Lady Fiona Carnarvon, the 8th Countess of Carnarvon, is an author, historian and custodian of one of England’s most celebrated country houses. As the wife of George Herbert, the 8th Earl of Carnarvon, she lives at Highclere Castle in Hampshire, the magnificent Victorian country house that has become internationally renowned as the filming location for Downton Abbey. Through her books, writing and public engagements, she has brought the history of Highclere and its inhabitants to audiences around the world.
Educated at the University of St Andrews, Lady Carnarvon began her professional career as an auditor with Coopers & Lybrand before establishing her own clothing business in the 1990s. Her move into life at Highclere introduced her to an extraordinary historical archive and a living heritage that would become the foundation of her work as a writer.
Lady Carnarvon’s fascination with the people who lived at Highclere inspired her first major historical book, Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey. The book became a New York Times bestseller.
She continued exploring the family’s history in Lady Catherine and the Real Downton Abbey, examining the lives of the people who inhabited Highclere during the 1920s, 1930s and the Second World War. Her interests also extend beyond the castle’s domestic history. In The Earl and the Pharaoh, she explores the life of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon and his association with archaeologist Howard Carter in the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922.
Today, Lady Carnarvon occupies a distinctive place between historical writing and the living world of the English country house. Her books preserve the stories of previous generations, while her work at Highclere helps ensure that the castle remains a place of discovery for contemporary audiences. Her contribution lies not only in revealing the history of a famous house, but in showing how its stories continue to resonate with the world beyond its doors.
Tentative schedule for the day:
9-30 am - Coffee and pastries along with presentations by Activity Leaders
10-50 am - Please take your place for the welcome by the President
11-00 am - Announcements;
11-05 am - Introduction of the Guest Speaker
11-15 am - Address / Interview with our Guest Speaker
11-55 am - Q and A
12-20 pm - Closing remarks
12-30 pm - Meeting conclusion.
For any queries, contact activity leader Nina Giani at Programmes@kcwc.org.uk
