Latest news with #LordFellowes
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Watch: First look at final Downton Abbey film
The place we'll always remember. The family we'll never forget. Everything has led to this. Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is only in theaters September 12. Watch the teaser trailer now. — Downton Abbey (@DowntonAbbey) June 2, 2025 The trailer for the new Downton Abbey film has hinted at a poignant final chapter. After six series and two films, a final cinematic release will conclude the story of the Crawley family in September 2025 with Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. A teaser trailer suggests that there will be an emotional end to the Edwardian saga devised by writer Lord Fellowes, which began with the first series on ITV in 2010. Promotional material for the third and final film in the franchise shows Hugh Bonneville's character Robert Crawley, the Earl of Grantham, apparently bidding farewell to Downton. The trailer includes a portrait of Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham, who was played by the late Dame Maggie Smith. Her character was killed off in the 2022 film Downton Abbey: A New Era, two years before Dame Maggie herself died aged 89. Executive producer Gareth Neame said that the film would contain a 'meaningful' tribute to Dame Maggie, and her loss would be reflected in the plot of the finale of the Downton story. In an interview with TV Line in 2024, Neame said: 'The fact that Dame Maggie herself has now passed away since that time has given a real added poignancy to a story that we would have planned anyway.' Few further details of the film's plot have been revealed. The film stars Dominic West as silent film star Guy Dexter, and Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary, who will be shown navigating London high society. The trailer hints at the plot revolving to some degree around a stage show and shows Lady Mary being mobbed by the press and treated like a star. Her former on-screen partner Matthew Goode's character Henry Talbot will not be returning for the final film. The actor said that he felt his character was 'edging towards becoming a bit of a wet lettuce' and suggested it was a 'good thing' he would not return, allowing Lady Mary to find another love interest.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Prince Harry and Prince William's uncle leaves staggering fortune in will — main beneficiary named
Prince William and Prince Harry's uncle, Lord Fellowes, had his will read, with court documents showing that almost his staggering fortune of £1.5 million was left to his wife, Baroness Fellowes, as well as gifts for friends and local charities. It is understood that neither Harry nor William were left anything in the will. Robert Fellowes passed away in July 2024 aged 82. He was previously a working member of the Royal Household, who even served as Private Secretary to Queen Elizabeth II. He joined the household in 1977 and was appointed a life peer in 1999 in the Queen's Birthday Honours List. He remained an extra equerry to the late Queen until her passing in 2022. The High Court of Justice authorised a grant of probate to Baroness Fellowes and their son, Alexander, as the executors of his estate in mid-May. His will and testament, which was made in June 2012, stated that he would leave his possessions to his wife as well as income from his estate, but requested that his estate support the wider family for "advancement and benefit generally", which includes his son and two daughters, Alexander, Laura, and Eleanor. Other beneficiaries of the will included an Andrew Grange, who received £1,000, and a charitable donation of £1,000 to Tapping House Hospice in West Snettisham. Money was also given to the Rhodes Trust, St Mary's Church, and The Provost and Fellows of Eton College. Both Harry and William attended Lord Fellowes' funeral at St Mary's Church in the village of Snettisham, Norfolk in 2024, despite reportedly not exchanging words during the event due to the ongoing fallout between them following the Duke of Sussex's exit from official royal duties. Speaking about their attendance, the vicar who conducted the service, Reverend Dan Tansey, told the Mail: "It was a surprise but a really pleasant one that they had both come, but maybe less shocking that William was there. "On the way out, they both said thank you for the service and I thanked them for coming. At the reception afterwards, there was a very relaxed and cordial atmosphere. It would have meant a lot to Lord Fellowes to have them both at the service. He loved them both very much. David Hocking, 93, also spoke about the brothers at the service, telling The Times: "I was at the church. They weren't speaking, one sat one side of church, and the other was in the aisle on the other side. It was very sad [to see them apart]. I hope they got talking at the reception, I didn't go but I spoke to a couple of people at the reception … they said they were there."
Times
22-05-2025
- General
- Times
Downton Abbey creator's anger at homes near Thomas Hardy's house
The creator of Downton Abbey has accused Dorset Council of having 'no appreciation for history' after it granted the Duchy of Cornwall permission to build 100 houses next to Thomas Hardy's historic home in Dorset. Lord Fellowes of West Stafford, who is president of the Thomas Hardy Society, questioned whether the developers had a 'conscience' over the plans. He said developing the countryside so close to where the Victorian novelist wrote many of his great works, such as Tess of the d'Urbervilles and The Mayor of Casterbridge, would make it more difficult for fans to understand Hardy's inspiration. The Thomas Hardy Society said it would be challenging the decision by Dorset council and urged the duchy to spare the 'sacred' land at Stinsford, on
Times
22-05-2025
- General
- Times
Downtown Abbey creator's anger at homes near Thomas Hardy's house
The creator of Downton Abbey has accused Dorset Council of having 'no appreciation for history' after it granted the Duchy of Cornwall permission to build 100 houses next to Thomas Hardy's historic home in Dorset. Lord Fellowes of West Stafford, who is president of the Thomas Hardy Society, questioned whether the developers had a 'conscience' over the plans. He said developing the countryside so close to where the Victorian novelist wrote many of his great works, such as Tess of the d'Urbervilles and The Mayor of Casterbridge, would make it more difficult for fans to understand Hardy's inspiration. The Thomas Hardy Society said it would be challenging the decision by Dorset council and urged the duchy to spare the 'sacred' land at Stinsford, on
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes says Prince William's Duchy of Cornwall has 'no conscience' after go-ahead to build 100 houses next to Thomas Hardy's home
The creator of Downton Abbey has said Prince William 's Duchy of Cornwall has 'no conscience' after they were given the go-ahead to build 100 houses. Lord Julian Fellowes is urging the royal estate to spare the 'sacred land' which is next to the Victorian novelist Thomas Hardy's historic home. He said developing the countryside so close to where the iconic author wrote many of his great works would make it harder for fans to understand Hardy's methods. The Thomas Hardy Society, of which Lord Fellowes is president, confirmed it would be challenging the decision. They also accused the Duchy of trying to take over Dorchester, citing King Charles ' sprawling designer village of Poundbury to the west of the market town. Hardy, an architect before he became a celebrated novelist, had Grade I Max Gate built in Stinsford on the outskirts of Dorchester in 1885. It was there he wrote some of his best work including Tess of the d'Urbervilles, The Mayor of Casterbridge and Jude the Obscure. He was often inspired by the landscape that surrounded him. He renamed Wessex towns and villages in his books and graphically detailed the countryside he explored in them. In 2022 C.G Fry, the Duchy of Cornwall's developers for Poundbury, submitted plans for 107 houses to be built on four paddocks of land to the north of Max Gate. Dorset Council has now approved the plans despite a number of objections. Lord Fellowes, who lives in the nearby village of West Stafford, said: 'The people who have approved this clearly have no appreciation for the history of the county and the importance of Thomas Hardy to the area. 'I don't really see how the developers and the council, grown men and women, can do that with a conscience. 'I understand that they have to do something about the shortage of housing but there are so many other places that they could be built that would not interfere with such historic sites. 'It will be much more difficult for future generations to truly understand Hardy's life and works.' Mark Chutter, chairman of the Thomas Hardy Society, said: 'This land is quite sacred in terms of the life of Thomas Hardy. 'I know building houses is important but they need to be located appropriately. It should not be adjacent to historic buildings such as Max Gate. Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) British poet, novelist and dramatist with his second wife, Florence 'I think the Duchy of Cornwall should think again and should consider the importance of Hardy to the surrounding land. 'The development needs to be stopped so the land can be protected. 'We have already got Poundbury which is Duchy of Cornwall land. That is a huge development which they are still building and now they want to do this so close to Max Gate. 'Why do they have to be there of all locations? 'The Thomas Hardy Society will be challenging this and raising the importance of the location.' The Duchy of Cornwall was established in 1337 to provide an income for the heir to the throne. It is a major landowner with 130,000 acres of land and brings in £24m a year in profit. After King Charles ascended the throne in 2023 Prince William took over ownership of the Duchy. Mr Chutter said: 'It worries me that the Duchy of Cornwall seems to be taking over west Dorset. 'Poundbury has been going on for years and this seems to be next. We are going to be inundated with buildings. 'We are going to get crowded with buildings and the character of Dorchester will become unrecognisable.' Neil Mathews, chairman of the board of trustees of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, Dorset, said: 'We recognise the need to build more houses but it has to be done respectfully and in the right manner. 'Developers seem to be building large houses that certainly are not affordable for young people and first-time buyers looking to get onto the property ladder. 'We hope that the developers will be sympathetic towards Max Gate and the ancient henge in the area and not disrespect the historic land. 'I would hope that the Prince of Wales would take an interest in the development and I hope that he would be sympathetic towards the history and heritage and make sure of the affordable nature of the new homes. 'There are also issues with infrastructure. I know the nearest doctors surgery is full to capacity and the schools are at their limit. 'The roads are already rammed. 'There is always the danger that this could be a slippery slope and more and more greenfield land becomes built on.' In its planning application the Duchy acknowledged the proximity of the development to Max Gate, which is run by the National Trust, but said it would not harm the visitor experience. It said: 'This change would not materially affect the experience of the house from the surrounding area, nor the experience within its grounds. 'On this basis it is concluded that the proposed development would not result in any harm to the significance of the house.' They said the scheme will provide 'high-quality homes, including affordable housing, whilst complementing the unique historic identity of the area'. Paul Hoffmann, of CG Fry, added: 'I do not think that the proposed development would result in Max Gate suffering a loss of significance.' Hardy lived at Max Gate from 1885, firstly with wife Emma, and then with his second wife Florence. He dictated his final poem while lying on his deathbed at the property.
