The Duchess of Rutland | |
|---|---|
| Born | Emma Watkins 2 September 1963 Cardiff, Wales |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Issue | Lady Violet Manners Lady Alice Manners Lady Eliza Manners Charles Manners, Marquess of Granby Lord Hugo Manners |
Rachel Emma Manners, Duchess of Rutland (née Watkins, born 2 September 1963) is a British noblewoman and podcaster. She is the daughter of a farmer from Wales and married David Manners, the 11th Duke of Rutland in 1992. She separated from him in September 2012.
Born Emma Watkins, the daughter of a farmer from Knighton, Powys (then within Radnorshire). After schooling at Ellerslie School, Malvern, she started training as an opera singer at the Guildhall School of Music, but dropped out. She then began training as a land agent in Southampton, but quickly moved into working in estate agents marketing properties in London. She later worked as an interior designer until her marriage, after meeting her future husband at a dinner party.[1]
Today, the Duchess runs the commercial activities of Belvoir Castle, including shooting parties, weddings and a range of furniture.[1] She has presented on various television programmes, including ITV's Castles, Keeps and Country Homes, and has produced a book about Belvoir Castle.[1]
In 2021, the Duchess created a podcast titled Duchess, where she interviews châtelaines of castles and stately homes throughout the United Kingdom.[2] In her podcast's first season, she interviewed Lady Ingilby of Ripley Castle, Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill of Blenheim Palace, Lady Derby of Knowsley Hall, Demetra Lindsay of Hedingham Castle, Lady Devon of Powderham Castle, Catherine Maxwell Stuart of Traquair House, The Hon. Martha Lytton-Cobbold of Knebworth House, Caroline, Duchess of Fife of Kinnaird Castle, Eleanor Campbell, Duchess of Argyll of Inveraray Castle, and Lady Mansfield of Scone Palace.[3]
In her third season, she interviewed Alexandra Gage, Viscountess Gage of Firle Place.[4]
Watkins married David Manners, 11th Duke of Rutland, in 1992. They separated in 2012 but continue to co-habitate.[5] The couple have five children:
The family initially lived in the adjacent Knipton Lodge, a six-bedroomed Georgian house. Following the death in 1999 of the 10th Duke, they moved into newly renovated private apartments in 2001 which had formerly been the nanny's residence.[citation needed]