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Lady Catherine and the Real Downton Abbey
The follow-up to Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey, this book moves the story into the 1920s, and focuses on the remarkable American heiress who came to reign at Highclere Castle.
Sometimes the facts are even more extraordinary than the fiction ...
This book tells the story of Lady Catherine, a beautiful American girl who became the chatelaine of Highclere Castle, the setting for Julian Fellowes' award-winning drama Downton Abbey.
Charming and charismatic, Catherine caught the eye of Lord Porchester (or 'Porchey', as he was known) when she was just 20 years old, and wearing a pale yellow dress at a ball. She had already turned down 14 proposals before she eventually married Porchey in 1922. But less than a year later Porchey's father died suddenly, and he became the 6th Earl of Carnarvon, inheriting a title and a Castle that changed both their lives forever.
Catherine found herself suddenly in charge of a small army of household staff, and hosting lavish banquets and weekend house parties. Although the couple were very much in love, considerable challenges lay ahead for Catherine. They were immediately faced with the task of saving Highclere when debts threatened to destroy the estate. As the 1920s moved to a close, Catherine's adored brother died and she began to lose her husband to the distractions London had to offer. When the Second World War broke out, life at the Castle would never be the same again.
Drawing on rich material from the private archives at Highclere, including beautiful period photographs, the current Countess of Carnarvon transports us back to the thrilling and alluring world of the 'real Downton Abbey' and its inhabitants.
Sometimes the facts are even more extraordinary than the fiction ...
This book tells the story of Lady Catherine, a beautiful American girl who became the chatelaine of Highclere Castle, the setting for Julian Fellowes' award-winning drama Downton Abbey.
Charming and charismatic, Catherine caught the eye of Lord Porchester (or 'Porchey', as he was known) when she was just 20 years old, and wearing a pale yellow dress at a ball. She had already turned down 14 proposals before she eventually married Porchey in 1922. But less than a year later Porchey's father died suddenly, and he became the 6th Earl of Carnarvon, inheriting a title and a Castle that changed both their lives forever.
Catherine found herself suddenly in charge of a small army of household staff, and hosting lavish banquets and weekend house parties. Although the couple were very much in love, considerable challenges lay ahead for Catherine. They were immediately faced with the task of saving Highclere when debts threatened to destroy the estate. As the 1920s moved to a close, Catherine's adored brother died and she began to lose her husband to the distractions London had to offer. When the Second World War broke out, life at the Castle would never be the same again.
Drawing on rich material from the private archives at Highclere, including beautiful period photographs, the current Countess of Carnarvon transports us back to the thrilling and alluring world of the 'real Downton Abbey' and its inhabitants.
Hardcover
Published September 12, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 14, 2026
Though I was prompted to read this this book because I enjoyed the Downton Abbey series, I was soon learning much about the discovery of King Tut's tomb and engaged with the upper class lives of the established royal British circle that Lady Catherine of Highclere castle was a part of.
Many historical events of pre and wartime England were covered. I was impressed with the detail of the attack on Pearl Harbour--4 battleships sunk, 4 seriously damaged, 2400 servicemen killed--and how and why Japan did this to further the Japanese war on Malaya.
The lives of the Carnarvons and their successes and failures is given in detail through the years until 1945 and in summary to the present after that. The history is always given without rancor and many details are surprising and very well researched.
Many historical events of pre and wartime England were covered. I was impressed with the detail of the attack on Pearl Harbour--4 battleships sunk, 4 seriously damaged, 2400 servicemen killed--and how and why Japan did this to further the Japanese war on Malaya.
The lives of the Carnarvons and their successes and failures is given in detail through the years until 1945 and in summary to the present after that. The history is always given without rancor and many details are surprising and very well researched.
May 5, 2025
This book is a change from my normal of fiction. What a wonderful surprise!! So well written and the characters whether famous or the staff at Highclere were so descriptive . I really wanted Henry and Robert to come home safe and was sad when Geoffrey didn’t. A really good book .
April 5, 2026
I loved this book! If you are a Downton Abbey fan, you will love the history behind Highclere and seeing how so many things in the show are exact reenactments of the lives of the people who lived there! Enjoyable, historic, heartbreaking and uplifting! Highly recommend!
October 13, 2025
Brings “the real” Downton Abbey to life!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews