Downton Abbey

'There are, of course, enduring accounts of the Queen admiring objects during visits to friends or at parties, making clear that she would be pleased to receive it as a gift or purchase it for a nominal sum. Other stories suggest that Queen Mary would mention she had part of the same set that she would love to complete, or that these items were lonely without their kin.
Stories of these conversations spread among aristocrats and landed gentry, leading to some families hiding their most prized possessions from view during a royal visit to resist giving away these items to the magpie-eyed Queen.
Tellingly, neither Pope-Hennessey nor Hugo Vickers her biographers reference these stories.'
Faberge Eggs

These form some of the most famous of the Queen’s collectibles, now in the Royal Collection. Carl Fabergé the jeweller made 50 Easter eggs for Nicholas II the last of the Russian tsars, to give to his wife.

Three of them now form part of the Royal Collection, thanks to Queen Mary who acquired them in 1933.
thecrownchronicles.co.uk/history/history-posts/magpie-mary-the-art-lover-and-collector-queen/

We watched Downton Abbey last night. Absolutely loved it. So enjoyable!

NotTooOld

The real Queen Mary apparently was not averse to picking up bits and pieces she admired when visiting posh places. I wonder if the programme was telling us that, in fact, it was her maid who had the light fingers - or some reference to it anyway. Interesting, I thought.

Yes, I wondered that too. I didn’t think that QM actually pinched the ornament or whatever took her fancy, just dropped strong hints that she would like it, and the poor hostess had no choice but to insist she accepted said item.

What a nerve! If I had been hosting the RF, I would have been inclined to lock away all the nice bits until they had left.

Cannot imagine our present Queen emulates her grandmother .

The real Queen Mary apparently was not averse to picking up bits and pieces she admired when visiting posh places. I wonder if the programme was telling us that, in fact, it was her maid who had the light fingers - or some reference to it anyway. Interesting, I thought.

Beswitched

I actually find Tom quite an annoying character. Full of patriotism and fire about an independent Ireland, while happily living an aristocratic lifestyle with his in laws.

I agree...he's a bit of a hypocrite....whereas what you see is what you get with Mary

Beswitched

I didn't realise the new film was due out so soon
I presume Maggie Smith won't be in it which will be a big loss.

Shes in the trailers

I wasn't expecting Maggie Smith to be in the new film, but they showed a trailer during the interval the other night and there she was.

Chardy

Boz

May I point you in the direction of the film Gosford Park. written by Fellowes. Downton with a bit more grit and the wonderful Maggie Smith and Helen Mirren. One of my "desert island" films I could watch repeatedly.

I absolutely loved Gosford Park. I once watched it, rolled it back to the beginning and watched it again. (Never done that before, or since, Boz!) I've never watched Downton Abbey, but I did watch the film this weekend. It was pleasant enough.

I know Chardy. So many Stars; so many dramatic undercurre nts. I can always watch it. Always moved by the Ivor Novello scene with the Aristos being snobby about him and the servants having to listen at the door. Great film on many levels.

I actually find Tom quite an annoying character. Full of patriotism and fire about an independent Ireland, while happily living an aristocratic lifestyle with his in laws.

I watched the film last night. Really enjoyed it especially the end where Tom was dancing.

Boz

May I point you in the direction of the film Gosford Park. written by Fellowes. Downton with a bit more grit and the wonderful Maggie Smith and Helen Mirren. One of my "desert island" films I could watch repeatedly.

I absolutely loved Gosford Park. I once watched it, rolled it back to the beginning and watched it again. (Never done that before, or since, Boz!) I've never watched Downton Abbey, but I did watch the film this weekend. It was pleasant enough.

Just had a quick look at Tom’s wedding pictures.

His top hat looked a bit big!

?

PMSL when Moseley curtsied to HM ????

Was really looking forward to this but ended up being thoroughly bored and disappointed. Don't know why as I really used to enjoy it.

Thanks Maybe aw. Will check that out.

I enjoyed it when it first came out at my local Cinema on 13th Sept 2019 it was my birthday that day and I took myself off for an afternoon of relaxation in one of the posh seats,no one with me to chatter or eat throughout just perfect.

Beswitched

I didn't realise the new film was due out so soon
I presume Maggie Smith won't be in it which will be a big loss.

She is - but there have been strong hints that this is the one where she dies, - look at Tom’s wedding pic if you can.

I loved it .... sunk back into a bit of escapism in troubled times.

I didn't realise the new film was due out so soon
I presume Maggie Smith won't be in it which will be a big loss.

Boz yes Gosford Park is fabulous- what a cast! And it looks beautiful. It is about twenty years old though, so I expect most may have already seen it

May I point you in the direction of the film Gosford Park. written by Fellowes. Downton with a bit more grit and the wonderful Maggie Smith and Helen Mirren. One of my "desert island" films I could watch repeatedly.

Didn’t watch as I’d seen it before (although that doesn’t always stop me) but I thought the series was the best thing since sliced bread!

Exciting Julian Fellowes news! (If you have Prime Video)

His new series ‘The Gilded Age’ airs at the end of this month.

It’s about New York post civil war, a fascinating period when a ridiculous amount of money was sloshing around and it was all about appearance and your bearing in society.

I’ve recently read Anne de Courcey’s ‘The Husband Hunters’ which introduced me to 1880’s NY.

I can’t wait!

I enjoyed it - pure escapism, larger than life characters, beautiful setting, ostentatious dining rooms, ballrooms, and costumes. Feel like I almost know the family and their staff!
Happy there is a new film ready for release at the cinema this year as one hour on TV was never enough for me.

I had looked forward to it, not having seen it at the cinema. It was a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours, but not the greatest script.

Mary was still a snobby rich woman. The fawning over the Royal Family was grating to watch, thank goodness things aren’t as bad nowadays. If I had been Barrow, I too would have been livid over Carson being hauled out of retirement to take over (Lady Mary again). What happened to his palsy, and shaking hands, which forced his retirement in the first place? No sign of that in the film.

The best bits were the way the lovely Tom Branson was brought to the fore, and his increased screen presence was a joy to behold. Have always thought his character was very under rated.