Lady Violet Manners, 29, is set to be passed over for her younger brother, Charles Manners, Marquess of Granby, 23, in inheriting their father’s title.
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The Duke and Duchess of Rutland’s eldest daughter won’t be the only blue-blooded woman sidelined by the archaic rule of male primogeniture.
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The Duke of Northumberland’s title will similarly bypass his 40-year-old daughter, Lady Katie, in favor of her younger brother, George Percy, Earl Percy, 38.
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/meghan-harry-photoshop_2.jpg)
This age-old tradition of male succession has sparked a European-wide campaign known as Daughters’ Rights, pushing for gender equality in aristocratic inheritance.
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Among the campaign’s prominent supporters is Catherine FitzGerald, the wife of actor Dominic West, who stands to inherit her father Desmond’s title, Knight of Glin.
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The movement is gaining traction, attracting both aristocrats and political figures.
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Former Prime Minister David Cameron once declared that the idea of a younger son outranking an elder daughter for the throne is no longer acceptable.
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Boris Johnson, another former Prime Minister, reportedly initiated a review of male primogeniture to promote gender equality in Parliament.
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However, not everyone is ready to abandon tradition. Earl Spencer, 58, insists on passing his title to his son Louis, bypassing his eldest daughter, Kitty.
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“If I chose Kitty, it would be against all the tradition that goes with Althorp,” he remarked in 2015, defending the principle of primogeniture.
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“I get the problems with it as a concept. But it has kept the estate intact.”
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Earl Spencer’s stance is also practical. He has seven children from three marriages, and dividing the estate could become complex.
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Despite this, Louis shares a close bond with his sisters, evidenced when he walked Kitty down the aisle at her wedding.
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The Spencer siblings enjoyed a privileged yet private upbringing in Cape Town, where their parents moved in 1995 to shield them from public scrutiny.
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Their parents divorced in December 1997, shortly after Princess Diana’s tragic death, and Charles Spencer returned to the UK.
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Louis remained largely out of the spotlight during his youth, with few public appearances.
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His first high-profile outing was at Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding in April 2011, though he was overshadowed by his glamorous older sisters.
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Four years later, Louis made a surprising appearance on Nicki Minaj’s Instagram, arm-in-arm with the rapper, who joked about their “wedding photo.”
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Louis truly stepped into the limelight at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding in 2018, attending with his mother and sisters.
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Looking dapper in a morning suit, he became an unexpected star of the day, earning numerous playful marriage proposals online.
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His resemblance to Prince Harry led to the nickname “Harry Lite,” and Tatler named him one of the world’s most eligible bachelors.
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Louis’s family connections and good looks might benefit him as he pursues his acting dreams.
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot_6-10.jpg)
In 2019, Earl Spencer shared that Louis was living in London, attending drama school, and working hard to achieve his acting ambitions.
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The question remains how Louis will balance his potential acting career with the responsibility of managing Althorp when the time comes.
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Lady Violet Manners and other women in similar positions are fighting for their rightful inheritance, but societal and familial traditions remain significant obstacles.
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Lady Violet, educated at the prestigious Queen Margaret’s School, continues to make strides in her career as a model and fashion ambassador.
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Her younger brother Charles, already being groomed for his future role, is seen by some as an embodiment of the ongoing gender inequality.
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/things-you-might-not-know-about-the-british-royal-family_16.jpg)
The Daughters’ Rights campaign highlights the growing discontent among aristocratic women over these outdated succession laws.
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With Catherine FitzGerald among its high-profile advocates, the movement is gaining momentum across Europe.
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Catherine, a landscape designer, has a vested interest in securing her father’s title, seeking justice for women like herself.
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/GettyImages-1243058889.jpg)
Political backing, such as Cameron’s and Johnson’s previous comments, suggests that change could be on the horizon.
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Yet, traditionalists like Earl Spencer show that resistance to change is still strong.
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/GettyImages-1779015016-scaled.jpeg)
The debate around male primogeniture isn’t just about titles but about the broader fight for gender equality.
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This issue has stirred significant media attention, with supporters and critics voicing their opinions.
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Earl Spencer’s adherence to tradition, despite modern societal shifts, underscores the complexity of changing deeply ingrained practices.
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His decision to keep Althorp intact through primogeniture reflects the balancing act between heritage and modern values.
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The personal stories of Louis Spencer and Lady Violet Manners highlight the human element behind the titles and estates.
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Louis, balancing his dreams and future responsibilities, symbolizes the intersection of tradition and contemporary aspirations.
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/GettyImages-1324680613.jpg)
Lady Violet, striving for recognition and equality, embodies the spirit of modern aristocratic women challenging the status quo.
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The future of these noble families remains uncertain as they navigate these societal changes.
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The push for gender equality in inheritance laws represents a broader cultural shift.
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Lady Violet and her supporters continue to fight for their rights, determined to bring about change.
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As the Daughters’ Rights campaign gains traction, the question remains whether these ancient traditions will evolve.
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With prominent figures and public opinion increasingly supporting equality, the pressure on traditionalists mounts.
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Only time will tell if the aristocracy can adapt to the modern era, embracing fairness and equality in inheritance practices.