In a surprising turn of events, the Duke of Norfolk, Edward FitzAlan Howard, found himself in hot water at the Lavender Hill Magistrate’s Court.
Despite his significant role in organizing the Queen’s Royal Burial, the 65-year-old Earl Marshal was handed a six-month driving prohibition for using his cell phone while driving.
The Duke, responsible for overseeing important royal events such as the Platinum Jubilee and the State Opening of Parliament, also received an £800 fine, £350 in expenses, and an £80 victim surcharge.
Additionally, he was slapped with six penalty points for the offense.
The court heard that on April 7, officers spotted the Duke using his cell phone after his BMW ran a red light in Battersea Park Road.
When pulled over, he argued that losing his driving privileges would severely impact his ability to carry out his duties, especially in organizing King Charles III’s upcoming coronation.
Expressing his reliance on driving for work, the Duke emphasized the necessity of his four-wheel drive to navigate between his residence at Arundel Castle and his office, which are four miles apart.
Despite having the means to hire a driver, he doubted their availability and timeliness in fulfilling his demanding schedule.
The Duke lamented the potential limitations a driving ban would impose on his ability to observe and monitor nature in the South Downs, citing the looming threat of global warming and the imperative to protect the environment for future generations.
Defending the Duke’s need to drive, his attorney, Natasha Dardashti, highlighted the magnitude of his responsibilities, particularly in planning the monumental coronation of King Charles III.
However, Magistrate Judith Way remained resolute in her decision, underscoring that while the Duke’s role was unique, the hardship posed by the driving ban did not qualify as exceptional.
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