One of Sir Lancelot's brothers was Rear Admiral Laurence Richard Oliphant, who was married to the Hon.
Adelaide Daphne Hermione Willoughby, daughter of the 10th Baron Middleton, who are the grandparents of the present (34th) Chief of the Oliphants.
After World War 1 he was assistant secretary in the Foreign Office's central department, and acting counsellor from December 1920.
The Prince's adviser requested a loan of £500,000 to explore and develop the Saudi oil industry.
As a result of Oliphant's refusal the Saudis developed ties with the United States, and on 31 May an American team struck oil.
In his capacity of deputy under secretary of state in the run-up to the Second World War, Oliphant was at the centre of the political activity when Lord Halifax and Neville Chamberlain were trying to negotiate a peace agreement with Adolf Hitler.