Bernard Fitzalan-Howard, 16th Duke of Norfolk facts for kids

Quick facts for kids His Grace The Duke of Norfolk KG GCVO GBE TD PC
Earl Marshal
In office 11 February 1917 – 31 January 1975
Monarch	George V Edward VIII George VI Elizabeth II
Preceded by	The 15th Duke of Norfolk
Succeeded by	The 17th Duke of Norfolk
Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal
In office 11 February 1917 – 31 January 1975 Hereditary Peerage
Preceded by	The 15th Duke of Norfolk
Succeeded by	The 17th Duke of Norfolk
Personal details
Born	Bernard Marmaduke Fitzalan-Howard (1908-05-30)30 May 1908
Died	31 January 1975(1975-01-31) (aged 66)
Spouse	Lavinia Mary Strutt ​ (m. 1937)​
Children	Anne Cowdrey, 14th Lady Herries of Terregles Mary Mumford, 15th Lady Herries of Terregles Lady Sarah Clutton Jane Kerr, Marchioness of Lothian
Parents	Henry Fitzalan-Howard (father) Gwendolen Constable-Maxwell (mother)
Education	The Oratory School

Bernard Marmaduke Fitzalan-Howard, 16th Duke of Norfolk (born May 30, 1908 – died January 31, 1975) was an important British nobleman and politician. He was known as the Earl of Arundel and Surrey until 1917. Bernard became the Duke of Norfolk when he was only nine years old. This happened after his father, the 15th Duke, passed away.

His mother was Gwendoline Herries, the 12th Lady Herries of Terregles. Bernard also inherited her special title when she died in 1945. He went to The Oratory School for his education. Later, he joined the Royal Horse Guards in 1931. He served in the military for a few years.

During World War II, he was an "Agricultural Secretary" for Winston Churchill's government. This meant he helped with farming and food supplies for the country.

As the Earl Marshal, he had a very special job. He was in charge of organizing big national events. These included the coronations of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II. He also planned the funerals of King George VI and Winston Churchill. He even helped with the special ceremony for King Charles III when he became Prince of Wales.

The Duke was also a huge fan of cricket. He even managed the English cricket team on a tour to Australia. This made him quite famous in the news!

Personal Life of the Duke

The Duke married Lavinia Mary Strutt on January 27, 1937. They had four daughters together:

• Lady Anne Elizabeth Fitzalan-Howard (1938–2014). She became the 14th Lady Herries of Terregles.
• Lady Mary Katharine Fitzalan-Howard (1940–2017). She became the 15th Lady Herries of Terregles.
• Lady Sarah Margaret Fitzalan-Howard (1941–2015).
• Lady Theresa Jane Fitzalan-Howard (born 1945). She became the 16th Lady Herries of Terregles.

The 16th Duke of Norfolk passed away on January 31, 1975. He is buried at the Fitzalan Chapel near Arundel Castle in Sussex.

The Duke and Cricket

It was a big surprise when the Duke was chosen to manage the MCC cricket team. This team toured Australia in 1962–63. The Duke loved cricket very much. He was even the President of the MCC from 1956 to 1957. He was still a powerful member of their committee.

He had even led his own cricket team on a tour to the West Indies in 1956–57. This team included famous English players. His father, the 15th Duke, had built a beautiful cricket ground at Arundel Castle. The 16th Duke continued to host matches there.

The Duke was not a great cricket player himself. It was a joke that his butler, who was also the umpire at Arundel, would say "His Grace is not in" when the Duke was out. This was a polite way of saying he was out! The Duke was chosen to manage the Australia tour partly because the new captain, Ted Dexter, was known to be a bit difficult. People joked that only a Duke could manage "Lord Ted."

The Duke was very popular with the players, the press, and the public. He clearly enjoyed the game. While in Australia, he also helped prepare for Queen Elizabeth II's Royal Visit in 1963. He had to return to Britain for a month during the tour for official duties.

Player's cigarette card featuring the Earl Marshal in coronation dress.

The Duke of Norfolk and Earl Marshal Role

The Duke of Norfolk holds a very old and important title. He is the Earl Marshal and Hereditary Marshal of England. This means his family has held this special job for a very long time.

In this role, the Duke is responsible for organizing major state ceremonies. These include:

• The coronation of King George VI in 1937.
• The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
• The state funerals of King George VI in 1952.
• The state funeral of Winston Churchill in 1965.
• The special ceremony for Prince Charles (now King Charles III) when he became the Prince of Wales in 1969.

When the 16th Duke died, his dukedom went to his second cousin once removed, Miles Stapleton-Fitzalan-Howard, 17th Duke of Norfolk. However, his eldest daughter, Anne, inherited the Scottish title of Lady Herries of Terregles.

Family Tree

Titles and Honours

Titles

• Earl of Arundel (1908–1917)
• His Grace The Duke of Norfolk (1917–1975)

Honours

• Knight of The Most Noble Order of The Garter (1937)
• Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (1946)
• Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (1968)
• Territorial Decoration (1969)
• Privy Council of the United Kingdom (1936)
• Lord Lieutenant of Sussex (1949–1974)
• Deputy Lieutenant of Sussex (1945)
• Lord Lieutenant of West Sussex (1974–1975)

See also

• Re Duke of Norfolk's Settlement Trusts [1982] Ch 61, a case concerning the payment of the trustees of the 16th Duke's family trust