Hidden Heritage

Episode Description:  This week on Duchess, the Duchess of Rutland travels to the historic Sudeley Castle & Gardens to meet Lady Ashcombe. In the show, Lady Ashcombe speaks candidly about the impact of the tragic loss of her husband so early into her life custodian, the Duchess gets a background on the castle’s immense royal history, and Lady Ashcombe describes the tales of ghostly monarchs that a...

Episode Description:  In today’s episode, the Duchess journeys to Renishaw Hall & Gardens to meet Alexandra Sitwell. In the show, the ladies discuss why Renishaw became known as ‘the ancestral home of the English eccentric’, Alexandra introduces us to the iconic literary trio that lived at Renishaw, and we are taken on a tour of the unforgettable gardens that surround the home today.  Top Quotes:...

Episode Description:  In the first episode of Duchess season 2, the Duchess of Rutland travels to Deene Park in Northamptonshire to meet Charlotte Brudenell. In the show, Charlotte introduces the Duchess to the eccentric Earl that was immortalised by one of English poetry’s greatest works, the ladies discuss Deene Park’s incredible association to the Magna Carta, and Charlotte reveals the ‘saucy’...

Welcome back to Season 2 of Duchess! - the podcast where 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 significa...

Episode Description: On today’s episode, the Duchess meets the incredible Catherine Maxwell Stuart, the first Lady Laird of Traquair. Catherine and the Duchess speak at length about the royal history of Traquair, the tale behind the famous ‘closed gates’, we hear the stories of the other extraordinary women of Traquair, and Catherine educates the Duchess on the most important feature of a Scottish...

Episode Description: Joining The Duchess on this latest episode is the wonderful Martha Lytton-Cobbold of Knebworth House. Martha and the Duchess enjoy an incredible conversation, discussing Knebworth’s historic ties to writers like Edward Buwler Lytton and Charles Dickens, we hear the incredible story of one of the nation’s greatest suffragettes, Martha elaborates on the challenges and importance...

Episode Description: In this episode, Emma Rutland meets another Duchess: Caroline, Duchess of Fife. Emma Rutland learns about the estate’s rebellious history, the magnificent art collection in the castle, and the many groundbreaking conservation projects developed on the estate.  Have you ever watched Bridgerton, The Crown or Downton Abbey and wondered what it's really like to be a Duchess? If so...

Episode Description: In this episode, the Duchess meets the Duchess of Argyll, who invites us inside her fabulous home: the historic Inveraray Castle, situated on the banks of Loch Fyne in Scotland. We learn about the ghostly history the castle, and we hear the story of the iconic 20th century society beauty: Ethel Margaret Campbell. The Duchess of Argyll shares with us the fascinating history of...

Episode Description: In this episode of Duchess, our host meets Hollywood actress and Countess of Devon, A.J. Devon. Lady Devon opens up about her career in Hollywood, and explains the difficulty of transitioning to running a historic home. The Duchess learns about the amazing history of Powderham, and we hear how Lady Devon is transforming the estate into a community space for wellness, health, a...

Episode Description: In this episode, the Duchess talks to the Countess of Mansfield, of the historic Scone Palace in Scotland. Lady Mansfield and the Duchess enjoy a wonderful conversation, where we hear the moving story of one of Britain’s first black aristocrats. Listeners learn about the 'Stone of Destiny' and the role Scone played as the crowing site of Scottish King's, and Lady Mansfield exp...

Episode Description: On this episode of Duchess, our hosts travels to meet the lovely Countess of Derby of the beautiful Knowsley Hall. Lady Derby speaks to the Duchess about the impressive lineage of the Stanley family, and Lady Derby explains some of the challenges she encountered when first arriving on the steps of Knowsley Hall. Emma Rutland learns about Knowsley's astounding connection to Sha...

Episode Description: On the third episode of Duchess, our host sits down with Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill in the breathtaking Blenheim Palace. We hear the amazing story of how the Palace was built, and how one particular woman was fundamental to it’s construction. Emma Rutland hears about the Spencer-Churchill's distinguished lineage and Lady Henrietta’s memories of Sir Winston Churchill. We...

Episode Description: In this episode, the Duchess travels to meet Lady Ingilby of the amazing Ripley Castle. Lady Ingilby takes the Duchess on a journey through Ripley’s fascinating history, and explains the history behind priest holes. We hear more chilling ghost stories, and the ladies discuss the sometimes isolating exclusivity of the ‘stately wives club.’   Have you ever watched Bridgerton, Th...

EPISODE DESCRIPTION:  On this week’s episode, The Duchess meets Demetra Lindsay - custodian of the marvellous Hedingham Castle - Britain’s best preserved Norman keep. The Duchess learns about the history of Hedingham Castle, and hears a beautiful love story that challenged the social norms of it’s day, Demetra introduces us to some ghostly residents who continue to walk the halls of Hedingham, and...

As a young girl growing up in the idyllic Welsh countryside, Emma Rutland never could have imagined she would live a real life fairytale.  Born Emma Watkins, she met the 11th Duke of Rutland and fell in love. The couple married and Emma became the Duchess of Rutland. This transformation would thrust her into the world of the aristocracy - living in one of Britain's most important homes, Belvoir Ca...