'This could end up going on for years,' he said. 'People will argue over a garden fence, and who owns this edge of a garden. 'It goes on all the time with boundary disputes. Legal fees go through the roof, and the loser is significantly ruined. 'We've got to do a deal. There is a whole list of things that need to be done. If it is sold, it will need to be tarted up. You can't just walk away and say "sell it". 'Although it goes into the trust and eventually comes back to me - I would not be happy to see it go for diddly squat.' It comes after Sir Benjamin previously hit headlines after offering £50,000-a-year for a 'good breeder' and 'castle-trained' wife to 'bear his heir'. Only applicants at least 20 years his junior were said to have been considered, and must be able to use a shotgun. Among his strict list of requirements was his new wife not being a Scorpio, a drug user or an alcoholic. And while he did not mind Canadians, Americans, Germans and Northern Europeans, he said: 'I don't think marrying an Eskimo is for me.' His list of requirements also stated that he did not want a wife who reads the Guardian, is Scottish, and is taller than 5ft 6ins. He said they must be able to ballroom dance, play bridge and backgammon and do crosswords. The preferred candidates were told they must have a shotgun and a driving licence, while a helicopter licence 'would be beneficial'. He also stated she must be able to run two castles and having estate and legal and accountancy training 'would be useful'. In return, he promised the candidate would be paid £50,000 plus a bonus per year, and this included a car, house, expenses, food and holidays. Sir Benjamin has a daughter, Violet, with Sahara Sunday Spain, but previously said he was still looking for a male heir who has genetic similarity to one of his further paternal ancestors. Sir Benjamin had been living in Old Farm after putting his manor house up for sale at a £3.5million asking price last year. Inside Maunsel House, which was listed for sale by Sir Benjamin at a £3.5million asking price  Aristocrat Sir Benjamin Slade on his estate with three of his dogs. He previously appealed for a wife and said a suitable candidate would be able to use a shotgun He is a direct descendant of one of the Duke of Wellington's generals - General Sir John Slade, the first baronet, who was once criticised by the Iron Duke for his inept handling of cavalry and for 'galloping at everything'. The family seat, now up for sale, is a sprawling 13-bedroom red-brick manor - Maunsel House in Somerset - which has origins stretching back to the 11th century and is said to be where Geoffrey Chaucer wrote some of his works. Inside, there is a blocked-off secret passage, which was once linked to the local parish church, while a well-stocked bar has a display cabinet with 81 firearms, including a heavy machine gun. Lady Slade, 79, is the daughter of the late Devon county cricketer and British Army officer Major Claude Myburgh. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? 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