The Mail on Sunday can disclose that the nobleman who oversaw the Queen’s funeral plans is getting married once again after divorcing earlier this year.
While on vacation in Italy last month, Edward Fitzalan-Howard, Duke of Norfolk is said to have proposed to his girlfriend Francesca “Chica” Herbert.
She was the ex-wife of Henry Herbert, the late 7th Earl of Carnarvon’s son and Highclere Castle’s location for the filming of Downton Abbey. Henry Herbert was the Queen’s race manager.
The Duke of Norfolk oversaw King Charles’ coronation in his capacity as Earl Marshal. He is organising his wedding for November while simultaneously getting ready for the event, the date of which is yet to be determined.
After divorcing his wife of 34 years, Georgina, the 65-year-old, Britain’s oldest lay Catholic, told this newspaper earlier this year that he was “just extremely unhappy.” By God, we tried, but it was wholly impractical, so we had to go on.
Chica, 59, will have to share her title and estate with Georgina, 60, when Chica succeeds to the title of Duchess of Norfolk.