Sympathy

Thank you for your posts that I relish and look forward to.  You are a role model for us all.

Thank you for the wonderful commentary on the newest Downton Abbey film. We enjoyed the story and especially enjoyed seeing the castle once again. Best wishes for a wonderful autumn.

While I adhere to, "Happy Life, Happy Wife". I especially love, "Happy Spouse, Happy House". This is what seems to sum up all that is Highclere.

Just going to see the film in harrogate and eventually I will see the real thing

Loved the movie finale. Sad to see this wonderful story go. My next place to go is to visit Highclere. Cannot wait to see where this family unfolds and see where yours is a constant.

I recently saw Downton Abbey Grand Finale and loved it. I followed the series through all of its seasons and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was always a delightful getaway from everyday life. Hope the future holds good things for all of the characters. Your blog summed it up beautifully
Thank you!

spin off and a continue of the movie as younger violet or is it cora

It was interesting and entertaining to see the Downton Abbey Final movie with the original actors that were able to participate in it and the outside
and inside areas of Highclere Castle. Good luck to you and Lord Carnarvon for keeping it livable inside and out.

I just watched it on the weekend, I am a die hard fan of the show, I have watched the series over 10 times, it gets me through frustrating times.  I loved the Grand
finale, cried like they were family.  After having visited Highclere Castle last year, I watched the movie with a new and and closer perspective. It was like I was 
watching the movie unfold in a very familiar place.  I can't wait to visit again!!!

I appreciate finding your writing each Monday; It is both thought provoking and insightful. I do tend to use sympathy for sad happenings such as funerals, etc., but use understanding as an important acknowledgement and recognition of people's situations, travails, and thoughts. Unfortunately, empathy is often labeled 'woke' in some current circles, and tends to be denigrated by strong-minded people who feel their philosophies and directions are the only right ones. I do wish people of different persuasions in all endeavors would get together and develop solutions that help the majority of people. Thank you for providing us with thought-provoking commentary each Monday - a 'responsibility' that continually requires extensive effort.

Daughter and I plan to see the movie together. Much as I look forward to it, I'm okay with waiting a bit so I can look forward to it.
Also I'm not dwelling on the "absolutely last one" part of the story.
I can always hope for a re-boot in some form.

I am gong to see the Downton Abbey finale and lam fan of Downton Abbey and lovely highcelere castle and did you and lord Carnarvon have a wonderful weekend

We visited Highclere last summer with dear friends and we four decided that we must see the final film together, which we did on opening day. It was lovely to see memories of the “real” Downton Abbey. All good things must come to an end, sad as it may be. Thank you Lady Carnarvon for sharing your home and for yet another beautiful chronicle. 
Judy from the USA

I visited Highclere in 2016 on the Downton Abbey Tour!  I am still basking in the thrill of it!  Watching the final movie was so fun but also brought tears because it was final.  It was also so fun because I had been there and walked up and down that famous and regal stairway; been right there at the Salon; walked around that beautiful balcony!  
I am so thankful that I can watch the entire Downton Abby Series on repeat and repeat, which I do regularly!
Thank you Lord and Lady CANARVON for sharing your wonderful castle with the world!

I went to see the final film yesterday(09/14/25)..
I'm glad I brought tissue. It was amazing seeing everyone again.

I'm sad this is the final film. Thank goodness for reruns on Amazon Prime, lol! I'm on my 12th time watching Downton Abby.
I'm keeping their story alive.
Have a great, safe day!
Lilly A.

Big fan of the series and Highclere Castle. We were fortunate enough to visit Highclere this last July and had a great time.
Sending many thanks to you and your staff.

Rick Burfoot

A truly wonderful end - how lucky you are to drive up to the castle, it was such an evocative moment in the film! When I was fortunate enough to visit and walk through the front door - it was so exciting! I think my partner thought I was mad but the pleasure was real and although a fair while ago, I can still remember the magic and it made watch (the first cinema showing locally) all the more special. 
Thank you for your part in this amazing spectacle and journey with the Crawleys!

Loved the Downton abbey finale ,saw it yesterday,so sad there were tears towards the end of it.will you miss being invaded by the film crew etc? or relieved to have your home back ?

We just watched the movie yesterday & it was lovely to see the family move along to their next chapter. It was such a change without the great Dowager Countess & a lovely tribute at the end. We visited Highclere maybe around the time of the 2nd season & we hope to return soon.  Thank you for allowing the Downton fans to visit.

Amo la vida alrededor del castillo, es una serie y pelicula que enamoran, lady Carnarvon gracias por compartirnos todas estas maravillas, un saludo.

I saw the Downton Abbey finale and it was fabulous. The person I thought about the most was you and how now it is your turn to train up the next generation to someday take over Highclere Castle. Your husband is so fortunate to have you as a partner. I know you both work very hard to keep it going. Good luck to you both and thanks for your blog every Monday.

After visiting Highclere Castle, I can clearly understand why the castle is the protagonist in Downton Abbey. What a majestic place to live in. I picked up quite a few pinecones as we walked through the property and I have them displayed beautifully in a bowl in our living room. It’s a lovely reminder of our visit to your wonderful home. Thank you for sharing it with us.❤️

I visited the Castle on April 8, 2017, and when the Castle first appeared in the film, I was thrilled!

Booking our cinema seats really looking forward to seeing Highclere having been there a few years ago ,was the one thing a good friend wanted to visit she was so poorly but she visited and this weekend the family and I did the starlight stroll in memory of Rachel thank you for aninteresting read

Had the pleasure to visit your magnificent home and property in May of this year for the second time. Will never visit England again unless a tour of Highclere is included. What memories were created.

Seeing Highclere Castle in person, touring the rooms and walking down the red stairs was surreal and made the The Grand Finale even more special! Thank you for opening your home to so many of us to experience the Real Downtown Abbey. Love from KC! Joe and Jamie

Big fan of the series and Highclere Castle, thank for the use of your home. I hope you will keep up with the going ons at Highclere Castle. I do look forward to monday and your Blog Thank you so much. fondly Jenny

I visited Highclere Castle on the 21 August this year and throughly enjoyed every moment and i am going to see Downton Abbey the finale this Thursday so it will be wonderful to remember I actually went there. I also bought a magnet

“Nothing very bad happens” Those words.
Thank you for a moment of respite in these strange times. Looking forward to a joyful “Downton Abbey” binge.

In some aerial shots of the castle the are some buildings connected to one side of the Castle. Can you comment at some point what these buildings are
and maybe what they are or what they were once used for. Saw the "final" movie ... It was great.
Certainly, left open for more episodes which would be received with joy. Thank you.

I went to watch the film last Saturday in Rome because I live here. It was so beautiful and emotional also because I came to Highclere Castle on 6th September for the event concerning the 80th years after the end of the second world war.
After watching the film, I was in tears and I saw some other women the same.
A piece of my heart is in Highclere Castle and with Downton Abbey.
I will come next year again for the fourth time to the Castle to feel the beautifulness and the peace of the most lovely place of the world place.

I cannot wait to see the newest movie next weekend here in the US. I absolutely loved visiting Highclere Castle in 2017!! Take care of yourself, your family and Highclere.
Cheers! Jenny from Portland, Oregon p.s. Wonderful shows like Downton Abbey are the best escapes these days!!

Loved the series (and own all of the DVDs). Loved watching the Grand Finale on Friday. I am enjoying the videos about Highclere "stuff" via the Viking emails with video interviews. Highclere is definitely my "happy place" albeit virtually. Thank you for your lovely posts Lady Carnarvon.

Going to to see "Downton Abbey the Finale" with a couple of friends this Friday.
It, as a series and then the films ,have given us hours and hours of pleasure.
Sometimes we wonder whom we might have been in the order of things......One friend says "Mrs. Patmore," ano
ther "the Dowager Duchess" (the wonderful Maggie Smith, and another "Daisy."
Many thanks to Julian Fellowes who brought this series to our screens.
And to you, Lady Carnarvon, for sharing your memories of the filming.

The correlation between Downton’s and Highclere’s staff is really interesting! The lords and ladies of the manor must be good employers! What a lovely country and lovely estate your blessed to live in. Carry on! 😊🌻

I think the word "empathy" is almost a better fit...?

Dear Lady Carnarvon

What an interesting story about some of the true characters at Highclere. We look forward to seeing the final Downton Abbey film on our return from our cruise in October

Greetings Lady Carnarvon, I have followed Downton Abbey and Highclere Castle since 2010. I have enjoyed reading, listening and watching all your posts and books. I have enjoyed learning the history of your family and the castle. This past Friday, my husband and I along with friends watch and adored the magnificent movie. 
I will miss those characters but will continue to rewatch the series and movies. It sure would be wonderful if Julian Fellowes would cast new actors for new storylines in 1930’s and 40’s. Long live Downton Abbey!
By the way, I just began your newest book, A Year at Highclere. It’s delightful, honest and a joyful read/listen.  I’m glad you narrated this book for Audible.
Thanks!

I read your posts/blogs from a small town in Virginia, USA.   Thank you for sharing.

Thank you for this beautiful and meaningful blog. My husband and I saw the new Downton Abbey movie yesterday here in the US and loved it! It was especially meaningful since we have visited Highclere Castle twice, most recently with Viking this past June.
I am a lover of history and always enjoy reading your blogs and watching your segments on Viking.tv. I think your recent Weekend to Remember celebration was absolutely wonderful. I wish I could have been there.
And on a completely different topic, I absolutely love your Highclere Castle gin. Unfortunately, we can't buy it at home, but I always manage to bring a bottle or 2 home with me whenever we are in Europe.
Thank you again, Lady Carnarvon, for all that you do. You are appreciated.

Loved the film, which I saw today.  Have visited Highclere twice, once in the summertime and the other in December to see the Christmas decorations. Think another visit is now due.

I love your perspective. I am an avid Downton Abbey fan. I had the unbelievable opportunity to tour Highclere Castle last year. You were a gracious surprise hostess. I was so impressed by all of the employees of the estate. To a person they were as proud and gracious about working at Highclere Castle. Thank you for taking the time to comments. You are totally correct. Sympathy is lacking in our current world. We all can try harder

This week I get to leave my home and travel for the occasion of my 50th high school reunion. While there, I'll get to take in an afternoon showing of the new movie to visit cinematically your beautiful home.
I'm looking forward to seeing old friends from my past as well as Mr. Carson, holding everything together as per usual.

Thank you for your posts,especially this one! I am looking forward to seeing the final movie,I have loved your tours of your home and it is still on my list to visit! Our Royal Botanical Gardens is hosting a flower show of the characters in Downton Abbey in Hamilton,Ontario,Canada and I am looking forward to seeing it. Do take care,

Lady Carnarvon,
I saw the Downton Abbey Grand Finale movie yesterday, September 14, and left the theater feeling very satisfied with the wrap-up and the characters' growth.
Your blog today is so timely in that I noticed how kind the characters were to one another as they braced for challenges.
I zeroed in on your sentence: "[T]he root of the word ‘sympathy’ is key – it is about fellow feeling, of community and being together. How can we all make it work" is a vital question to address the tensions in our world today.
Yes, sympathy might be the answer.
Thank you for your soothing post.

Good night from Brazil,
Dearest Lady Fiona,

I have read two chapters of your
new book, I was impressed by your
research, the introduction and
the month of january are masterpieces
of writing.
Congratulations from a brazilian woman who admires you very much.
As for the end of the movie,
let's not think about it at last,we will be able to see the show as many times as we want streaming
Thank you very much HERBERT family.
Cheers.

VILA ALEMÃ
RIO CLARO-SP
BRAZIL.

First of all, thank you for welcoming Julian Fellows to use Highclere for so many seasons of Downton Abbey.
The series runs nonstop in my home.
I start Season 1 with the telegraph clicking away to divulge the sinking of the Titanic, all the way to an exciting Christmas
and the Happy New Year, ending with the birth of a son for Anna and Bates.
I start Season 1 immediately and happily rewatch it all again and again and again. My husband and I never grow tired of it.
Sometimes, it is a peaceful respite from the state of our Democracy, or it runs in the background as I work on something else.
I know the entire script by heart and know when my favorite scenes are about to appear.
All again to say your extraordinary beautiful home has a been a gift to all of us who continue to immerse ourselves in the lives of the Crawley family.
Visiting Highclere will be on my itinerary when we return to the UK.

Just went to our local cinema last Friday with my Besties to see this amazing, wonderful Downton Abbey finale! The cinema was packed with mostly retirees as we went to
the afternoon matinee.
Heard some sighs, giggles, laughs and I am sure there were tears towards the ending. I know there was for me! Having visited Highclere Castle in 2019, the movie
gave me so many lovely memories of that visit, like being there again!!

We saw the film on opening night…tears flowed as our Downton Family move in the next chapter of their lives. We loved it! And your post today captures the feelings of so many! Thank you for opening your amazing home to the Downton family one last time. It will forever be one of my favorite places that I’ve visited and one of my favorite shows to watch.

I was thrilled to visit Highclere with my daughter at the end of August; this trip has been on my bucket list for far too long. It was everything we'd hoped it would be and so much more. Thank you, for opening your home to the public and for allowing us to wallow in the splendor of such beauty for only the briefest of moments. Is this really the end, the Grand Finale for Downton? I for one sincerely hopes not!

The Final Movie was brilliant the cast did an outstanding job. Julian did not disappoint with the script. It was Classic Downton with a Finale that let no one down! 
Tears were shed at the ending but as you mention the Castle was the last thing we saw….
I hope to return one day ~

Lady Carnarvon,
Although I could not comment yesterday, I looked forward to reading about the movie and readers’ thoughts. I look forward to seeing it soon, although it will be a happy-sad occasion. Thank you for the years you and Lord Carnarvon, your staff and your doggies lived through the wonderful turmoil! Have a lovely autumn. Envy is not a very good trait, but I envy anyone who can visit Highclere more than once! We were there in 2013. I’ve loved reading about it since. Just ordered my Highclere Castle 2026 calendar today. My third year!
Martha G

The series, Highclere, you and Lord Carnarvon hold places in our hearts.  My wife and I have visited Highclere twice and were fortunate to meet you and your husband at one of the garden parties.   Each time we see Highclere, our eyes well up.  Its inhabitants, both fictional and real are special to us.

I binge watched all 6 seasons and the first two movies and then went to see the Finale on Sunday. I have cried for two weeks! And yesterday I watched the 42 minute chat streaming on Peacock with the cast. I will continue to watch it over and over and am asking that my little servants bell that came in my dvd set be tossed in with me when I leave this earth! Thank you for your blog. I love your pictures and stories and am so glad Highclere is in good hands.

I plan to see the film and it will put a big smile on my face again knowing that the castle exists in real life, even though the characters belong in our hearts and minds.

I’ve just seen the movie with my husband and we both loved it and honestly were a little choked up at the ending.
As gay men we especially appreciated the story arc for Thomas and the positive continuation in his story.
I’ve just ordered your latest book (I have all the others!) and look forward to reading about your experiences with the filming.
Please continue with your podcast you have the most wonderful guests and there so comfortable talking to you that it feels like your just sitting in on the conversation.
Thank you for doing what you do. ❤️

Lady Carnarvon,
Can wait to see the film. I am a little sad I don't want it to go.
Wishing you a blessed autumn season.

What a lovely societal sentiment in this difficult time. Sometimes we need reminders to be compassionate, kind and sympathetic to those who choose to be different, to those we have harboured resentment or animosity toward in the past. Thank you for the reminder that figurative walls erected to preserve sanity or to protect emotions can be lowered or dismantled after time and relationships can heal.

We loved The Grand Finale, we have followed Downton through all the series and the films.  
I had wanted to visit Highclere for years (since I was a teenager) because of the link with Tutankhamen's tomb and Lord Carnarvon.  
We (hubby and me) visited Highclere two years ago and absolutely loved it, the only problem was, we did the house tour first and
didn't leave enough time to queue for the Egyptian exhibition, so we'll just have to come back for another visit won't we?
P.S.  We also re-watch and say "We've been in that room, we sat on that bench"!