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.

Today, the Duchess runs the commercial activities of Belvoir Castle, including shooting parties, weddings and a range of furniture.[2] She has presented on various television programmes, including ITV's Castles, Keeps and Country Homes, and has produced a book about Belvoir Castle.

She married David Manners, 11th Duke of Rutland, in 1992. 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 of the 10th Duke in 2001, they moved into newly renovated private apartments, which had formerly been the nanny's residence. The couple have a staff of one butler and a nanny.