About the show
Welcome to Duchess – the podcast in which the Duchess of Rutland explores the historic homes of Great Britain, and meets the inspiring women who lead them today. Have you ever watched Bridgerton, The Crown or Downton Abbey and wondered what it’s really like to be a Duchess? If so, this is the podcast for you. Stately homes are manors, palaces, and castles of great historic significance. They were built by the finest architects, adorned with the finest treasures and surrounded by breathtaking landscapes. They were homes to the most powerful families, their wealth and social pedigree shaped the world we live in today. Emma Rutland grew up far away from the world of the aristocracy, but her life changed forever when she married her husband – the 11th Duke of Rutland – and moved into Belvoir Castle. At once Emma became both a Duchess and custodian of one of Britain’s most important buildings. The Duchess wanted to learn more about this world, these homes, and the other inspiring women who, just like her, work tirelessly to ensure they see tomorrow. In this podcast the Duchess will travel to breathtaking homes, learn the epic tales of their construction, meet the historic figures that walked their halls, hear chilling ghost stories and the heartbreaking tales of romance. All of this whilst getting to know the inspiring, powerful women that work to find the delicate balance between preservation and transformation. Join Emma on a very special journey. This is Duchess, the podcast.
Episode Description:
For our final episode of this very special series, the Duchess will be meeting with the CEO of Belvoir Castle, Emma Stenning, to discuss the business of Belvoir: past, present and future. In their conversation, the Duchess explains how historically a family like the Manners would have made their money, the Duchess reveals to Emma when she plans to retire, and we finally learn who has more staff – Belvoir or the Beckhams!
Top Quotes:
“I think of you [The Duchess of Rutland] as the artistic director of Belvoir. You have so many ideas, such great clarity of vision. I’ve worked with so many great artists and you’re another one.” – Emma Stenning
“This is a theatre. Life’s a stage and I’m just playing the game. I will always be miss Emma Watkins – that Welsh farmer’s daughter.” – Duchess of Rutland
About Belvoir Castle:
Belvoir Castle is a 16,000-acre estate in Leicestershire, it’s history dates back to the 11th century in 1067. Crowning a hill, the Castle’s turrets and towers rise over the Vale of Belvoir, designed by the legendary landscape architect Capability Brown. The Belvoir Estate has been passed down through 36 successive generations of the Manners family, and an unbroken line of Dukes of Rutland for nearly 1000 years. James Wyatt, the renowned architect of Windsor Castle, designed the remodelled the Castle between 1801-1832 for the 5th Duke and Duchess of Rutland. Today, Belvoir Castle is one of the finest examples of Regency architecture in Britain and a modern working estate. In addition, the gardens have undergone several major changes over the centuries – the latest being a two-year restoration programme by the present Duchess to bring the lost plans of Capability Brown to fruition in 2016.
About the Host:
Emma, Duchess of Rutland, grew up far away from the world of the aristocracy. Born Emma Watkins, the Duchess grew up the daughter of a Quaker farmer, in the Welsh countryside. She trained as an opera singer in the Guildhall School of Music, and worked as a successful interior designer before meeting her future husband David Manners, the 11th Duke of Rutland, at a dinner party. Their marriage in 1992 thrust Emma into a new world, which included the responsibility of preserving one of the nation’s greatest stately homes: Belvoir Castle. While simultaneously running the day to day operations of the castle, and raising five children, the Duchess became fascinated with the history and importance of the other stately homes of the UK. Join Emma as she embarks on a wonderful journey through time, to learn more about the incredible homes that have defined Great Britain and, most importantly, meet the other extraordinary women who work tirelessly in the background, to preserve their homes history and magic for future generations.
Resources:
https://www.belvoircastle.com/
https://www.emmaduchessrutland.com/
https://www.belvoircastle.com/cinderella-at-belvoir/
This podcast was sponsored by BetterHelp. To Learn more and save 10% off your first month visit BetterHelp.com/duchess
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