DUCHESS of RUTLAND

November 18, 2013 29 Comments

Did you know there are only 25 Duchesses in the world today?

I learned that recently by attending a lecture from a real Duchess herself!She was an absolute delight and has a new book out on her families home!BELVOIR CASTLE.Pronounced beaver for your info!

This castle has been in her husbands family for 1000 years!Given to one of their ancestors by WILLIAM THE CONQUER.

The above photo is her daughter who accompanied her to San Francisco to visit a Business school college.Both ladies were an absolute delight!I found out that one can stay at the castle. I will put that bee in my bonnet and try to make that happen.

The family has to come up with ideas to pay all the taxes and costs of running a home like this.They had to sell a few paintings from the castle to pay the death tax on her Father In Law.The paintings now reside in TEXAS!My heart goes out to them can you imagine having that kind of responsibility to maintain a family home!!!

Please visit BELVOIR CASTLE on your next trip to ENGLAND and please do make a purchase from the gift shop!There is a room called the ELIZABETH SALON which is high on my list to see!

Do you think the ITALIAN HUSBAND will let me prance off to England soon?I doubt it.I am definitely homebound for awhile, but one must keep dreaming.

TO LEAVE A COMMENT CLICK ON THE TITLE OF THE POST………DUCHESS OF RUTLAND…..HEN HOUSE .THAT WILL TAKE YOU TO THE SITE.CLICK ON THE TITLE AGAIN then scroll down to comment box.Tricky I know!

29 Comments

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Sandra Sallin
· Reply

February 9, 2015 at 4:07 PM

Belvoir Castle? Beaver? Thank goodness you gave me the correct prouncition. I wouldn’t want to make a faux pas in front of any Duchess or Duke.
HRH The Duchess of State
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November 21, 2013 at 6:01 AM

Obvio, you look so stylish dahhling… Just ahhdore! Only 25 Duchess in the world you say? hmmmm…..
- contessa
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  November 21, 2013 at 7:51 PM
  
  You make TWENTY~SIX!!!
Loree
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November 20, 2013 at 2:09 PM

If you are in love with both Italy and England, then I have found a kindred spirit. Looks like I will be visiting very often. Thanks for the tip about Belvoir Castle. Maybe I will get to stay there one day. It would be a dream come true.
- La Contessa
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  November 22, 2013 at 7:29 AM
  
  Yes, Loree I do believe we are soul mates!
LittleContessa
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November 19, 2013 at 3:50 PM

Contessa, I just came back from England! I had just a few days in London, and tons of friends to catch up with, but I’d have definitely tried to find the time to get there! Sounds like the most amazing place ever. I am so excited! Well, that means that I’ll have to go back soon… I’ll never thank low cost flight enough for making it easy 🙂
- contessa
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  November 19, 2013 at 5:22 PM
  
  How divine for you!I don’t suppose you had a sighting of little GEORGE??
  They seem to be keeping him tucked away which is a good thing!
contessa
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November 19, 2013 at 1:18 PM

Me too…….CHATSWORTH.In fact,the Duchess from Chatsworth helped the Duchess from Rutland with ideas on how to create money to keep the castle thriving!She mentioned that in her speech.
Sunday Taylor
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November 19, 2013 at 12:51 PM

Sounds like Downton Abbey, which I have been rewatching (second season)! I love visiting homes of writers and royals. I have been dreaming of visiting Chatsworth on my next trip to England. I will now add this to my list!
Jody Brettkelly
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November 19, 2013 at 12:22 PM

How very very cool. She and her daughter are beautiful! You need to read the books of Jilly Cooper now, not about the royal Rutlands but pretend ones, but very fun saucy country horsey reads set in Gloucestershire You also need to stay at that castle.
- contessa
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  November 19, 2013 at 1:14 PM
  
  ON IT!
Missy
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November 19, 2013 at 9:09 AM

Sister and I want to come with you to the castle! Really! Shaun and I will go definitely someday! Beautiful post Elizabeth!!!! Thank you!
- contessa
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  November 19, 2013 at 10:28 AM
  
  As they say in ITALIA………..ANDIAMO!
Heather in Arles
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November 19, 2013 at 7:42 AM

This sounds like a fabulous day and you my dear look positively ROYAL in your finery. Love it all!!!!
Gros Bisous,
H
- contessa
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  November 19, 2013 at 8:31 AM
  
  XOXOXO
Penelope Bianchi
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November 19, 2013 at 1:04 AM

How on earth do you make “COQ AU VIN????

LORD HAVE MERCY! YOU ARE A WONDERWOMAN! WHO NEEDS A CAPE???

XXOO

now about those necklaces…….I am copying!!
- Heather in Arles
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  November 19, 2013 at 7:43 AM
  
  Penny, coq au vin is a LOT of work. I tell you, she really is wonderwoman!
  - Penelope Bianchi
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    November 21, 2013 at 9:45 PM
    
    She is! I know one when I see one!
    
    And it is magnificent to watch !!
    
    LOVE LOVE LOVE at Thanksgiving!
    
    Everyone loves your blog; your dogs…..and your photographer!
    
    and we all believe you will find the perfect PLACE!!!
- contessa
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  November 19, 2013 at 8:30 AM
  
  It truly was easy………the recipe I followed was by that other CONTESSA on the east coast!The BAREFOOT one.The meal was DELICIOUS!The beauty is there is enough for another night or two!!
La Contessa
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November 18, 2013 at 9:00 PM

I too wish I could have dined with you in your Conservatory!Instead I was making COQ au VIN in my kitchen for tonights dinner!I want to hear the details…….on becoming the DUCHESS of HAMBRICK!Is that the name of your home?Do tell………..
tara dillard
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November 18, 2013 at 7:18 PM

Became the Duchess of Hambrick 2 years ago. A very rich tale. Could have chosen Queen but who wants the responsibilities? Had no idea I chose to be in a tiny group.

Hate to admit, I needed the coaching on leaving a comment, thank you for that.

Wish you had been here for lunch today in the Conservatory. One of those gorgeous days to remember for a lifetime. At least for those of us without our chickens in Paris.

Garden & Be Well, XO Tara
- Penelope Bianchi
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  November 19, 2013 at 1:02 AM
  
  Oh, Tara! You are just too delightful for words!!
  
  Isn’t she?? YES!!
  
  Too delightful for words!!
  
  I need help with pots..want to hire you to email rearranging! Now what??? I want to HIRE and PAY!!
  
  Penelope
- Penelope Bianchi
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  November 21, 2013 at 9:51 PM
  
  HI!! THE ONLY wrong thing is those were not “La Contessa’s” OWN chickens! They loved her (as we can see!! They were lovely tame chickens….who knew a “chicken person” when they see one!!”
  
  (We have chickens…they know the different dogs……(they look quite alike)!! They see the one……and they squawk and fly up in the trees! (he is the god-dog and I keep him on a leash after he killed one!)
  
  Chickens are very smart…..(if they are not the “factory farm” variety!
  
  I guess it was right…..after all..those tame chickens recognized “LaContessa” as a “chicken person”!
  
  (I have had them for 20 years……..I am one too!!”
  
  It is all brilliant beyond!!!
Linda T
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November 18, 2013 at 1:48 PM

I thought you were going to say “my heart goes out” to the paintings for having been sent to Texas!
- contessa
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  November 18, 2013 at 4:42 PM
  
  NO,no,no……..you know me better then that!Devastated they had to leave their home and the country for that matter!Just does not seem fair for the family and the gems that were bought and paid for or gifted way back when to be sold off………BUT they have to do it to keep afloat.WE MUST HELP OUT and visit the castles and buy the things they sell!!!!WE MUST………when should we go???
Jennife
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November 18, 2013 at 1:43 PM

You two look lovely together!
- contessa
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  November 18, 2013 at 4:37 PM
  
  Why thank ~ You and welcome to the real site!
Deborah Peterson Milne
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November 18, 2013 at 9:56 AM

What a fun book signing to attend. It is not everyday that one gets to meet a Duchess. I spoke to a ‘Lord’ last week on the phone & that alone made me nervous.

I will remember to make Belvoir a castle to visit. Thanks for the tip.
- contessa
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  November 18, 2013 at 4:36 PM
  
  Deborah, you are close enough to skip on over too!If you do go please take a few photos and send to me!I would adore that!
  Did he answer the phone LORD such and such or were you privy to that before the call?That would make me nervous too but I have to say the DUCHESS and her gorgeous daughter were lovely real people.I had no problem saying I’m coming for a visit!!!!