JAMIE Spencer-Churchill - the 12th Duke of Marlborough - will move into Blenheim Palace, the estate confirmed today.

Following his father’s death yesterday morning, the former Marquess of Blandford became the 12th man in his family to inherit the title, but it was not clear if he would move in to the family seat.

But an announcement from trustees of the palace today said: “The Trustees of Blenheim Palace would like to confirm that Charles James Spencer-Churchill, formerly known as the Marquess of Blandford, has inherited his father's titles and Blenheim Palace will become his family home.

“The Trustees and staff at Blenheim look forward to working with him to continue the legacy of the 11th Duke in preserving and enhancing the Blenheim Palace World Heritage site for the benefit of future generations.”

Yesterday tributes flooded in for the late 11th Duke, John Spencer-Churchill, when Blenheim Palace announced he had passed away.

They were led by Prime Minister David Cameron, who said he had been “a good man and friend”.

Mr Cameron said: "His Grace will be deeply missed by all those he worked alongside at Blenheim and by the town of Woodstock where he played such a positive and active role in the community he loved.

"My thoughts and prayers are with all his family and friends at this sad time."

During the 11th Duke’s time at Blenheim, the palace and its grounds were opened up considerably to the public and declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1987.

But in 1994 he applied to court to pass the management of Blenheim Palace to a board of Trustees. The chief executive has been John Hoy since 2003.

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