Concern over the whereabouts of explorer Ranulph Fiennes, cousin of actors Ralph and Joseph Fiennes and a friend of Charles III

LONDON, September 26 — The whereabouts of renowned British explorer Ranulph Fiennes have become a subject of intense speculation after family and friends raised concerns about his disappearance. The 82-year-old, known for crossing the Earth's poles in the 1980s and numerous other feats, was last seen publicly nearly two years ago, following a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.

His wife, Louise Millington-Cotes, has reportedly placed him in a series of care homes, imposing strict conditions on his care. The Daily Telegraph's recent investigation revealed that a care watchdog in Wales concluded that Fiennes was "unlawfully deprived of his liberty" when housed in a Welsh facility earlier this year.

Fiennes's stepson, Alex Millington-Cotes, has launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover legal fees for locating and safeguarding his stepfather. Describing Fiennes as a "national treasure," Alex stressed that he has tried various methods to find him but found a "disgraceful status quo" where only a few individuals seem to care. Swiss-based explorer Michael Kobold has joined the campaign, calling for transparency regarding his whereabouts.

A former sister-in-law, Arabella McIntyre-Brown, who visited Fiennes in a London care home last year, reported that he was lucid and had expressed a desire to see his friends. However, after her visit, he was moved to a Welsh care home, a decision she deemed "absurd." A care home owner in Wales informed the regulator about Millington-Cotes' failure to provide required paperwork to protect vulnerable adults, leading the Care Inspectorate of Wales to conclude that Fiennes was being unlawfully deprived of his liberty.

Buckingham Palace was reportedly made aware of Fiennes' situation, with a palace staffer telling an old friend that "the king was concerned for Fiennes."