Emma Manners, the Duchess of Rutland, has recently embarked on a new venture by launching her Substack newsletter titled “The Accidental Duchess.” The news comes just weeks after her daughter, Lady Violet Manners hosted one of the most extravagant weddings on record. The event was a bittersweet but joyful reunion for the family.
The Substack takes its name from the Duchess’s memoir released in 2022. Through her newsletter, Emma Manners hopes to convey her love of the written word, which she calls ‘cathartic’. She’s already said this platform will allow her to share her personal experiences. It will be a source of impressions and reflections on her life within that rarified world of the British aristocracy.
The very first post on Substack goes live today at 5:30 PM — and I would be so delighted if you joined me on this new journey, the Duchess announced.
Emma Manners, Duchess of Rutland, who lives at Belvoir Castle with her five children, a castle she moved into after marrying David Manners, the 11th duke. The gritty and hopeful film Emma & Jude follows the couple as they marry when Emma is only 27. David and his new bride began their married life in bitterness and hardship. Soon after their marriage, David’s father died leaving them to administer the estate while learning the duties of newlyweds.
Emma and David separated in 2012 citing personal reasons, including David’s unwillingness to dance at his 50th birthday party. Though their marriage ended, the two are still close for their kids and to protect the future of Belvoir Castle. They still meet every Sunday for family lunches, which has been a great example of their ability to co-parent well.
Emma attributes the idea for her Substack to Lady Violet, stating, “It is thanks to Vi, my oldest daughter, that I have any idea what a Substack is.” The Duchess spoke of her excitement at being able to share her experiences and insights with a broader audience.
On her Substack she plans to share with readers behind-the-scenes views of life as an ‘accidental Duchess’. Duchess By the ways of the accidental Duchess, [the Substack] is going to be all kinds of unexpected and things you’ll never hear other people talk about. Behind-the-scenes stories, the landscape of the reality of running heritage in the 21st century,” she described.
Emma Manners’s journey from a Welsh farmer’s daughter to a member of the aristocracy is one she hopes to share with her subscribers. Her prose beautifully brings to life her remarkable journey as an activist. Importantly, it provides insight into the exciting challenges and realities that today’s caretakers of heritage estates must navigate.
