Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk
Edward William Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk, GCVO, DL, is the United Kingdom’s most senior non-royal peer and the hereditary Earl Marshal. Born on 2 December 1956, he became duke in 2002 after his father died. He is the head of the House of Howard and sits in the House of Lords as a Lord Temporal, ex officio as Earl Marshal.
He was educated at Ampleforth College and Lincoln College, Oxford. He has a brother and three sisters. He married Georgina Gore in 1987; they divorced in 2022. In November 2022 he married Francesca Herbert. They have five children, led by his heir, Henry Fitzalan-Howard, Earl of Arundel.
Before 2002 he worked in various companies and served as Deputy Earl Marshal from 2000 to 2002. As Earl Marshal, he arranges state occasions such as coronations and the State Opening of Parliament and heads the College of Arms.
He is a Roman Catholic and is recognized by the Vatican as England’s senior Catholic representative. He lives at Arundel Castle.
In 2022 he was made Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order. He has had driving offences, including a six-month ban in 2022.
He has been active in the Scout Movement, holding several leadership roles and receiving the Scout Medal of Merit in 2003.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 08:40 (CET).