Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk

Edward William Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk, (born 2 December 1956), styled Earl of Arundel between 1975 and 2002, is a British peer who holds the hereditary office of Earl Marshal and, as Duke of Norfolk, is the most senior peer in the peerage of England.

He is also the titular head of the House of Howard.

The Duke, then Earl of Arundel, married Georgina Susan Gore on 27 June 1987 at Arundel Cathedral.

Together, they have three sons and two daughters:

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 while at school at Ampleforth College and currently holds two appointments in the Scout Movement.

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 is also, by virtue of this office, one of the hereditary judges of 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.

In June 2003 he was awarded the Medal of Merit for Services to the Scout Movement.

He is an Honorary Fellow of St Edmund's College, Cambridge.

Norfolk was appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) in the 2022 Birthday Honours.

As hereditary Earl Marshal, he had responsibility for arranging the 19 September 2022 state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the accession and coronation of King Charles III.

He used that official role as the grounds for his successful application to have the public and the press excluded from some of the hearing before he was sentenced for a driving offence.

He had driven through a red light while using a mobile phone in his car.

This led to a six months driving ban, and various fines and orders for costs.

The Duke lives at Arundel Castle.

He was disqualified from driving for six months in September 2022, as a result of a driving offence in April 2022.

Added to previous motoring convictions, he incurred an excess of penalty points, resulting in the ban.

His barrister argued in mitigation that he needed the ability to drive to organise the coronation of King Charles III.

A Roman Catholic, the Duke of Norfolk is recognised by the Vatican as England's senior representative of the faith.

He was until 2010 the President of 1st Arundel (Earl of Arundel's Own) Scout Group, and still serves as President of the Arundel & Littlehampton District Scouts.

He is also Patron of West Sussex County Scouts.

The Duke and Duchess separated in 2011, but were reconciled by 2016, only to split up again; their divorce became final in 2022.

On 12 November 2022, the Duke married Francesca Herbert (née Bevan), former wife of The Hon. Henry Herbert, second son of the 7th Earl of Carnarvon.

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 College, a Roman Catholic independent school, before going up to Lincoln College, Oxford.

He has a brother and three sisters.

His only brother, Lord Gerald Fitzalan-Howard, runs the Carlton Towers estate with his wife, Emma Fitzalan-Howard.

The Duke's oldest sister is the Countess of Balfour.

His second sister, Lady Carina Fitzalan-Howard, is the widow of broadcaster David Frost.

His third and youngest sister is the actress Marsha Fitzalan.