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Emma Thynn, Marchioness of Bath

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The Most Honourable
The Marchioness of Bath
Personal details
Born
Emma Clare McQuiston

(1986-03-26) 26 March 1986 (age 39)
South Kensington, London, England
Spouse
​
​
(m. 2013)​
Children2
Parents
EducationUniversity College London
London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art
OccupationFashion model, socialite

Emma Clare Thynn, Marchioness of Bath (née McQuiston; born 26 March 1986), styled as Viscountess Weymouth from 2013 to 2020, is a British socialite and fashion model.[1] She is married to Ceawlin Thynn, 8th Marquess of Bath. In 2020, she became the first black marchioness in British history.[2]

Early life and education

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Thynn was born on 26 March 1986, in London, the daughter of a Nigerian father and an English mother.[3] Emma was raised in South Kensington.[4]

Her father, Chief Oladipo Jadesimi, is a Nigerian oil billionaire who is the executive chairman of Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Company and is a titleholder in the Nigerian chieftaincy system, while her mother, Suzanna McQuiston, is an English socialite.[5][6] As a result of an affair between her parents, her father did not live with the family, but she has reported having a positive relationship with him.[7]

She has several half-siblings, including Amy Jadesimi.[2][8]

She attended University College London to study art history.[9][10] After university, she studied classical acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.[11][9]

Career

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After her marriage, she became chatelaine of Longleat's estate and safari park.[12][13] There, she founded the food and lifestyle brand Emma's Kitchen.[12][14] She was featured alongside her husband in All Change at Longleat, a three-part documentary filmed in 2014 and broadcast on BBC One in September 2015.[15]

In 2017, she became a brand ambassador for Fiorucci.[16] She also modelled for Dolce & Gabbana, walking in runway shows at Harrods.[17]

In February 2018, Thynn began working as a fashion editor at British Vogue.[18][19] She is also contributing editor at HuffPost.[11][20]

She ran a business called Emma’s Kitchen, which sold baked goods and homewares and hosted recipe demonstrations at Longleat, specifically in the estate's Victorian basement bakehouse.[7]

From September 2019, she was a contestant in the 17th season of the BBC television programme Strictly Come Dancing, partnered with professional dancer Aljaž Škorjanec.[12] The couple were eliminated in week seven. She became involved in a voting controversy after a staff member at Longleat House offered to pay for colleagues' votes in her support.[21]

On 18 September 2021, she was a contestant alongside Lauren Steadman in the "Strictly" celebrities special of Pointless; her duo was the first eliminated duo of the episode.[22]

In 2023, Emma and her husband, Ceawlin Thynn, 8th Marquess of Bath, hosted Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, at Longleat House. The visit was part of the Rededication of the 43rd Wessex Division Service held at Longleat, the family seat of the Marquesses of Bath. Prince Edward met with the Marquess and Marchioness of Bath and their two sons, John Thynn, Viscount Weymouth, and Lord Henry Thynn.[23]

In August 2024, Thynn took part in the nineteenth series of Celebrity MasterChef on BBC One, where she was eliminated in the third heat.[24] The same year, Emma was announced as an ambassador for Victoria’s Secret. The campaign featuring Thynn was filmed at Longleat, her family’s estate in Wiltshire. Her appointment was part of the company’s broader efforts to update its brand image.[3]

In 2025, Emma was named "Best Hostess" in Tatler's Country House Awards.[25]

Personal life and engagements

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As chatelaine, Emma has been actively involved with the legacy of Longleat House and its monetization efforts to ensure its sustainability for future generations. These initiatives were originally started by Ceawlin’s grandfather, Henry, who opened Longleat to the public and established the first safari park outside Africa.[7]

Emma was present at the opening of Il Borro Tuscan Bistro in Mayfair, London, in November 2021. The event was attended by several notable figures from British society, including Lady Mary Charteris and Lady Amelia Windsor.[26]

She was among the guests at the Royal Ascot Gold Cup dinner held at The Ritz in London in May 2022. The event took place in anticipation of the Royal Ascot races and included a presentation of Garrard’s Gold Cup for 2022.[27] Emma participated in the opening event for the Africa Fashion exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum on June 2022. The exhibition presented a collection of garments and textiles from various African countries, emphasizing both historical and modern styles.[28]

In September 2022, Emma was present at a launch event at Claridge’s in London marking the release of A Visible Man, the memoir of Edward Enninful, Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue. The event was hosted by Vanessa Kingori and included guests such as Kate Moss and Idris Elba.[29] In October, Emma co-hosted a private dinner at Sir John Soane’s Museum in London with Wes Gordon, Creative Director of Carolina Herrera. The event brought together guests from the fashion and cultural sectors such as, Lady Frederick Windsor, Lady Mary Charteris, Olivia Buckingham, and musician Eve. The dinner took place in the museum’s historic setting, surrounded by its collection of art and antiquities.[30]

In November 2022, Emma attended the unveiling of the annual Claridge’s Christmas Tree in London, designed that year by Sandra Choi for Jimmy Choo. The event featured a sculptural tree composed of mirrored panels and lights, accompanied by a live gospel choir performance. The Marchioness was among several notable guests, including actress Golda Rosheuvel and Lady Mary Charteris.[31] This same month, she attended a private opening event for Bacchanalia, a restaurant in London’s Mayfair district. Other attendees included Naomi Campbell, Lady Amelia Spencer, Lady Eliza Spencer, Lady Clara Paget, and Lennon Gallagher.[32] She also attended a book launch event in London for Venetian Gardens, authored by Derry Moore, 12th Earl of Drogheda, and broadcaster Monty Don. The event brought together guests from the fields of art, literature, and media. Other attendees included Countess Mountbatten of Burma and makeup artist Mary Greenwell.[33]

In April 2023, Emma attended the opening of the summer season at Studio Frantzén’s rooftop terrace at Harrods in London. Guests included Lady Clara Paget, Lady Mary Charteris, and Julia Restoin Roitfeld.[34] In the summer of the same year, she travelled along the French Riviera and the Amalfi Coast, visiting locations including Saint-Tropez and Portofino. During this time, she was seen in the company of various public figures, including former basketball player Dwyane Wade and actress Gabrielle Union.[35] In November, she attended the launch of the Louis Vuitton Christmas tree at Claridge’s in London. Other attendees included Lady Mary Charteris, Olivia Buckingham, and Dame Joan Collins.[36]

In 2024, Emma attended Prince Michael's 82nd birthday celebration, accompanied by her manager and friend, Elaine Foran.[37] In December 2024, she attended the annual Claridge’s Christmas Tree unveiling in Mayfair. Other attendees included Olivia Buckingham, Lady Victoria Hervey, Lady Violet Manners, and Alice Naylor-Leyland.[38]

In February 2025, Emma attended the Warner Music x Hennessy BRIT Awards afterparty in Mayfair. Held following the annual BRIT Awards at the O2 Arena, the event was attended by figures from the music and fashion industries, including Charli XCX,[39] Ella Henderson, Jess Glynne, and others. Emma was photographed alongside fashion designer Christian Louboutin.[40]

Marriage and issue

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Emma first met Ceawlin when she was four and he was 16, at the wedding of her half-brother Iain McQuiston to Ceawlin’s aunt, Lady Silvy Cerne Thynne. Over the following two decades, they saw each other only occasionally at large family gatherings.[7]

Emma and Ceawlin Thynn, Viscount Weymouth married on 8 June 2013,[41] in a ceremony attended by 355 guests.[3] Upon her marriage, she became Viscountess Weymouth.[12][42] The wedding in 2013 drew attention due to the absence of her in-laws.[3] It was reported that Lady Bath did not attend, with some speculating that she felt the marriage would affect the family's heritage.[43]

Emma became the first member of the British aristocracy to have a child via surrogacy after medical advice indicated potential health risks associated with pregnancy. Emma and her husband, Ceawlin Thynn, welcomed their son, Henry Thynn, at a private clinic in the United States. The couple, who had a two-year-old son, John, opted for surrogacy after Emma was diagnosed with a brain bleed and a pituitary gland disorder during her first pregnancy. Medical professionals advised that a second pregnancy could pose serious health risks. The condition caused significant pain and led to the baby being delivered by caesarean section.[44]

When her husband succeeded his father as the Marquess of Bath in 2020, she became the first black marchioness in British history.[45][46][42][13]

References

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  1. ^ "Everything You Need to Know About Britain's First Black Marchioness Emma Weymouth". W Magazine. 7 November 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  2. ^ a b Rhys, Gillian (1 May 2020). "Britain's first black marchioness Emma Weymouth is a billionaire oil heiress, London socialite, Strictly Come Dancing star and Vogue editor". Style Magazine. South China Morning Post. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d Holt, Bethan (30 August 2024). "Marchioness of Bath named new face of Victoria's Secret". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  4. ^ Kamp, David (25 April 2018). "Meet the Viscountess Transforming the Idea of British Aristocracy". Vanity Fair. Condé Nast. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  5. ^ Ladi Jadesimi[dead link], business profile.
  6. ^ Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base: Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base Management, retrieved 28 November 2017.
  7. ^ a b c d Curtis, Nick (20 June 2018). "How posh are your cakes? Meet Viscountess Weymouth, the aristo Nigella". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  8. ^ Marsh, Stefanie. "Britain's first black marchioness". The Times. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  9. ^ a b "Pride & prejudice: Emma Weymouth on sleeping with Longleat's lions and beating the blue-blooded bigots". London Evening Standard. 19 November 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  10. ^ Ward, Audrey. "A Life in the Day: Viscountess Emma Weymouth | The Sunday Times Magazine". The Times. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  11. ^ a b "Emma McQuiston". HuffPost. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  12. ^ a b c d "BBC One - Strictly Come Dancing - Viscountess Emma Weymouth". BBC. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  13. ^ a b Simpson, Craig (29 November 2020). "Viscountess Emma Weymouth: 'I want to bring everything back to Longleat - even the pineapples". The Telegraph. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  14. ^ "Emma's Kitchen". Longleat. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  15. ^ "BBC One - All Change at Longleat". BBC. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  16. ^ "Emma Loves... Fiorucci". Emma Weymouth. 29 September 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  17. ^ Marissa G. Muller (7 November 2017). "Meet Emma Weymouth, Britain's First Black Marchioness Who Just Modeled for Dolce & Gabbana". W Magazine. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  18. ^ "Emma Weymouth | Moderation Not Deprivation". Emma-weymouth.com. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  19. ^ "Emma Weymouth News and Features". British Vogue. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  20. ^ "Back From the Wilderness – London Fashion Week". HuffPost. 22 February 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  21. ^ Reporters, Telegraph (26 October 2019). "Emma Weymouth 'completely devastated' over Strictly Come Dancing voting scandal". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  22. ^ "BBC One - Pointless Celebrities, Series 14, Strictly".
  23. ^ Bridger-Linning, Stephanie (19 May 2023). "The Marchioness of Bath delivers a masterclass in regal dressing as she hosts the Duke of Edinburgh at Longleat". Tatler. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  24. ^ "Celebrity MasterChef 2024: Heat 3 quarter-finalists revealed as another star is eliminated". virginradio.co.uk/entertainment. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  25. ^ Forbes, Sacha (June 2025). "The Tatler 2025 Country House Awards". Tatler. pp. 106–109.
  26. ^ Bystander (12 November 2021). "London's leading It girls gather for the launch of new Mayfair hotspot Il Borro". Tatler. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  27. ^ Motion, Davina (11 May 2022). "The social set herald the return of Royal Ascot with a flourish at The Ritz". Tatler. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  28. ^ Bystander (29 June 2022). "Africa Fashion party: an exercise in power dressing in SW7". Tatler. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  29. ^ Bystander (5 September 2022). "Vanessa Kingori hosts a starry night at Claridge's to herald the debut of Edward Enninful's new memoir". Tatler. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  30. ^ Bystander (28 October 2022). "The Marchioness of Bath's glitzy Carolina Herrera dinner was the most glamorous event of the week". Tatler. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  31. ^ Bystander (24 November 2022). "Tatler cover star and reigning queen of Bridgerton Golda Rosheuvel joins Emilia Boateng and the Spencer sisters to light up Claridge's x Jimmy Choo Christmas tree unveiling". Tatler. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  32. ^ Bystander (18 November 2022). "Former Tatler cover stars the Marchioness of Bath and Lady Amelia and Lady Eliza Spencer dazzled at the grand opening of Richard Caring's Bacchanalia". Tatler. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  33. ^ Bystander (18 November 2022). "What happened when leading lights of art, literature and broadcasting came together at 5 Hertford Street for a 'very buzzy' book launch". Tatler. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  34. ^ Bystander (20 April 2023). "Studio Frantzén's rooftop terrace at Harrods opens for the summer season with a sky-high sunset soirée". Tatler. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  35. ^ Bickerstaff, Isaac (21 August 2023). "The Marchioness of Bath is queen of the high seas as she sets sail for Portofino and St Tropez". Tatler. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  36. ^ Tregaskes, Chandler (24 November 2023). "Seasons tree-tings! An elegant array of aristos and It-girls head to Claridge's for the launch of the Louis Vuitton Christmas tree". Tatler. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  37. ^ Davies, Matt (29 July 2024). "Strictly star speaks out on awkward wardrobe blunder at Kensington Palace party". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
  38. ^ Tregaskes, Chandler (21 November 2024). "It's glitz-mas! Claridge's unveils its annual Christmas tree spectacular with a glittering cast of society darlings". Tatler. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  39. ^ "Inside The Brit Awards Afterparties 2025 With Charli XCX And An Inflatable Disco". ELLE. 2 March 2025. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  40. ^ Tregaskes, Chandler (3 March 2025). "It's BRITs! Inside the night that aristos, It-girls and the British music scene's hottest talent rocked Claridge's until the sun came up". Tatler. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  41. ^ "New Longleat Exhibitions Celebrate Weddings Past and Present". Longleat Enterprises Ltd. 21 May 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2023. ...A unique exhibition celebrating the recent wedding of Ceawlin Thynn, the 12th Viscount Weymouth, to Emma McQuistom has gone on display in Longleat House. The wedding, which took place on June 8th 2013, was one of the largest held at Longleat.
  42. ^ a b "Inside the Glamorous Life of Britain's First Black Marchioness". ABC News. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  43. ^ Wise, Louise (26 October 2019). "Lady Emma Weymouth, Britain's first black viscountess, on Strictly, diversity and life at Longleat". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  44. ^ Harley, Nicola (7 January 2017). "Longleat heir has son born by surrogacy after medics warned pregnancy could kill Lady Weymouth". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  45. ^ Bryant, Ben (18 August 2013). "Britain's first black viscountess's regret over father-in-law's wedding snub". Telegraph. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  46. ^ "Viscountess Weymouth: Emma McQuiston – Britain's first black Marchioness". Sola Rey. 23 February 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
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