Six months before the coronation of Charles III, for which he is responsible, the Duke of Norfolk married Francesca Herbert for a second time on November 10, 2022, in London. The beginning of a new life for the couple who celebrated their union surrounded by their loved ones, as revealed by the DailyMail.
A certain commotion reigns at the old town hall of Chelsea, in London, on this Thursday evening, November 10, 2022. Guests gathered in small groups to attend the wedding of Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk and Earl Marshal of England, to Francesca “Chica” Herbert. While waiting for her mother to arrive, Francesca “Frankie” Herbert grabs her smartphone to immortalize the meeting.
A wide smile can be read on Edward and Chica’s face during the exchange of consents. Aged 59, the new Duchess of Norfolk, radiant in her white suit, savors these moments of happiness alongside her husband. “I revealed last December that the duke was dating Chica. He had told me the week before that his union with Georgina was over”, indicates the journalist of the DailyMail Richard Eden, who announced the remarriage of Edward Fitzalan-Howard.
By saying “yes” to their blended family and friends, this November 10, Edward and Chica are embarking on a new stage of their lives together which will notably take place in Arundel Castle, the historic residence of the Dukes of Norfolk, in the West Sussex. “My beautiful mum got married! What a beautiful and lovely evening. I am so happy for you both. I loved every moment. Congratulations mum and Eddie!”, wrote her Instagram account Frankie Herbert, sharing tender photos of the bride and groom and his brother and sister.
Like the undisguised enthusiasm of the young woman, the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk can indeed count on the precious support of their children born from their previous union.
From Highclere Castle to Arundel Castle
In 1992, Francesca married Harry Herbert, younger son of the 7th Earl of Carnarvon. Together they have two daughters, Chloe (1994) and Francesca aka Frankie (1995), and a son named William (1999). In October 2016, Tatler had selected Chloe as one of the ideal brides for Prince Harry. “This 22-year-old art history student knows castle etiquette: she grew up just behind Highclere and used to have her birthday parties in the castle’s tea room. She is the daughter of the charming racehorse trainer Harry Herbert, brother of the Earl of Carnarvon When she met actor Hugh Bonneville while filming Downton Abbey, she was so impressed that she curtsied. It bodes well for meeting the Queen,” the British magazine wrote at the time.
For nearly twenty years, Chica Herbert was thus the daughter-in-law of the owner of Highclere Castle, in Berkshire. The 7th Earl of Carnarvon, nicknamed Porchey, is also Elizabeth II’s racing director, a position which her son-in-law John Warren will inherit on her death in 2001. Chica and Harry Herbert separated in 2017. The latter remarried four years later to Irish chef Clodagh McKenna. A wedding celebrated on the family grounds of Highclere in the presence of his children Chloe, Francesca and William Herbert.
For his part, the Duke of Norfolk has five children – Henry, Earl of Arundel, Rachel, Thomas, Isabel and Philip – born from his first marriage to Georgina Gore, celebrated in June 1987. Separated in 2011, Edward and Georgina are recovering together five years later before their divorce was finalized last summer. “By God, we tried. For the sake of our family and because we are Catholics, we really tried everything. It turned out to be totally impossible and we had to go ahead. The final divorce was requested a year ago and it was finally pronounced”, then confides the Duke of Norfolk to the DailyMail. “It’s terribly sad but we have to move on for the sake of our children. We can’t keep doing this to them,” he adds.
A role in the coronation of Charles III?
Only twelve days after her remarriage, the new Duchess of Norfolk makes a remarkable appearance alongside the Earl of Wessex, at Buckingham. Francesca is indeed invited to the banquet given, this November 22, in honor of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is on a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom. Edward Fitzalan-Howard’s wife sports a sapphire and diamond necklace, which belonged to Mona Fitzalan-Howard, the Duke of Norfolk’s maternal grandmother. Worn several times over the decades by his daughters, this heirloom reappears notably at the wedding of Henry, Earl of Arundel and son of Edward, to Cecilia Colacicchi, in July 2016.
By becoming Duchess of Norfolk, Chica also inherits new responsibilities. As Earl Marshal of England and first peer of the kingdom, her husband has important functions. Each year, he participates in the opening of Parliament. He notably organized the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II last September and is preparing meticulously for the coronation of Charles III on May 6, 2023 in Westminster Abbey. Chica should assist Edward Fitzalan-Howard in the preparations, as did Lavinia, wife of Bernard, 16th Duke of Norfolk, organizer of the coronation of Elizabeth II. The Duchess then slipped into the skin of the young sovereign during the rehearsals. A role that Francesca should resume in the coming months.
