Tatler’s most eligible bachelor Charles Manners who will inherit The Crown’s Belvoir Castle turns 21

The Duchess of Rutland has paid tribute to her eldest son, the Marquess of Granby, as he celebrates his 21st birthday. 

Charles Manners, once dubbed one of the ‘world’s most eligible bachelors’ by Tatler magazine, is thought to be spending the day at the family seat of Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire, which is famous as a filming location for Netflix’s The Crown. 

His older sisters, Lady Violet, Lady Alice and Lady Eliza, all joined their mother in  sharing their well-wishes to the birthday boy on Instagram, alongside a selection of their favourite family photos.

Due to the practice of male primogeniture – an ancient custom in which titles and land are passed down to the eldest son, rather than the eldest child – Charles will one day inherit the Grade II-listed Belvoir over his sisters, who are aged 26, 25 and 22. 

Charles Manners, once dubbed one of the ‘world’s most eligible bachelors’ by Tatler magazine, is celebrating his 21st birthday today. Pictured, with sister Lady Violet Manners, 26

Charles's older sisters, Lady Violet, Lady Alice and Lady Eliza, all joined their mother in sharing their well-wishes to the birthday boy on Instagram. Pictured, Charles

Charles with his sister Lady Alice Manners in a photo shared in December

Charles’s older sisters, Lady Violet, Lady Alice and Lady Eliza, all joined their mother in sharing their well-wishes to the birthday boy on Instagram. Pictured, Charles and with Lady Alice 

The Duchess of Rutland has paid tribute to her eldest son, the Marquess of Granby, as he celebrates his 21st birthday. She shared this heartfelt caption on Instagram today

The Duchess of Rutland has paid tribute to her eldest son, the Marquess of Granby, as he celebrates his 21st birthday. She shared this heartfelt caption on Instagram today

What is primogeniture?

Primogeniture is preference in inheritance that is given by law, custom, or usage to the eldest son and his issue. 

In exceptional cases, primogeniture may prescribe such preferential inheritance to the line of the eldest daughter. 

The motivation for such a practice has usually been to keep the estate of the deceased, or some part of it, whole and intact.   

The Royal Family brought to an end the system of primogeniture that had dictated the line of succession since 1701. 

Under the Succession to the Crown Act 2013, princes no longer take precedence over their sisters. 

It means Princess Charlotte, four, is ahead of her brother Prince Louis, one, in the line of succession.  

Charles, who studied business management at Newcastle University, has been helping his mother keep Belvoir running after it was forced to close to visitors during lockdown.

Speaking to Town & Country, the Duchess revealed the family was taking an ‘all hands on deck’ approach in order to keep the estate afloat.

‘We have a Whatsapp group going, it’s called the Corona Clan and in the mornings I share a to-do list,’ said Emma, 56, who lives on the estate with her ex-husband David Manners, the 11th Duke of Rutland, whom she divorced in 2012.

‘I don’t have staff anymore but I do have kids so I tell them where they need to be and what they need to be doing. I feel a little like the Sergeant Major.’ 

Charles is thought to be spending the day at the family seat of Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire, pictured. As the eldest son, he will one day inherit the grade II-listed home from his father

Charles is thought to be spending the day at the family seat of Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire, pictured. As the eldest son, he will one day inherit the grade II-listed home from his father

Belvoir is famous as a filming location. Pictured, Matt Smith and Claire Foy filming season two of The Crown in one of the opulent rooms at Belvoir Castle, which stood in for Windsor Castle

Belvoir is famous as a filming location. Pictured, Matt Smith and Claire Foy filming season two of The Crown in one of the opulent rooms at Belvoir Castle, which stood in for Windsor Castle 

Alice Manners chose to share these photos of birthday boy Charles to mark his milestone

Lady Alice with her brother Charles in a photo shared on Instagram

Alice Manners chose to share these photos of birthday boy Charles to mark his milestone

Lady Eliza Manners, 22, shared this adorable photo of her and Charles as young chilren

Lady Eliza Manners, 22, shared this adorable photo of her and Charles as young chilren

She revealed Charles is ‘driving tractors’ and cutting the maize. Photos shared on the Duchess’s Instagram account also show Charles and his younger brother Hugo, 16, working at an on-site restaurant serving takeaway pizza.

Away from chores, the Manners family have been whiling away the hours with singalongs, morning strolls and horse rides through the 15,000-acre estate.  

Photos shared on social media show Lady Violet having an impromptu photoshoot in the glorious spring sunshine and Lady Eliza, a talented singer, keeping the family entertained with solo performances of the White Cliffs Of Dover and Lean On Me.

Lady Violet Manners shared a selection of photos to mark the milestone birthday, including this one

Lady Violet Manners shared a selection of photos to mark the milestone birthday, including this one 

The proud big sister posted this throwback snap of her with Charles in childhood

The proud big sister posted this throwback snap of her with Charles in childhood

Lady Violet also shared this touching Instagram post paying tribute to her brother

Lady Violet also shared this touching Instagram post paying tribute to her brother

Weeks in isolation has even been enough to lure the usually social media-shy Duke onto an Instagram feed. He has delighted followers by leading tours of parts of Belvoir Castle on the estate’s official account.

The locations popping up on Instagram might look familiar to TV fans as Belvoir Castle has been featured in several shows, including The Crown and the 2009 fim Young Victoria.

The cast and crew spent over a month filming at the Leicestershire castle – with key scenes featuring both inside and out.

Previous series saw many of the Castle’s most opulent rooms feature – including both the Elizabeth Saloon and the Regent’s Gallery.

The theme of the castle is classic opulence dating back to the 1700s when it was first restored, with the bedrooms boasting four poster beds, gold gilded portraits, rich tapestries, fur rugs and fireplaces.

Photos shared on the Duchess's Instagram account also show Charles and his younger brother Hugo, 16, working at an on-site restaurant serving takeaway pizza.

Photos shared on the Duchess’s Instagram account also show Charles and his younger brother Hugo, 16, working at an on-site restaurant serving takeaway pizza.

Charles (right) with his brother Hugo (left) on a day out to the races. The photo was shared on Instagram

Charles (right) with his brother Hugo (left) on a day out to the races. The photo was shared on Instagram

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