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What Does It Mean To Be A British Duchess Today? | The Last Dukes | Real Royalty

Real Royalty・44 minutes read

The number of non-royal dukes has declined to 24 in the 21st century, owning vast acreage like Blenheim Palace, while facing questions about power and wealth. Dukes manage estates, uphold traditions, and navigate lineage complexities, with titles sometimes requiring a business-focused approach to maintain operations.

Insights

  • The decline in the number of non-royal dukes to 24 reflects a shift in societal perceptions regarding their wealth and power in the 21st century, raising questions about the relevance of their traditional roles and responsibilities, particularly in managing vast estates like Blenheim Palace.
  • The intricate family histories and lineage tracing back centuries play a pivotal role in determining successors to dukedoms, highlighting the importance of heritage and tradition in upholding these noble titles, even as the responsibilities associated with them evolve over time.

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Recent questions

  • How many non-royal dukes exist?

    24

  • What is the significance of Blenheim Palace?

    Business management and revenue generation

  • How does lineage impact dukedom succession?

    Family history determines successors

  • What are the challenges faced by duchesses?

    Managing estates and public perceptions

  • How do dukes adapt to changing times?

    Embracing business management and modernization

Related videos

Summary

00:00

"Non-royal Dukes: Power, Wealth, and Tradition"

  • At Queen Elizabeth's Coronation in 1953, non-royal dukes were entitled to wear their coronets.
  • Dukedoms are created by monarchs for various reasons, passing down through generations.
  • Lady Rosemary Spencer-Churchill holds multiple titles, including Duchess of Rutland.
  • The number of non-royal dukes has decreased to 24, with their power and wealth questioned in the 21st century.
  • Dukedoms own over one million acres of Britain, with Blenheim Palace being a notable example.
  • Lady Rosemary's family lived a grand life at Belvoir Castle, with numerous servants and unique traditions.
  • Lady Rosemary served as a maid of honor to the Queen due to her noble lineage.
  • Blair Castle in Scotland showcases a ducal estate with a private army, the Atholl Highlanders.
  • Family history is crucial in determining successors to dukedoms, with intricate lineage tracing back centuries.
  • Bruce Murray and his wife became the Duke and Duchess of Atholl, overseeing the Atholl Highlanders and their ancestral estate.

14:54

"Speaker Embraces Business Over Ceremonial Duties"

  • The title of duchess only goes through the male line, which is a relief for the speaker.
  • The speaker prefers focusing on the business side of things rather than the ceremonial aspects of being a duchess.
  • Managing the enterprise associated with the title is more appealing than living in a castle for the speaker.
  • The speaker feels fortunate to have a massive enterprise supporting their role as a duke.
  • The speaker can identify some ancestors in a family tree depicted on a picture staircase.
  • The duke's sons are officers in the Atholl Highlanders, a real army where they could potentially go to war.
  • The speaker appreciates having both African and Scottish heritage, feeling it offers the best of both worlds.
  • The duke and his family partake in local rituals, with the heir and spare actively participating.
  • The duchess accompanies her husband in these rituals, showing respect to the duke.
  • The speaker reflects on the responsibilities and challenges of being a duke, feeling it cannot be taught.

28:45

"Royal Family's Intriguing Modern Lives"

  • Gillian prefers to be addressed as "Your Grace" due to her appreciation for formality, although she doesn't like being called by her Christian name, Gillian, especially by strangers.
  • When booking airplane tickets, Gillian and her husband are listed as Mr. and Mrs. St. Albans due to the airline's computer limitations, despite their actual titles.
  • Gillian's coronation robes are stored in the attic, which is off-limits due to safety concerns and clutter, including her husband's heavy robes.
  • The robes are adorned with lace from the 1600s and ermine shawls, with some parts showing signs of wear and tear.
  • Murray, Gillian's husband, is the hereditary Grand Falconer of England, a title that no longer holds any official significance but used to come with a salary and perks.
  • Murray, a chartered accountant, did not inherit vast wealth or a stately mansion from his ancestors, and he has worked for a living.
  • Charles Beauclerk, Murray's son and heir, is a teacher and historian who is more interested in the family's history than his father, particularly focusing on Bestwood Lodge.
  • Bestwood Lodge, once owned by the 10th Duke of St. Albans, is now a Best Western hotel where Charles and his girlfriend plan to stage plays and explore the family's history.
  • Emma Watkins, the Duchess of Rutland, manages Belvoir Castle with her husband, the Duke, living in separate towers to address their marital difficulties while running the estate.
  • Emma's role as the Duchess has changed perceptions of her, with the public viewing her as a figure of authority and privilege, despite the challenges she faces in managing the estate.

41:58

Belvoir Castle: History, Heritage, and Transformation

  • The Manners family, Norman-French, named their castle Belvoir due to pronunciation issues with "Beaver."
  • Architect Peter discusses corrosion on the roof, with lead dating back to 1883.
  • Re-leading the roof would cost around 100,000 pounds, utilizing a year's budget for just one section.
  • The duchess, after three daughters, felt pressure to have a son for inheritance purposes.
  • The castle is marketed for Asian weddings, with a Bollywood-inspired decor.
  • The daughters of the duke hold the courtesy title of Lady, with Lady Violet, Lady Alice, and Lady Eliza Manners.
  • The duchess reduced open visitor days to around 30 annually, focusing on high-income shooting parties.
  • The duchess transformed the estate by reducing staff and reordering priorities over 15 years.
  • The Duke of Montrose discusses his family's history, including involvement in Scottish battles and the Act of Union.
  • The duke lives in a more modest house, filled with family history, and discusses the future of dukedoms as their power diminishes.

55:49

Blenheim Palace: Business Model for Revenue Growth

  • Blenheim Palace is now managed as a business, providing more opportunities for revenue beyond traditional sources like farming or investments, with a professional team overseeing its operations.
  • The palace, currently owned by a trust and led by the 12th Duke of Marlborough, has a hierarchical structure where the duke resides in the palace, a board of trustees oversees operations, and a chief executive drives commercialization efforts to enhance the estate's offerings.
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