This winter season, Her Grace Emma Manners, the Duchess of Rutland, has stepped out of England and into the Palm Beach social scene to celebrate the highly anticipated American Friends of Belvoir Castle Gala at The Breakers in February. Since 1508, the Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire has been home to the Manners family, first as Earls, then from 1703 as Dukes of Rutland. The gala will help fundraise three restoration and conservation projects on site of the castle, as well as securing the education of a student through an internship and a masters at Harlaxton University.
Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire, England.
Bringing the royalty of the Belvoir Castle with her, the Duchess will transform The Breakers Ballroom into a palace of its own with impressive splendor, including custom deGournay wallpapers, pipers and an orchestra, and a delicious feast fit for a king. In attendance will include Her Grace’s five children: Lady Violet Manners, Lady Alice Manners, Lady Eliza Manners, the Marquis of Granby and Lord Hugo Manners.
We spoke to the Duchess about her life as a Duchess and the upcoming social scene in Palm Beach.
What is it like being a Duchess in the 21st century?
Being a Duchess in the 21st century is hard work and not what people might imagine. You are generally paddling furiously beneath a calm veneer.
Walk us through a day in the life of a Duchess.
I am typically up at six in the morning with a cup of Earl Grey tea or a cup of my own Duchess tea created in Rutland for me by an artisan tea maker. Just as a side afternoon tea was first taken at Belvoir Castle in 1815 with the Duchess of Rutland of the day, Elisabeth had the Duchess of Bedford staying and they decided to break the afternoon with tea. Then, a jog around the Capability Brown parkland and a catch up with my partner Phil at 7.30am to discuss what we need to sort out with the grounds, the gardens on the Estate and the vineyard. I arrive at my desk at 8.30 and have a succession of meetings presently about our retail village with builders, planners, etc. Generally, my days are full of running the estate property portfolio, driving the visitor attraction forward and spending time on conservation projects on wallpapers, rugs and landscapes. If I have a lunch break, which is rare, I have a salad and ryvitas and often include a 30 minute meditation and then get going again in the afternoon. If I am lucky, I go for a walk with some of our 10 dogs or ride my wonderful Agnes around the grounds. Depending on the season, I catch up with members of the estate whether it is rearing birds for the shoot, picking our grapes from the vineyard or the apples from the heritage orchard. As a farmer’s daughter I love the seasons of the year. I end the day with a lovely supper cooked by me — my favourite being risotto. Then, an early night – in bed by 8.30pm.
What is it like to live in and maintain a 1,000 year old historic castle?
Expensive! However, it stays warm due to being heated by a biomass boiler using wood chips from the estate. The family has been at Belvoir for 1,000 years, but this building is 230 years old. It’s lively, as so much is going on from weddings, to hosting house visitors, shooting parties and five lively children. Your life is always being juggled between the public and the private spaces.
What is your favorite part of Belvoir Castle?
The Elisabeth Saloon because it is the iconic Duchess who I feel is on my shoulder every day driving me forward to keep the building going for another 1000 years!
Any notable events, movies, photoshoots, etc. that have taken place at Belvoir?
The Crown filmed at Belvoir Castle as if it was Windsor castle in the Netflix TV show. Other movies filmed at Belvoir castle include Young Queen Victoria, The Da Vinci code and many more!
I know you’ve spent some time in Palm Beach over the years, what do you most look forward to when visiting? Any fun stories to share?
I love Palm Beach and I had a particularly fun evening last night at the Colony Hotel for the Balmain event and meeting new people. I have enjoyed sharing about the history of Belvoir Castle at the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach and doing a podcast for the Four Arts Society – I adore Palm Beach and am so looking forward to sharing the experience with my children in February.
Tell us about your podcast. Why did you decide to start a podcast?
The podcast was an idea my daughter had to try and get other women who worked in heritage to share their stories – I thoroughly enjoy doing it and have had a wonderful opportunity to meet some great people along the way.
What do you think is the biggest misconception about you and/or other duchesses?
That it is glamorous – whilst they are very much fun moments my main day to day is like any other working Mum – busy and trying to juggle everything!
