His Grace The Most Noble Sir James George Alexander Bannerman Carnegie, 3rd Duke of Fife, 12th Earl of Southesk, Earl of Macduff, Lord Carnegie of Kinnaird, 12th Lord Carnegie of Kinnaird and Leuchars, Baron Balinhard of Farnell, and 9th Baronet, is the only son of Sir Charles Carnegie, 11th Earl of Southesk and 8th Baronet (1893-1992) and his wife, HH Princess Maud (1905-1945), the younger daughter of Alexander Duff, 1st Duke of Fife and Louise, Princess Royal and Duchess of Fife. As the son of the Earl of Southesk, he held the courtesy title of Lord Carnegie of Kinnaird from birth. On 26 February 1959, he succeeded his maternal aunt, HRH Princess Arthur of Connaught, as the 3rd Duke of Fife and Earl of MacDuff. He succeeded his father as 12th Earl of Southesk and 9th Baronet, as well as chief of the Clan Carnegie on 16 February 1992.
The Duke of Fife was educated at Ludgrove, Gordonstoun, and at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. He served with the Scots Guards in Malaya in 1948-50. He served as vice patron of the Braemar Royal Highland Society and of the British Olympic Association. On 11 September 1956, the then-Lord Carnegie married the Hon. Caroline Dewar (born 12 February 1934), the elder daughter of Alexander Dewar, 3rd Baron Fortevoit. They divorced in 1966. The marriage produced two children:
| Preceded by: Princess Alexandra | Duke of Fife | Followed by: Current Incumbent |
| Preceded by: Charles Alexander Carnegie | Earl of Southesk | Followed by: Current Incumbent |