Money. Royals. Scandal. The Marten family has seen it all. Constance Marten, an heiress, was born into a wealthy family. Her family's PS115 million estate, royal links, and even a godmother who was close to the Queen Mother.
But her life took a shocking twist when she vanished with her partner, sparking one of Britain's biggest searches. Behind the drama is a bloodline tied to the royal household, old money, and high society.
In this article, we'll explore Constance Marten’s family tree in detail. We'll also discuss how one of Britain's bluest-blooded families became the centre of a modern tragedy.
The Constance Marten Family Tree
Everyone remembers the headlines about Constance Marten, right? She's the aristocrat who disappeared with her boyfriend and their newborn baby.
But few know the deep roots she came from. Her family's history stretches from royal palaces to the vast Crichel Estate. Here's how this once-glamorous bloodline began.
Mary Anna Marten (Grandmother)
At the root of the Marten family is Mary Anna Sibell Elizabeth Marten. She was the goddaughter of the Queen Mother and a trustee of the British Museum.
She was born on 12 September 1929. Her parents were Napier Sturt, 3rd Baron Alington, and Lady Mary Sibell Ashley-Cooper, daughter of the 9th Earl of Shaftesbury.
As a child, she joined the Buckingham Palace Brownies with Princess Margaret. She inherited Crichel House, a large estate in Dorset, after her father's death while serving in the RAF in 1940.
Mary Anna later made legal history in the Crichel Down Affair. She won back her family's land from the government. She died in 2010, aged 80.
Lt Cdr George Gosselin Marten (Grandfather)
George Marten was born on 28 December 1918. He served in the Royal Navy and worked as an equerry to King George VI.
In November 1949, he married Mary Anna Sturt. The wedding was attended by King George VI, the Queen Mother, and Princess Margaret. It was a true royal occasion of its time.
George died on 16 August 1998, aged 79.
He and Mary Anna had six children, five daughters and one son. Napier was the only son who later became Constance's father.
Napier Anthony Sturt Marten (Father)
Napier Marten was born on 28 March 1959. He attended Eton College and worked as a Page of Honour to Queen Elizabeth II.
He had inherited the Crichel Estate and a fortune of some PS115 million, which he afterwards relinquished. Napier immigrated to Australia, where he preferred leading a simpler and spiritual life.
In 1986, he got married to Virginie Charlotte Camu, and a year later, they had their first child, Constance.
At the age of nine, Napier is said to have abandoned the family. The couple later resorted to a divorce.,
Virginie Charlotte Camu de Selliers (Mother)
Virginie de Selliers was born on September 14, 1959, in Belgium. She was raised to be a therapist, and when she was older, she was able to work and assist people with trauma, grief, and family issues.
She has her own practices in Shaftesbury and Notting Hill. Virginie featured in the news in the month of February 2023 when she wrote a very emotional letter to her lost daughter, Constance.
“You are not the only one who is in this position. Well, we shall do what you need, with the help you need. I know you too well; you will be concentrated, smart, passionate, and complex; you have so much to spread to the world.”
In 1998, Virginie married again. Her new husband is Guy de Selliers de Moranville. He is from Belgium and works in finance.
Constance Dorothea Marten (Eldest Child)
Constance Marten was born in 1987. She was brought up in Dorset and London in her family’s estate.
Constance has gone to good schools and studied Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Leeds, and then trained at East 15 Acting School.
She disappeared with her partner, Mark Gordon, and their newborn baby in January 2023. The search was an international headline in Britain.
Constance Marten was known as a young aspiring actor who came from a wealthy family. But her story turned into one of scandal, distance, and tragedy. It was a drastic contrast to her noble origin.
Mark Gordon (Partner)
Mark Gordon was born in 1974 in Birmingham, but he spent the majority of his childhood in Florida. At 14, in the United States, he was convicted of both sexual assault and kidnapping. In 2010, he was deported to the UK after 20 years in prison.
Later on in the same few years, he met Constance Marten, and they led a nomadic life. Their way of life was characterized by frequent traveling and a nomadic way of life.
The level of privilege enjoyed by Constance attracted the attention of people, as she was raised as an aristocrat. The criminal record of Gordon, on the other hand, came under public criticism.
Their Child (Newborn)
In early 2023, Constance and Mark's newborn baby was reported missing and at the center of a national hunt. The two had been reported missing in January when they abandoned their car shortly after it was set on fire on the M61.
They were found in Brighton on 27 February 2023. Sadly, the infant was later found deceased in a wooded area nearby.
Police indicated that the infant died as a result of exposure. Both parents were charged with gross negligence manslaughter and concealing the identity of the birth.
The story was distressing for the public and clearly represented the event of a privileged upbringing and the grim way in which Constance's last few months had transpired.
Maximilian Marten (Younger brother)
Maximilian, or Max, works in real estate.
He married jewellery designer Ruth Aymer at York House, Richmond, in August 2021. Their brother Freddie attended the ceremony.
Frederic Marten (Brother)
Freddie Marten has kept a low profile. He occasionally appears in family photographs but otherwise steers clear of the public eye.
Tobias Marten (Youngest brother)
The youngest of the Marten siblings, Tobias Marten, once ran a tree-care business with his father in the West Country.
He remains close to Napier and far removed from the family's public dramas.
How to Make a Similar Family Tree?
Before you start making a family tree, take a moment to plan what you want to include and how you’ll present it. A little preparation makes the family story easier to follow and more interesting. Here are the key points to keep in mind:
- Decide the purpose: Think about why you are making the tree. Is it for school, family history, or genealogy research?
- Gather information: Collect names, birth and death dates, marriages, and relationships from family members or records.
- Check for accuracy: Make sure all facts, dates, and spellings are correct.
- Choose a structure and format: Decide whether you want an ancestor or descendant tree.
- Organize generations clearly: Start from a common ancestor or yourself and work outward so each generation is easy to follow.
- Add a personal touch: Include photos, short stories, or memorable details to bring your family members to life.
Steps to Make a Family Tree in EdrawMind
Now, if you want to make a family tree, there are various options available online. I’ve chosen EdrawMind to make this family tree, because it is easy to start with and provides numerous free family tree templates. If you want to have a try, here’s how to do it:
Try the app & get 500 free AI tokens
Step1 Create a New File & Add Title
- Open Wondershare EdrawMind.
- Select a blank mind map to start with a clean canvas.
- Add a floating topic and add a title: Constance Marten Family Tree.
Step2 Add Founding Members
- Click the main node and add subtopics for the first couple.
- Use a ring icon to show they are married.
Step3 Add Other Family Members
- From the couple’s branch, add six subtopics (children)
- Arrange them horizontally under the parents.
- Add Napier's children one by one.
- Also, link Constance with Mark Gordon (partner).
Step4 Customize Your Tree Design
- Use the floating or the right side toolbar to change colors, shapes, and fonts.
- You can color male members in blue and female members in pink for clarity.
Step5 Save or Export
- Save your project.
- Or you can download the tree as an image (PNG, JPG), PDF, etc.
Final Thoughts
The future of Constance Marten remains uncertain, but her story continues to capture public interest. Once part of Britain's upper class, she now faces a life far removed from privilege and royal ties. What happens next will depend on how she rebuilds her life after such a public tragedy.
If you want to map complex stories or family histories like hers, EdrawMind makes it simple. Organize people, events, and connections in one clear visual. Every story becomes easy to follow and memorable.
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