Their son, Edward (1785–1848), inherited his late uncle's Powis estates on his 21st birthday, taking the surname Herbert in compliance with his uncle's will. Edward Herbert served in a range of administrations as an Anti-Catholic Tory, his speeches in the House of Commons being "cautious and pertinent, although marred by dull delivery". He died in 1848, following a hunting accident at Powis in which he was shot by his second son. No further major changes were made to the Powis estate during his time, or in the long reign of his eldest son Edward (1818–1891), the third Earl, although the castle was well maintained. In honour of his great-grandfather, the 3rd Earl was offered the Viceroyalty of India by Disraeli but declined, writing "Not worth considering. Powis" on the envelope containing the invitation. The final alterations to Powis Castle were undertaken at the beginning of the 20th century by G. F. Bodley for George Charles Herbert, 4th Earl of Powis (1862–1952). The rooms designed by Bodley remain his only extant decorative scheme, due to the longevity of the 4th Earl, the deaths of his heirs, and his bequest of the castle to the National Trust. The 4th earl's wife, Violet (nee Lane-Fox), undertook the final transformation of the gardens of Powis Castle, which she felt had the potential to be "the most beautiful in England and Wales". The Countess died following a car accident in 1929, and Lord Powis outlived both his sons, who were killed on active service, Percy at the Battle of the Somme in 1916, and Mervyn in a plane crash in 1943. On his own death in 1952, he bequeathed the castle and gardens to the National Trust. The National Trust: 1952–present The fourth earl was succeeded by his cousin, Edward Herbert (1889–1974), the fifth Earl. Edward's heir was Christian Victor Charles Herbert (1904–1988), the sixth Earl. He was succeeded by his cousin, George William Herbert (1925–1993), who was in turn succeeded by his son, John, the 8th and current Earl. The Herbert family continue to live in part of the castle, under arrangement with the National Trust. The Trust has undertaken a number of major works of restoration during its ownership, including the Marquess Gate, the Grand Staircase, and the sculpture of Fame in the Outer Courtyard. Architecture and description Exterior Entrance to the castle is made through an outer gatehouse, with the stables to