Emma Weymouth: Britain's first Black marchioness shakes up aristocracy

Emma Thynn, currently known as Emma Weymouth or Lady Weymouth, is a prominent member of the British nobility. She's also the first woman of color to become a marchioness in Britain and has no qualms about shaking up the conservative British aristocracy. This is her story.

She's a model, TV star, chef, and a marchioness. Her father is a Nigerian oil billionaire, so she's no newcomer to luxury. What is a marchioness? The wife or widow of a marquess.

Before being Marchioness of Bath, Emma Weymouth was Deputy Countess of Weymouth, as her husband, Ceawlin Thynn, was Viscount of Weymouth. When the seventh Marquis of Bath and Emma's father-in-law, Alexander Thynn, died of Covid-19 in April 2020, Ceawlin Thynn inherited his title.

Daughter of a Nigerian oil magnate, Emma Weymouth married Ceawlin Thynn in 2013. Since the beginning of their relationship, many have spoken out against the union. Even her own father-in-law, the late Marquis of Bath, tried unsuccessfully to boycott the union. The reason would be related to prejudice: they did not want a woman of African origin in the British nobility.

Image: emmaweymouth / Instagram

"It's a problem when someone makes you feel different just because of your colour," Weymouth told 'Tatler' in 2013. "Actually, no one has ever said anything to me directly, but it's something you just notice," she said speaking of subtle racism and classism.

The life of media exposure led by Emma Weymouth shocked her husband's traditional family. According to The Sunday Times, Emma's mother-in-law criticized the couple after they announced their engagement. Anna Thynn, a former Hungarian-British empress and war correspondent, told her son: "Are you sure about what you're doing to 400 years of bloodline?"

Image: emmaweymouth / Instagram

These words caused Emma's husband to break all ties with his mother. He denied her entry to the wedding ceremony and forbade her to see any member of his family; neither wife nor children. "I don't want them to get contaminated in this kind of atmosphere or with these ideas," Ceawlin Thynn said in an interview with 'The Sunday Times.'

Racist comments against Emma Weymouth have been compared with those against Meghan Markle. Prince Harry's wife did not win the approval of all journalists and members of the public during her residence in the British royal palace.

Criticized and applauded in almost equal proportions, Lady Weymouth has become a popular name in the UK. For one, the aristocrat walked the runway for Dolce & Gabbana at Harrod's luxury shop.

She also showed off her talent as a dancer on the BBC show 'Strictly Come Dancing,' Lady Weymouth shared the stage with Slovenian dancer Aljaz Skorjanec and was eliminated from the talent show in the seventh week.

But she was given a second opportunity in 'Strictly' when she was invited to the celebrity special called 'Pointless'. There she participated alongside Lauren Steadman, but the pair were the first couple eliminated from the contest.

Emma Weymouth is not only a model but also an ambassador for a well-known Italian clothing brand, Fiorucci. Her designs usually form part of her looks, which she displays at various parties. In addition, she advertises the brand on social media.

Her fashion interest was so big that in 2018, the marchioness became a collaborating fashion editor at British Vogue magazine.

Lady Weymouth wears clothes of all kinds and for all tastes. She is not the type for modest and conventional looks. Instead, she bets high on risky fashion.

Lady Weymouth is also the chef in a family business. A few years ago, she founded Emma's Kitchen, which recovers traditional recipes used in the Longleat House castle. This was the home of the Marquis and Marchioness of Bath.

The 'Marquise 2.0' as some media dubbed her, brings fresh air to the British aristocracy. Not only through her heritage and businesses, but also through her private life choices.

In December 2016, Lady Emma and her husband became the parents of a boy, Lord Henry, born in Los Angeles to a surrogate mother. And what's really interesting is that she spoke openly about it.

Image: emmaweymouth / Instagram

Emma Weymouth could not have any more children herself, because she had been diagnosed with hypophysis or inflammation of the pituitary gland. As a consequence, she faced a complicated first delivery. This is why she and her husband made the difficult decision of having a second child through a surrogate mother.

"Relying on a surrogate mother was something that made me feel guilty and confused," the Marchioness told Vogue magazine in a virtual event called '5 Days of Vogue Wellness'. "However, being able to share this experience with other women who, for different reasons, went through the same thing, helped me to make the decision."

The Marquise added that the arrival of her second son, Henry, was one of the most beautiful experiences of her life: "it was something incredible."

Besides being a mother, model, and entrepreneur, Emma Weymouth is a renowned British philanthropist. She participates in (and organizes) various charitable events and is a financial partner of the Women's Institute.

Her circle of friends brings together models, actresses, and members of the British aristocracy. It is common to see her in fashion shows and political events with well-known characters like the ones we see in the picture: the model  Naomi Campbell, the singer Rod Stewart, the Chief of British Vogue Edward Enninful, and model and presenter Penny Lancaster.