Michael John James George Robert Howard, the 21st Earl of Suffolk and 14th Earl of Berkshire, was born on March 27, 1935. He inherited his titles in 1941 after his father's death while attempting to defuse a bomb. Educated briefly at Winchester College and then at Le Rosey in Switzerland, Howard became a member of the House of Lords in 1956, serving until 1999. He was known to have lived at Charlton Park in Wiltshire and used the name 'Suffolk' for his senior title.

Howard was married three times and had five children. His first marriage was to Simone Litman, with whom he had a daughter who passed away in infancy. His second marriage was to Anita Fugelsang, and they had two children: Alexander, who succeeded him as the 22nd Earl of Suffolk, and Katharine. His third marriage was to Linda Jacqueline Paravicini, and they had two daughters, Philippa and Natasha. The Earl passed away on August 5, 2022, at the age of 87. It was revealed after his death that he had served as an inspiration for the literary character Rupert Campbell-Black.