He served as Lord Steward of the Household in 1835 in Sir Robert Peel's first government.

In 1814, at the age of 14, he succeeded to the earldom of Wilton according to a special remainder on the death of his maternal grandfather.

In January 1835 he was appointed Lord Steward of the Household in the Tory administration of Sir Robert Peel[4] and the following February he was admitted to the Privy Council.

[12] Lord Wilton married firstly Lady Mary Stanley, daughter of the Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby, in 1821.

Lord Wilton died in March 1883, aged 82, and was succeeded in the earldom by his third but eldest surviving son Arthur.