Duke Who Planned Queen's Funeral Gets Banned from Driving After Using Phone Behind the Wheel

Mar. 15, 2025

The Duke of Norfolk has been ordered to hit the brakes.

The handheld use of a cell phone while driving isagainst the lawin the United Kingdom.

The Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk.PA Images via Getty

The Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk, at Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court, London, where he has been banned from driving for six months after pleading guilty to using his mobile phone while driving. Edward Fitzalan-Howard, who was responsible for organising the Queen’s funeral, was stopped by police on April 7 after officers spotted him using the device as his BMW cut across their vehicle after going through a red light in Battersea, south-west London. Picture date: Monday September 26, 2022. (Photo by PA/PA Images via Getty Images)

The Duke of Norfolk also plannedQueen Elizabeth’s state funeral, which took place last Monday.

After hearing his statement, Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court ultimately added six points to the Duke’s license and banned him from driving for six months, theBBCreported.

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Garter Principle King of Arms, David Vines White, reads the proclamation of Britain’s new King, King Charles III

“We accept that this a unique case because of the defendant’s role in society and in particular in relation to the King’s coronation,” said Judith Way, magistrate chair. “The hardship needs to be exceptional and although we find inconvenience may be caused, we don’t find it exceptional hardship.”

The Duke of Norfolk has also been fined about $850 and must pay another $425 in other costs.

The courtier inherited the unique dukedom when his father, Miles Fitzalan-Howard, died in 2002. The title of Earl Marshal has been passed down in the family for 350 years, and with it the daunting responsibility of orchestrating major ceremonies like the State Opening of Parliament, state funerals and coronations for new monarchs,The Timesreported. He had been planningQueen Elizabeth’s funeral for 20 years.

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Prince of Wales signs the Proclamation of Accession of King Charles III,

He was also present at theAccession Ceremonyfor the new King, 73, watching on asPrince William,Queen Camillaand Prime MinisterLiz Trusssigned the Proclamation of Accession of King Charles III on September 10.

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“It’s all pretty scary, but you have to rise to the occasion,” the Duke of Norfolk toldThe Timesof the job. “I have an incredible team, but the buck stops with me.”

source: people.com

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