He succeeded his father in the barony of Herbert of Lea in 1861 and the following year he inherited the earldom of Pembroke on the death of his uncle.

[2] Lord Pembroke never accepted office again, and rarely spoke in the House of Lords, but he continued to take a keen interest in public affairs, both imperial and domestic, and communicated his views, through various periodicals and by speeches in the country, upon Ireland, the land question, imperial defence, and the navy.

He took a leading part in the volunteer movement, holding a commission for upwards of twenty years, and commanding the South Wilts battalion until within a few months of his death.

Lord Pembroke was a good sportsman, having been first a master of harriers for many years, and later of foxhounds; but a bad fall put an end to his hunting, and latterly he spent much of his time afloat, yachting and boat-sailing.

[3] Lord Pembroke married Lady Gertrude Frances, daughter of Henry Chetwynd-Talbot, 18th Earl of Shrewsbury, in 1874.