Queen’s distant cousin faces deporation

A 71-year-old grandmother and distant relative to the Queen and Robert the Bruce is facing deportation after her immigration bid was knocked back.

Brenda Ackerman is a South African national, but has not lived there since 2006 and followed her daughter’s family to the UK five years ago.

But despite two applications to remain, her latest bid was refused with the Home Office writing to her on 26 April stating she must now go back.

The former veterinary surgery clerk has also never claimed benefits in the UK, since arriving in 2013, and has paid an annual £1,000 advance to cover any NHS charges – despite having health insurance.

Her husband Clifford Brown, who died in 2012, fought against Nazi Germany as part of the Allies’ South African contingent.

Family records also show she is the Queen’s 11th cousin, once removed, and also shares common ancestry with George VI, Robert the Bruce and King John.

Her ancestors emigrated from the UK in 1820.

But despite her immediate – and distant – family ties to the UK, the Home Office has said her application as a family dependent was refused “as it did not meet the requirements of immigration rules”.

Mrs Ackerman lives with her daughter in Worcester-