He was the grandson of Esmé Stewart, 3rd Duke of Lennox. On 10 December 1645 he was created Baron Stuart of Newbury, Berkshire, and Earl of Lichfield, titles conferred on him "to perpetuate the titles which were intended to have been conferred on his uncle" Lord Bernard Stewart, youngest son of the Duke of Lennox, who had been killed in the Battle of Rowton Heath in the English Civil War in September of that year.
In the following year he fell under the displeasure of The Protectorate"s Council of State, and warrants were issued for seizing his person and goods. Charles Stewart married, firstly, Elizabeth Rogers, after June 1659. Charles Stewart returned to England with Charles II in 1660, and sat in the Convention Parliament, showing great animosity towards the supporters of the Commonwealth.
In that same year he was created Hereditary Great Chamberlain of Scotland, Hereditary Great Admiral of Scotland, and Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset.
In 1671 he was sent as ambassador to the Danish court to persuade Denmark to join England and France in a projected attack on the Dutch. He was buried on 20 September 1673 at Westminster Abbey.
The titles Duke of Richmond, Duke of Lennox and Earl of March, were resurrected for Charles II"s illegitimate son by Louise de Kérouaille, Charles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond and Lennox, in 1675.
