The cost was partly defrayed by a bequest from his uncle William Lowther, 2nd Earl of Lonsdale, who died unmarried, and without legitimate issue, in 1872 and was succeeded by Lowther's elder brother, Henry. In 1873, he was granted the style and precedence of the younger son of an Earl by Royal Warrant.
The financial burden was partially reduced by a gift from his uncle William Lowther, 2nd Earl of Lonsdale, who passed away without any children or direct descendants in 1872 and left the estate to his elder brother, Henry. In 1873, he received the formal title and precedence of the younger son of an Earl through a royal decree.