Just recently, a wedding took place in Britain that united two of the country’s oldest aristocratic families. The eldest of the five children of the 11th Duke of Rutland, Lady Violet Manners, got married. Her groom is Viscount Garnock, William James Lindsay-Bethune. The wedding ceremony was held at the magnificent Belvoir Castle, the ancestral home of the Dukes of Rutland, whose towers and gardens provided a stunning backdrop for the day.

The bride walked down the aisle in a custom-made gown by Phillipa Lepley, featuring puffed sleeves and a delicate sheer panel, complemented by a long veil. The highlight was the Rutland diamond tiara – a family heirloom dating back to the 18th century. The last family member to wear it was Lady Teresa Manners at her wedding in 1997.

The groom, of Scottish heritage, wore a kilt in the Lindsay family tartan.

The bridesmaids were dressed in pale pink satin gowns.

It is worth noting that 31-year-old Violet is one of Britain’s three «society sisters», as described by Tatler magazine. In Britain, they are like the Kardashians – only wittier, better dressed, and with a grand castle.

Garnock, 34, is the son of the 16th Earl of Lindsay, and is also known as Viscount Garnock. As for their careers, Lady Violet founded HeritageXplore – a digital platform that improves access to Britain’s independent historic homes. Lord Garnock, after graduating from the University of Alabama in 2014, worked in the U.S. beverage industry for several years before returning to his ancestral home, Lahill House in Fife, where he launched the non-alcoholic botanical drinks brand Feragaia.

The union of Lady Violet and Viscount Garnock is not just a beautiful love story, but also a historic merging of two ancient families – both of which trace royal bloodlines and ties to figures such as King Charles III, the Duke of Bedford, and the Duke of Grafton.

Photo: Instagram @ elizamanners, @mannersalice