In a special role befitting her renown, Victoria is pleased to welcome to its pages The Countess of Carnarvon, whose compelling essays, remarkable home, and varied pursuits promise a year of inspiration.
Alongside her husband, the 8th Earl of Carnarvon, The Countess of Carnarvon has cared for and dwelt within the iconic walls of Highclere Castle since 2001. Though readers may be familiar with the estate’s history, which extends to Anglo-Saxon times, the strongest public impression came in 2010 with television series Downton Abbey, a fictional costume drama set in this remarkable Hampshire, England, home.
Eager to share the heritage of “the real Downton Abbey,” The Countess of Carnarvon has written books and an extensive blog highlighting stories of the castle. These unique glimpses into the building—and the five thousand acres that surround it—include both modern anecdotes of the people and animals who work and live there and the rich legacy of those who came before.
The esteemed author began her writing career by penning a pair of guidebooks: the fits chronicling the general splendor of Highclere and the second detailing the castle’s Egyptian exhibition, which celebrates the 5th Earl of Carnarvon’s 1922 discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun with Howard Carter. With the rise in popularity of Downton Abbey, she published biographies about her predecessors, including Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey, which deals with World War I and Highclere’s temporary transformation into a hospital—a truth depicted in the television series. Other titles include Lady Catherine and the Real Downton Abbey, At Home at Highclere, Seasons at Highclere, and Christmas at Highclere.
With each new volume, blog post, podcast episode, and Victoria essay, The Countess of Carnarvon seeks to share the affection of one of the most well-known houses and draw others into the wonder of Highclere’s world.
Photography courtesy Highclere Castle
To learn more about The Countess of Carnarvon, turn to the Lady-in-Residence column of each Victoria issue in 2025. This winter, see her essay “Thoughtful Strolls” in the January/February 2025 issue, available on newsstands and at victoriamag.com.
