Sir Ranulph Fiennes, 82, a renowned British explorer and author, has not been seen in public for two years, according to recent reports. A government watchdog has determined that he was "unlawfully deprived of his liberty" when his wife, Louise Millington-Cotes, placed him in a series of care homes. Friends of Fiennes say his wife maintains strict control over his care, limiting who can visit and instructing staff to alter his appearance when he goes out in public. The issue came to light after a care home in Wales raised concerns about Fiennes’ welfare with authorities and the police, as reported by The Daily Telegraph. The owner of the facility wrote to the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), a government body that oversees the welfare of people under guardianship, about medical arrangements made by Millington-Cotes. These included concerns over a 'do not resuscitate' document she provided, which raised questions about the legal and ethical aspects of his care. Fiennes’ friends are now considering legal action to challenge his wife’s guardianship. He married Millington-Cotes after the death of his first wife, Virginia "Ginny" Fiennes, in 2004 from cancer. The couple has a 20-year-old daughter, Elizabeth. Fiennes was reportedly placed in a London care home last year, where visitors were required to sign non-disclosure agreements before being allowed to see him. He was later moved to care facilities in Wales and Cheshire, with only his wife and daughter believed to know his exact location. The controversy arose partly because Millington-Cotes took steps to conceal Fiennes’ identity from staff, residents, and visitors. According to the care home owner, she claimed he was "an ex-SAS man whose life might be in danger from extremists," and staff at a previous facility had allegedly attempted to harm him. To prevent recognition, she insisted he be registered under a false name and wear a hat, sunglasses, and gloves to hide his frostbite-damaged fingers during walks. Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), established under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, are designed to protect individuals who lack mental capacity, such as those with dementia, by ensuring their rights are respected. A DoLS order must be approved by two professionals not involved in the individual’s care and requires a nominated representative. However, Care Inspectorate Wales, the independent regulator of social care, stated it would not comment on personal circumstances or care arrangements. Millington-Cotes has not yet responded to the allegations.