You can’t blame Oak Bay Beach Hotel employees for being as excited as Downton Abbey’s household staff can get when the aristocracy comes to dinner.
On March 6, the hotel will host Lady Fiona Carnarvon, owner of Highclere Castle, a.k.a. the “real” Downton Abbey.
“The attendance of Lady Fiona Carnarvon is a special honour,” said Phil Trott, assistant general manager of the hotel.
The 8th Countess of Carnarvon will be guest-of-honour for a gala broadcast of the series finale in the David Foster Foundation Theatre.
“It has created an entirely authentic feel to this very special evening,” Trott said.
The event is being presented with KCTS Seattle, the PBS affiliate that shows Downton Abbey as part of its Masterpiece Classics series.
Guests are invited to dress in1920s-era clothing to reflect the style of the series that dramatizes the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their domestic servants.
Lady Fiona (Aitken) Carnarvon and her husband, George Herbert, the 8th Earl of Carnarvon, live in the Hampshire castle that depicts Downton Abbey and are passionate about sharing its heritage.
Diana Barkley, managing director of development of the Pacific Coast Television Association, said plans for her ladyship’s visit to B.C. began last summer.
“We were looking to celebrate Downton Abbey’s finale in a meaningful way and we approached the British consulate general,” said Barkley, who oversees Canadian donations to KCTS.
When Barkley suggested they invite Lord and Lady Carnarvon, British consul general Rupert Potter “was delighted” and eager to host them for a consulate event in Vancouver.
While Lord Carnarvon was unavailable, Lady Fiona accepted an invitation to attend a gala afternoon tea that weekend at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.
When Barkley asked if she would be willing to participate in another event, Lady Fiona, who is close friends with series creator Julian Fellowes, readily agreed.
“I said, ‘Oak Bay Beach Hotel has been doing this for four years now,’ ” Barkley recalled. “I told her this place was more British than Britain, and that it’s just a perfect place for her to go.”
Since Downton Abbey began airing, Highclere Castle — which has 300 rooms, gardens, parkland, a farm and estate — has become one of the world’s most recognized homes and a popular tourist attraction.
DOWNTON ABBEY FINALE
• The March 6 finale event begins at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception, followed by a dinner prepared by hotel executive chef Kreg Graham and a showing of the Downton Abbey series finale at 9 p.m.
• Tickets are $149, with partial proceeds benefiting KCTS and the David Foster Foundation. Seating is limited to 120 guests.
• To make reservations call 1-800-668-7758 or go to oakbaybeachhotel.com
