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United Kingdom Lady Fiona Carnarvon oversees Highclere Castle, known globally as the setting for 'Downton Abbey,' and has established herself as a writer and broadcaster, engaging audiences with the castle's history and her experiences.
Lady Carnarvon partnered to launch Highclere Castle Gin, a brand extension leveraging the estate's image. This is the second brand partnership the Carnarvon family formed with entrepreneur Adam von Gootkin.
Lady Fiona Carnarvon is godmother to two Viking cruise ships and Viking celebrates a longstanding partnership with Highclere Castle, including an Oxford & Highclere Castle land extension featuring a Privileged Access tour of the castle. Lady Carnarvon also features in video content with Viking's Karine Hagen discussing their friendship and enduring partnership.
Lady Carnarvon's visit to Highclere Castle was in partnership with Visit Britain, as mentioned in an article about a tea with the Countess of Carnarvon.
Lady Fiona Carnarvon, the Countess of Carnarvon, is the current custodian of Highclere Castle alongside her husband, George Herbert, the 8th Earl of Carnarvon. She formally took over the responsibility of managing the historic estate in 2001. Prior to this, Lady Carnarvon pursued a career as a chartered accountant, having trained and worked for firms such as Coopers & Lybrand. This professional background provided her with a structured approach to the complex financial and operational demands of maintaining a large historical property. Her role at Highclere Castle involves extensive management of the property’s daily affairs, its community of staff, and its public engagement as a historical site and filming location.
Since assuming her role, Lady Carnarvon has published several books detailing the history of Highclere Castle and the lives of its inhabitants. Her first book focused on her predecessor, Almina, highlighting the role of women within the castle’s history. She actively maintains a blog and releases regular podcasts, sharing anecdotes and insights into her daily life at Highclere Castle, often referred to as the ‘Real Downton Abbey.’ These platforms serve to connect the public with the heritage of the estate, showcasing its ongoing community and various activities, such as cooking, gardening, and historical preservation. Her efforts have helped to interpret and reinvent Highclere’s role in the modern world, making it a welcoming and accessible place.
The international recognition of Highclere Castle as the primary filming location for the television series and film ‘Downton Abbey’ significantly amplified its public profile. Lady Carnarvon has been closely involved with the production since it began in 2010, sharing insights into the castle’s authenticity as a setting. She has overseen the development of various initiatives to support the castle, such as creating a Highclere Castle Gin brand and forming partnerships with entities like Viking Cruises. Through her work, Lady Carnarvon has diversified the castle’s revenue streams and expanded its global reach, ensuring its continued preservation and accessibility for future generations.
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