David Manners, 11th Duke of Rutland


David Charles Robert Manners, 11th Duke of Rutland, is a British peer and landowner.

Biography

Rutland is the elder son of the 10th Duke of Rutland by his second wife, the former Frances Sweeney. He was educated at Stanbridge Earls School, near Romsey in Hampshire, which has since closed. He succeeded his father in the titles on 4 January 1999.
The family also includes the duke's mother, The Dowager Duchess, his younger brother, Lord Edward Manners, a half-sister, Lady Charlotte Manners, and a sister, Lady Teresa Manners.
Rutland's ancestral home is Belvoir Castle in the northern part of Leicestershire. In the summer of 2005, the Duke purchased the Manners Arms Country Hotel and Restaurant in Knipton near Grantham. The Manners Arms was built for the 6th Duke of Rutland as a hunting lodge during the 1880s. The Duchess was heavily involved with the renovation work they carried out on the property. The Duke's holdings also include Haddon Hall, which is occupied by his brother Edward and Edward's family. The Sunday Times Rich List 2013 estimated his personal fortune at £125m, but he had to sell a painting to keep Belvoir Castle maintained.
The Duke is a high-profile supporter of the UK Independence Party and has hosted fundraising events at Belvoir Castle. In 1999, he stood for UKIP when the House of Lords had to elect 92 hereditary peers. He stood in a House of Lords by-election in 2005 and again in 2015.
In July 2018, the Duke came under scrutiny for advertising positions for actors to perform unpaid at Belvoir Castle. Performers' union Equity criticised the advertisement, saying it was "unacceptable" to ask actors to work unpaid; the advertisement was later removed.

Marriage and children

Rutland married Emma Watkins, daughter of a Welsh farmer from Knighton, Powys, on 6 June 1992 at Belvoir Castle. The couple have five children:
The Duchess runs the commercial activities of Belvoir Castle, including shooting parties, weddings and a range of furniture.

Titles and styles