A day in the life of the lord: in the U.S., titles of nobility are prohibited by the Constitution. But kings, queens, dukes, and lords are still a big part of British society. In a recent interview, William Herbert, 28, tells what it's like to be an earl.

• Author: Lewine, Edward
• Position: Interview

What people call him:

Friends call me Will. Normally, estate employees call me Lord Pembroke. *

His house:

Wilton House [near Salisbury, 80 miles southwest of London] was built by my family in 1542 on land given to the first earl by King Henry VIII. It's pretty big. People always ask how many bedrooms it has, and theoretically there are 20. I haven't really counted.

Living in a tourist attraction:

We get around 70,000 visitors a year. They see the best parts of the house: the state rooms; the Rembrandt; the ancient sculpture collection; the gardens.

His job:

I run the estate, which is actually a huge business. There are around 140 employees. The main income from the house comes from rents. There's 14,000 acres, and that's divided into 14 farms [and] more than 200 residential properties.

Family obligations:

The title [earl] and the estate go to the eldest male heir, and since I have no children, brothers, or uncles, I am sort of the last in line. Generally you try to have an heir and a spare, so there's a bit of pressure to marry.

Distinguished heirloom:

A lock of Queen Elizabeth I's hair.

Tech item he can't live without:

My PlayStation 2.

Night terrors:

I've been here alone since my father died, and I don't think I've ever gone to bed calmly. There are long, dark corridors, and I imagine someone rushing up behind me. I have to tell myself: "You are a grown man. Do not run."

Best thing about Wilton House:

Being able to share it with my friends. I can have 20 friends around for supper, or pool parties on long, lazy weekends.

Worst thing about Wilton House:

You are never totally alone.

Favorite item of clothing:

I don't dress the part of an earl in tweeds. I like a good pair of jeans.

Best recent gift:

It is a bit...