Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk

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Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk bigraphy, stories - Duke

Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk : biography

2 December 1956 –

Edward William Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk (born 2 December 1956), styled Earl of Arundel between 1975 and 2002, is a British peer.

Ancestry

Patrilineal descent

Edward’s patriline is the line from which he is descended father to son. Patrilineal descent is the principle behind membership in Ducal Houses, as it can be traced back through the generations – which means that Edward’s historically accurate Ducal House is Howard.

  1. Sir John Howard of Wiggenhall, living about 1260
  2. Sir William Howard, knight, judge and MP in 1295, d. 1305
  3. John Howard, knight, married Joan of Cornwall, illegitimate daughter of Richard, 1st Earl of Cornwall (Plantagenet)
  4. Sir Robert Howard, d. 1388
  5. Sir John Howard, knight
  6. Sir Robert Howard, 1407–1436
  7. John Howard, 1st Duke of Norfolk, 1425–1485
  8. Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk, 1443–1524
  9. Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk, 1473–1554
  10. Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, 1517–1547
  11. Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, 1536–1572
  12. Philip Howard, 20th Earl of Arundel, 1557–1595
  13. Thomas Howard, 21st Earl of Arundel, 1585–1646
  14. Henry Howard, 22nd Earl of Arundel, 1608–1652
  15. Bernard Howard, 1641–1717
  16. Bernard Howard, 1674–1735
  17. Henry Howard, 1713–1787
  18. Bernard Howard, 12th Duke of Norfolk, 1765–1842
  19. Henry Howard, 13th Duke of Norfolk, 1791–1856
  20. Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Glossop, 1818–1883
  21. Francis Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 2nd Baron Howard of Glossop, 1859–1924
  22. Bernard Fitzalan-Howard, 3rd Baron Howard of Glossop, 1885–1972
  23. Miles Stapleton-Fitzalan-Howard, 17th Duke of Norfolk, 1915–2002
  24. Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk, b. 1956

Titles from birth

  • Edward Fitzalan-Howard, Esq. (1956–1971)
  • The Hon. Edward Fitzalan-Howard (1971–1975)
  • Earl of Arundel (1975–2002)
  • His Grace The Duke of Norfolk (2002–present)

Background and education

Norfolk is the son of Miles Francis Stapleton Fitzalan-Howard, 17th Duke of Norfolk, and his wife Anne Mary Teresa Constable-Maxwell. He was educated at Ampleforth, a Roman Catholic independent school, and then attended Lincoln College, Oxford.

Peerages

In 2002, he inherited the Dukedom of Norfolk, as well as a number of Earldoms, Baronies, hereditary offices, and titles attached to the Dukedom, from his father. His office of Earl Marshal, one of the Great Officers of State, makes him responsible for State occasions, such as coronations and the State Opening of Parliament. He also is, by virtue of this office, one of the hereditary judges in the Court of Chivalry and head of the College of Arms, responsible for heraldry in England and Wales as well as other parts of the Commonwealth of Nations.

List of Peerages

  • 18th Duke of Norfolk (Premier Duke of England)
  • 36th Earl of Arundel (17th of the 3rd creation) (Premier Earl of England)
  • 19th Earl of Surrey
  • 16th Earl of Norfolk
  • 13th Baron Beaumont
  • 26th Baron Maltravers
  • 16th Baron FitzAlan
  • 16th Baron Clun
  • 16th Baron Oswaldestre
  • 5th Baron Howard of Glossop

List of hereditary offices

  • Earl Marshal
  • Hereditary Marshal of England
  • Chief Butler of England (One of three claimants to this office before the 1902 Court of Claims. The dispute was never resolved.)

Career

Norfolk worked with various companies, and from 2000 to 2002 was Deputy Earl Marshal. Upon the death of his father in 2002, he inherited the late Duke of Norfolk’s peerages and the position of Earl Marshal. He was a Cub Scout whilst at school at Ampleforth College. He holds two appointments in the Scout Movement, he was until 2010 the President of 1st Arundel (Earl of Arundel’s Own) Scout Group but is still the president of the Arundel & Littlehampton District Scouts. He is also patron of West Sussex County Scouts. In June 2003 he was awarded the Medal of Merit for Services to the Scout Movement.

Personal life

The Duke, then named Earl of Arundel, married Georgina Susan Gore on 27 June 1987 at Arundel Cathedral. Together, they have three sons and two daughters:

  • Henry Miles Fitzalan-Howard, Earl of Arundel, born 3 December 1987.
  • Lady Rachel Fitzalan-Howard, born 10 June 1989.
  • Lord Thomas Fitzalan-Howard, born 14 March 1992.
  • Lady Isabel Fitzalan-Howard, born 7 February 1994.
  • Lord Philip Fitzalan-Howard, born 14 July 1996.

In April 2011 it was announced that the Duke and Duchess are seeking a trial-separation.