a member of the somerset family headed by the duke of beaufort, somerset was the son of richard somerset, 2nd baron raglan, by his first wife lady georgina lygon, third daughter of henry lygon, 4th earl beauchamp. he was a godchild of george v of hanover, somerset became a page of honour to queen victoria in 1868, which he remained until 1874. he was educated at eton and the royal military college, sandhurst.