Emma Manners, Duchess of Rutland

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:

• Lady Violet Diana Louise Manners (b. 18 August 1993)
• Lady Alice Louisa Lilly Manners (b. 27 April 1995)
• Lady Eliza Charlotte Manners (b. 17 July 1997)
• Charles John Montague, Marquess of Granby (b. 3 July 1999)
• Lord Hugo William James Manners (b. 24 July 2003)

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]}

The Estate sits on 15,000 acres of land. This land is now subject to inheritance tax based on the UK governments tax changes with respect to farmland and inhertence announced in 2024. Ms Manners has spoken out against this change and marched with farmers to protest. ^[6]