Why did I read this book?

I was in Edinburgh when I started reading Lady Catherine, the Earl, and the Real Downton Abbey. My sister and I stayed at a hotel called The Resident in Edinburgh’s lovely West End. The hotel has a good-sized lobby with a fireplace, comfortable chairs, and several shelves of books along the back wall. Whether fiction or nonfiction, prose or poetry, the books all seemed to have a connection to the United Kingdom. Set a bookshelf in front of me and I can’t help it: I start perusing spines. Because I loved the Masterpiece series Downton Abbey, the title of Fiona Aitken’s book caught my attention. Aitken, married to the 8th Earl of Carnarvon, is the 8th Countess of Carnarvon.

What is this book about?

Aitken’s book covers the lives of Catherine Wendell, an American beauty, and Henry Herbert Porchester, the 6th Earl of Carnarvon, from the early 1920s through the end of WWII. Readers first meet Catherine and Henry, called Porchey by his friends and family, in 1923 in India where he is stationed with his regiment. Married in 1922, they are still honeymooners and very much in love. Unlike many British lords of the era, who have expensive-to-maintain manor houses with expansive grounds, Lord Porchester has married for love, not for a cash infusion to prop up his estate. Although, shortly after becoming the 6th Earl of Carnarvon, Porchey discovers the finances of his estate are in disarray.

Readers follow Catherine and Porchey throughout their marriage, divorce, and post-divorce years against the backdrop of the Roaring Twenties, the Depression, the rise of fascism and Hitler, King Edward VIII’s abdication, and WWII. The “Epilogue” summarizes what happened to the key people in this book after WWII.

Why did I like this book?

Fiona Aitken’s book is well written. She tells the story of Catherine and Porchey in a narrative form, combing biography and history in a manner that makes it interesting to read. The book is also well researched because living at Highclere Castle as the 8th Countess of Carnarvon gave Aitken access to the archives at Highclere. Also, her title, family connections, and social status meant she was able to interview people who might not otherwise talk to writers.

While I was in Edinburgh, I only read the first seven chapters. I was busy sightseeing during the day, and because I walked miles everyday, I would fall asleep shortly after crawling into bed. Once I returned to the United States, I checked the book out from the library so I could finish it. I liked Aitken’s book so much that I plan to read her first book, Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle (2011). Lady Almina was married to the 5th Earl of Carnarvon who financed archaeology digs in Egypt, which lead to Howard Carter’s discovery of King Tut’s tomb.

Some concluding thoughts . . .

If you’re a Downton Abbey fan, don’t pick up this book expecting a drama like the TV series; although, a lot of dramatic events happen in the book. However, if you’re a history fan, or an Anglophile, or you like learning about how the wealthy lived in a bygone era, especially during those Downton Abbey years, you’ll enjoy Fiona Aitken’s book.

Connections to the royal family —

Having met as teenagers, the 7th Earl of Carnarvon and Queen Elizabeth II were great friends. He served as her racing manager for years until his death in 2001. Queen Elizabeth was godmother to his son, currently the 8th Earl of Carnarvon. When Queen Elizabeth died, the 8th Earl and Countess made the short list and were invited to the private committal service for the Queen. But they didn’t receive an invitation to the coronation of King Charles in 2023. Charles trimmed the guest list from just over 8,000 who had attended his mother’s coronation to just over 2,000. In my lifetime I’ve seen the popularity of the royal family wax and wane. One of the criticisms people have about the royal family is the amount of money it takes to maintain all that pomp and circumstance. I imagine King Charles shortened the guest list for his coronation because he wants his subjects to know that he too can budget his expenses.

If you want to read the 8th Earl’s comments about not receiving an invite, click on the following article that appeared in Tatler, a British magazine: “Earl of Carnarvon, Queen Elizabeth II’s Godson, Praises ‘Excellent’ King Charles Despite Lack of Coronation Invitation.” It’s all very civilized and polite.