Our Story
Duchess the Podcast is the brainchild of two extraordinary women. The dynamic duo that is Emma, Duchess of Rutland and her daughter, Lady Violet created Duchess to share the stories of Britain’s historic homes and the people who dedicate their lives to preserving & sharing them. Duchess now welcomes the brilliant contributions of more custodians, who share with us the story of their heritage
About Violet
Lady Violet Manners is a strategic and creative consultant who, in addition to being the Executive Producer and Director of Duchess, runs her own business Akana.
Violet’s passion for British Heritage was brought into sharp focus whilst studying at UCLA in Los Angeles in 2019. Despite growing up in one of Britain’s most cherished stately homes, Belvoir Castle, Violet’s time in America taught her that the power of British Heritage stretched far beyond the Islands of the United Kingdom.
Having seen her mother, The Duchess of Rutland, devote her life to Belvoir Castle, its properties and its people, Violet sought to bring her marketing and creative insight into play by creating Duchess. The podcast had a simple aim: to break the mould and allow listeners to learn about the history of historic houses through the women who are at the heart of them. By doing so, Duchess has broadened international understanding of what it takes to run a modern-day stately home, and highlighted the role that women have and continue to play in running them.
Violet is currently working to expand the podcast into something more: organising once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to visit, meet and stay at some of the homes featured on Duchess, working alongside the podcast’s exclusive travel partner Abercrombie and Kent.
About Emma
Emma Manners became the 11th Duchess of Rutland in 2001, and has since led Belvoir Castle and its estate. With decades of experience under her belt, Her Grace’s podcast seeks to recognise other women who lead stately homes today. Sharing the stories of a modern chatelaine and shedding light on what it takes to keep a stately home going in the 21st century.
Juggling running a 10,000 acre estate & castle with raising a young family, the day-to-day reality of living in a stately home is not what it might appear on the outside, and Emma brings this deeply personal experience to the podcast.
Alongside her interviewees she discusses the fascinating histories of some of Britain's most notorious & powerful dynasties and the role that stately homes continue to play in their local communities. Marrying insightful and funny family anecdotes, with the stories of the remarkable women who’ve shaped Britain's stately homes, Duchess brings it’s listeners a modern look at the 21st century chatelaine.