[2][3] FitzAlan was born at 11 Carlton House Terrace, Westminster, the second son of Henry Fitzalan-Howard, 14th Duke of Norfolk by his wife the Hon.

In 1899 he was appointed, by Redvers Buller, as the military censor of telegraph communications in Cape Town, South Africa, on the outbreak of the Boer War.

[8] That provision provided that no British subject would be disqualified from holding the position on account of his religious belief.

[10] In addition, during the minority of his nephew the 16th Duke of Norfolk, who succeeded to the dukedom in 1917, he served as Deputy Earl Marshal.

They lived at Cumberland Lodge in Windsor Great Park and had two children: FitzAlan died on 18 May 1947 at the age of 91, and was succeeded in the viscountcy by his only son, Henry.