-It's one of the most recognizable buildings in the world.

Highclere Castle is known to hundreds of millions of TV fans around the globe as Downton Abbey.

And at Christmastime, it's at its most magical.

In real life, it's the ancestral home of the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon.

-One area we might share some differences in is the sort of tidiness of office zones.

-I don't think you could talk, actually.

-But there's much more to this estate than a world-famous castle.

-So we're starting with these two welcoming everyone to the virtual cocktail party.

Geordie, are you listening?

-Looking after the business is a constant challenge.

-Each bay is about £250,000, so it's coming out of other businesses.

-No one wants to be the one of a family that somehow loses it on their watch.

-With huge running costs, keeping it afloat is the responsibility of the Carnarvons and just a handful of staff.

-Very delicate.

-After opening for their first full season in three years... -Come on.

You have to come, too.

-...and marking the release of the latest "Downton" movie... -Well, it's very exciting to be at the premiere of "Downton Abbey" movie two.

-...now the castle is gearing up for a bumper festive season... -Don't drop it.

Don't drop it down.

-...welcoming visitors... -Uh, horrible weather.

It's England.

-...and family... -Hello, Georgie Porgie.

How lovely to see you.

-...to enjoy the castle's unique charm this Christmas.

Standing proud by the highest point in the Hampshire Downs lies Highclere Castle.

This heritage country house has been the family home of the Earls of Carnarvon for almost 350 years.

Today, its custodians are the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, Geordie and Fiona.

-Winston!

-For the first time in three years, they're preparing to fully open the castle to Christmas visitors.

Before that, there's the small matter of transforming it into a winter wonderland.

-I think Christmas means to me seeing all my beloved sisters and their kids.

Zoomy-oomy.

Zoomy.

-It's an extraordinary practically make-believe early Victorian building, with an idea of those lovely spires and towers in the north Italian towns.

And that fits in so perfectly with sitting around a tall Christmas tree in this glorious saloon, doesn't it?

-Right, let's see what we can do here.

-With the castle closed to the public, chief elf Sally has less than a week to install 500 meters of garlands, beautify the state rooms, and organize the whole castle team in decorating the trees inside and out.

-The top of that tree on this side here looks a bit bare, doesn't it?

-Sally's usual role is running the castle gift shop, but like everyone at Highclere, she multitasks.

-Let's move this over onto this table.

This is the first day of building the Christmas display in the castle.

I've got my hair.

I'm buried inside it.

The first job is to move the floristry and the Christmas trees that we've already done into the castle.

-Where are we going?

-This way.

Sorry.

-Okay.

We're going to spend today getting them into the right place and trying to make them look beautiful again -- or as beautiful as we can make them look.

-No, you're alright.

-Am I going back?

-It's a busy day today.

All week will be quite busy, to be fair.

-Ow!

-You okay?

-You did it on purpose, didn't you?

I must say, I think Christmas is actually my favorite time of the year.

Castle looks always stunning, and people are feeling happy and quite jolly.

-I totally adore Christmas.

It's very kitsch, very camp, very outrageous, glitz and glamour.

And, uh, well, you'll see with my jumper selection.

-Sally?

-Yeah.

-How are you?

-We've had some problems with the lighting.

-We had mice ate -- -Oh, no.

You're glittering again, by the way.

-You're glowing.

-Oh, yeah, I know.

It's not a dignified look for a woman of my age.

It really isn't.

I go home, I get undressed, and there's a little pool of glitter on my bedroom floor.

-[ Laughing ] I'm sorry.

-Have you seen the dining room?

-No.

Is it hilarious?

-Well, I think it's quite funny.

-Each year, Sally and her gift shop team spend months crafting decorations from scratch in line with a special theme.

-You got bugs on the table.

-This year, it's ancient Egypt, in honor of the centenary of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon and Egyptologist Howard Carter's discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun.

-That well-known Christmas theme, ancient Egypt, 3,000 years before the birth of Christ.

But never mind.

It's not the world's easiest Christmas theme.

I think I am segueing effortlessly between "The Prince of Egypt" and "The Scorpion King," sadly without Dwayne Johnson, but a girl can dream.

I've gone for Egyptian-type plants, lots of gold, lots of bulrushes.

Try to avoid anything that is even vaguely holly and ivy.

Bugs.

Lots of bugs.

Many, many bugs.

It's all about ambiance, really, rather than -- I can't re-create the tomb of Tutankhamun.

-Ladder ladder.

I can't actually see a thing.

[ Laughing ] I've got a bulrush in my face.

-It's such a different take on Christmas.

I hope people enjoy it.

I think it's quite fun.

-In the castle basement, the Carnarvons have created a museum paying tribute to the discovery.

-This year, at least in terms of the wonderful decor we have in all the state rooms, is part of a memory and a nod to the extraordinary work Great-Grandfather did out in Egypt with his colleague Howard Carter.

You will see amazing shades of blue, turquoise, red, towards gold.

-But even with the Egyptian theme, there's one traditional Christmas staple that will still make the cut.

And a small forest of them has just arrived from a local sustainable farm.

-24 small trees.

Lean them up against the skip for the moment.

-Overseeing the placement of them all is head gardener Paul.

-We've got 24 small trees going down the main drive.

We then should have four exceptionally large trees for the front of the castle, one for the middle of the courtyard, five to go around the courtyard and the tea rooms, and there should be one on board that always goes to the parish church.

And every year we supply the church with a tree, as well.

-But the most important one is the tree destined for the castle's iconic main hall.

-We are now about to go and take delivery of the tree for the saloon.

So this morning might involve a little bit of muscle, first of all.

Sally and I went to visit, have handpicked -- I'm going to say Sally has handpicked the tree.

I just agreed with her.

I said, "That one looks lovely."

This is year 10 of performing this task.

Scarred every year by it.

[ Laughs ] No, it's all good.

We'll get it under cover, because obviously, carrying a wet tree into an ancient castle isn't necessarily the greatest thing.

Hello!

-This year's tree has been sourced from a local farmer, Trevor.

-Length -- currently on 30 foot.

Weight -- anyone got a clue?

-Maybe ton and a half.

-Ton and a half?

-About an eight-person lift.

-About an eight-person lift.

Yeah.

[ Indistinct talking ] -Look at that.

-Excellent.

-We're looking absolutely spot-on.

It's down to Jake now.

Jake's going to take it away.

-Store it.

-Apparently.

-And then it'll stay in the dry until Friday morning.

Then it's take it into castle.

-When Highclere opens to the public in a few days' time, visitors will take a tour of the castle, followed by afternoon tea in a heated marquee.

-It's very droopy here.

-No, no, no, Sally.

-Oh, right.

Okay.

You're fixing.

Okay.

-But first, Sally has to transform the tent into an Egyptian desert oasis.

-Let's get the boards up now.

-Tell me where you want them.

-Equidistant one, two, three.

So, my role at Christmas is chief elf.

24 months in advance, Lord and Lady Carnarvon and I sit down, and we work out what theme we're going to do.

I then have to come up with some ideas.

So we're going to hang these three per plastic panel.

From January onwards, I am making all the Christmas decorations, dressing the smaller trees, making the garlands, little pallet wrapped, and I've got two large shipping containers in the old sawmills.

-We don't have any more pots, do we?

Oh, we go in here.

It's only just starting to take shape now.

We're waiting for tablecloths, and we've got decorations to go on every single table, so hopefully it'll be amazing.

We're going to have probably about 8,000 people coming through this marquee.

So it's very important that it looks really good.

-Let's be generous with it.

-More is more.

-More is more.

Yeah.

-The marquee even includes a unique backdrop for photographs.

-Will be an added extra for the visitors, which hopefully they'll really enjoy.

It's just a bit of fun.

Whoa!

Timber!

Faced with the combined talents of the gift shop and banqueting, Anubis has collapsed.

[ Laughs ] And he's lost his head.

Okay, so if we get the three bits of the obelisk in -for that authentic... -Egypt Christmas.

-...Egyptian Christmas.

I'm starting to lose the plot, I think.

-What's an obelist?

This is an obelist?

This is an obelist?

-Obelisk.

-Obelisk.

But that looks pretty good, actually.

-I think it's going to work.

-When every visitor comes through the gates into the castle, they're rewarded by the image made world-famous by "Downton Abbey."

-Go on, straight up.

-And at Christmastime, there's new festive additions to the facade.

-Yeah, I think that's good.

This is tree number one of 36.

-36?

-Too many.

-Yeah.

Yeah.

I suppose there's a little bit of extra pressure on the fact that we've only got a week to do it.

If it was to stay the weather like this the whole time, it would be magic.

But I don't think it's going to be the case.

-Harry, what about up there?

-In the castle courtyard, to help keep the tight schedule on track, Sally's commandeered the office and estate team to help decorate.

-[ Laughs ] I'm going on top of the tree.

-Well, I hope it's straight.

'Cause I don't want to move it later.

-I'm just filming some of the action that's going on.

We have 360,000 followers on Instagram, so it's always good to get behind-the-scenes shots like this, because not everyone gets to see this when they visit the castle.

-So the entire castle has come out to play, which is absolutely brilliant.

We're getting the outside trees done as fast as possible.

-A few more trees to do, eh?

-Yeah, lots more trees.

-This is really helpful, because we were behind schedule, so I think we're going to be back on track by the end of today.

Hopefully.

As long as the weather holds off.

Please, please, please, no rain till it gets dark today.

♪♪ I said I didn't want any rain.

If it gets too wet, guys, we'll have to hold off.

Don't give yourselves all pneumonia by standing in the rain.

-This is beautiful weather.

What more could you ask for?

It's Christmas, isn't it?

-Everyone's doing brilliantly.

Even John is decorating.

Oh, my God.

-John loves Christmas.

-He loves it so much.

-I'm trying to go as quick as I can.

My fingers are frozen.

It's raining, and it's my favorite time of year.

-Aw!

-It was only on Saturday we still had visitors with our autumn tours.

It's a very tight turnaround before we welcome guests for the Highclere Christmas experience in three or four days' time.

-The forecast for this week has been dreadful.

We haven't even started on the four at the front of the castle yet, so potentially, this is going to be a bit of a nightmare.

-It's less than a week before the castle opens its famous doors to the public for Christmas.

-That definitely needs a lot more on it.

-And the theme for this year's decorations is inspired by ancient Egypt.

-We could put the rest of the beetles up there.

-I didn't put all of them.

-No.

Okay.

-Right, before I fire up the chainsaw, we're going to measure the tree.

-This morning, the focus is on preparing the castle's centerpiece.

-24.9.

-Lovely.

So we've definitely got room to play.

If the measurement is wrong, We either have a smaller tree, a bigger tree, or some upset people.

[ Chainsaw revving ] The whole doing the Christmas trees each year, it's a week's worth of hard graft.

It's got to be done.

We have a small window in which to achieve it, and so far, so good.

Good morning, Lady Carnarvon.

Your time is to perfection.

It's done.

-It looks a really lovely tree, Paul.

I can feel all the sap in it, which is a really good sign that it's fresh, isn't it?

I think this looks a very good choice.

But, you know, I don't doubt Sally and Paul's choice of Christmas tree.

We do the whole of Christmas ourselves.

We don't employ Christmas decorators.

We do it from Highclere with all the help at Highclere, including the big tree.

This does pull everyone together, and hopefully it goes really well.

-The ancient building the tree is being prepared in is no ordinary farm warehouse.

It's one of the oldest medieval barns in the world, dating back to 1438.

-This is one of my favorite places.

It's, I think, like a cathedral.

I think in a sense, George and I are looking after this part, this part of Highclere, for our lifetime.

So you want to leave its built and landscape heritage in better nick than you inherited it.

So we've been mending it and reusing the wood and splicing new oak in.

We've done three or four out of the eight bays, and each bay is about £250,000.

So it's coming out of other businesses, but it's a magical place to be.

I love hearing the birds in the rafters.

[ Birds chirping ] -I think I've only got seven more trees to go.

-At the castle, finishing touches are being made to the outside trees.

-Doesn't quite have the same effect in broad daylight, does it?

-Up to 8,000 visitors are expected through the gates this festive season.

-Right, let's get going.

-Christmas commander-in-chief Sally is overseeing the installation of 10,000 baubles, hundreds of spray-painted insects as part of her ambitious Egyptian theme, and 500 meters of handmade staircase garlands, which she started making almost a year ago.

-Right, okay, that's one piece.

Come close up to the pillars.

Today we're going to start getting the garlands up.

This is the main staircase, which really has to be the most spectacular.

-Is this all for the stairs?

-Yeah.

In a more conventional year, when we're doing Victorian-style decorations, we'll do quite exaggerated swags, because that's what the Victorians were all about.

-But that's right?

-Yeah, I don't think we want it swagged much more than that.

This time I am trying to avoid anything too conventional.

I'm fighting against the building.

The whole thing is grand Victoriana, if you like.

So it's going to be a bit of a challenge.

Okay, Harry, you're gonna have to get up these stairs now.

Come on.

You've got to go.

-The grand staircase is not the only challenge.

-Good level of dingle?

-Good level of dingle.

-On the back staircase, Sally has deployed another team to decorate three floors of banister.

-There's an awful lot of glitter.

-Yeah.

It's Christmas.

-Responsible for this is Sophie, Harry, and Liv, Sally's daughter, who has been drafted in to help.

-I think we need another bit of ribbon here.

-I think we need more ribbon, more gold.

-To make the dangle more of a dingle.

-Is this fine?

Is this a little bit too much?

-There we go.

-Do you know what?

Apart from that one bit down there, I think that looks beautiful.

-Yeah, it does.

-Good job, team.

-Beginners team.

The dream team.

-Big reveal.

-Well, I think you've -- Funnily enough, I would say you do need a bit of dingle-dangle.

-Is it not -- I thought you wanted less dingle-dangle.

-I said I didn't want it completely straight.

-It's not completely straight.

You're completely missing the dingle-dangle.

-The youngest member of my team is my fourth daughter, which is, I think, proving to be an interesting experience for both of us.

I think, in the words of the fish, just keep going.

-I think it's "just keep swimming."

But you were so close.

Almost there.

You did your best.

-Like any working mother, I always feel I don't see enough of my children.

But on the other hand, sometimes you can see a little too much, perhaps.

[ Laughter ] -Back on the main staircase, Sonny and Bea from the gift shop and housekeeper Sheena are almost done.

-It's sagged a bit again here.

You're too saggy.

-I beg your pardon.

-[ Laughs ] -Honestly.

-Love Christmas.

I love the glitter.

I love the people.

I love the mess.

I love the chaos.

It's just great fun.

-Okay, so let go.

Not you, Sheena.

-I think people like a bit of mess and chaos 'cause it makes it seem more real.

-Don't drop it.

Don't drop it down, okay?

-Sally and her team still have to adorn 12 balcony alcoves around the castle saloon.

-Don't lean on the balustrade.

It will come away.

They're very fragile.

It's quite delicate, not very strong sandstone.

And in between them are 16th- and 17th-century tapestries.

Bea, no, Bea, Bea, at the top.

-Don't you just love Christmas?

-Yeah, at this point, I start to go off it.

-With so much still left to decorate, the team have to work into the night.

-Sure it will all be worth it in the end.

[ Laughs ] ♪♪ -Christmas is a special time for Lord Carnarvon, who grew up on the estate with his father, the 7th Earl.

-It's great excitement always when the castle gets decorated for Christmas with Sally's new theme of all these glorious colors, and everyone's bustling around fixing lots of different trees and other decorations, and the big tree's coming soon.

I think we all like the lead-up to Christmas and the day.

And I always like Christmas pudding and brandy butter, bit of a flame on the Christmas pudding as it comes in.

All that kind of stuff is always very nice.

-Like his father and grandfather, Lord Carnarvon is an avid racehorse enthusiast.

He's come to one of the estate's three farms to check on his colt Leo, whose racing name is Yellow Lion.

-He's up in the corner, look, camouflaged against the fence.

His little friend Barney on the other side, who keeps him company.

-This 2-year-old thoroughbred is just home for the holidays from his race trainer, Richard Hannon, as the flat racing season has ended.

-Patience is a virtue in everything in life, and it's especially a virtue with anyone who wants to have horse in training.

They don't always perform early, but his friend who went with him, Pink Lily, showed some definite promise towards the end of the year, because she was third three times.

The last time she was third, she nearly won.

She was actually only beaten a short head, even though she was third.

-Lord Carnarvon's father was Queen Elizabeth II's racehorse manager for over 30 years, and her close friend.

The late monarch was also Lord Carnarvon's godmother.

-This year has been a momentous year of change.

Her Majesty the Queen sadly passed away.

I grew up knowing Her Majesty as a child and then as I grew up, and she was a friend of my father's, and my father was her racing manager.

And so the Queen had quite a long relationship with the estate, coming to the Highclere, visiting where I grew up, the Milford Lake House, and Highclere Castle itself.

So that's a very big moment and a sad occasion.

It's an enormous change for having a monarch who's been on the throne for so many years, all of our lives.

And then this massive change as we now move to King Charles' reign.

Queen Elizabeth was extraordinarily successful.

I'm sure King Charles will be, as well.

-It's the last day of decoration at the castle before public opening.

The 35 exterior trees are in place and adorn the front of the castle and courtyard.

Inside, the floral arrangements, crafted Egyptian motifs, and replica artefacts are installed in the state rooms.

There's just one centerpiece to go.

-That'll do nicely.

-Shall I get a stepladder to decorate it?

[ Laughter ] -We're putting the Christmas tree up in the castle.

It's a tradition that we all wear Christmas jumpers, including him.

-I made my own.

-The farm is going to bring the tree up.

Practically everybody who's here has to lift it in manually.

-Hello, Luis.

-Good morning.

-Flashy pants on.

-The challenge this year is, because of the nature of the Christmas decorations, I'm going to have to get more than I usually do on the tree while it's lying down.

So this is another dignified moment in my life where I will be wriggling around on the floor.

[ Laughs ] -What's coming?

-Christmas is.

Oh, look.

There's a tree there.

♪♪ [ Laughter ] -With everyone in position and briefed, it's time to carry the 1 1/2-ton, 24-foot fir tree into the Grade I listed castle.

-Whoa, whoa, whoa.

We've got to get it in the door.

Watch the -- Watch the chandelier, please.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

-Tree down.

-Ready?

-Okay.

-Bend the knees.

-Alright.

Are we going?

-Men.

Men.

[ Indistinct talking ] -John, what you doing?

-Sally under the tree.

-[ Laughs ] -The tree is too high to use ladders to decorate all of the upper section, so before it can be lifted into position, the decorations must first be attached.

-Keep making sure that all the colors are different round each other, please.

All this Pilates paying off.

[ Laughs ] -I think there are some large characters at Highclere with quite individual ideas of what they're doing.

And funnily enough, putting the Christmas tree up does bring us all together.

-This is slightly the moment of truth, 'cause the tree's got to go up.

Fingers crossed.

Um... [ Laughs ] -Everyone is now in position to hoist and lift it.

-Ready, steady, go!

-Oh, and here they all come off.

Gently.

Never mind.

[ Cheering ] -I'm relieved.

Always the last tree, always the one that it's going to cause -- if there's going to be any problems, this is the one that's going to cause a problem.

But, no, lovely.

All to plan.

-Why is that ladder so wobbly?

-Do you want me to chuck it at the top?

-Chuck it over.

-Okay.

-There you go.

-Rather high up the ladders, all secure, but getting the electric, the tree lights up is always a bit exciting.

I'm not the greatest one at climbing.

That's why I'm staying on terra firma.

[ Laughs ] -More is more.

Too much is not enough.

[ Laughs ] -I love doing Christmas every year with everyone.

Me and Luis were talking about it yesterday.

It's like first time we met, I was like 4 or 5, robbing the kitchen for biscuits, and then getting older and older, now he's, like, letting me try the gin and getting me cocktails and stuff.

I mean, they all basically raised me.

It's nice sort of spending Christmas doing all of this.

It's like an actual family kind of thing.

-Geordie, have your moment.

Pick a ball, any ball.

-Pick a good one, Lord Carnarvon.

-Yeah, pick a ball, any ball.

It's huge fun, and today especially with everybody here.

But it is the culmination of a lot of hard work by my team.

It's just nice to see.

And I hope everyone enjoys it, because it would be rather depressing if they didn't after all of this.

-At Highclere, after a frenetic five days of preparations, it's almost time to open the doors to the public for the festive season.

-The scary bits.

-But not until housekeeper Sheena has done her final checks.

-Right, I think all the lights are switched on for our first day of Christmas tours.

It's looking beautiful and sparkly, so here's hoping the public enjoy it.

-It's taken 24 staff, 36 trees, 10,000 baubles, and half a kilometer of garlands to deck the halls.

And the opulent 24-foot Christmas tree in the saloon is now a glistening centerpiece.

-Morning, sir.

Welcome to Highclere.

-There you go.

-Thank you very much.

-A successful four weeks of Christmas visitors can bring a much needed boost to the castle's coffers.

-Absolutely beautiful, especially the lining of the driveway.

Definitely the festive cheer.

-The tour starts at 9:50.

-9:50?

-9:50?

Better run.

-At visitor reception, Paul is welcoming the first arrivals.

-Numbers today are 174 lucky people coming to Christmas tours and afternoon teas.

-Used to wearing many hats at Highclere, Paul is on standby to don his festive one.

-My other role is Father Christmas.

And my uniform, as I call it, is in my car.

And I can put it on at this -- at a moment's notice.

-How are we doing for numbers, Paul?

-We're still waiting on 10, John.

-It's wonderful to be back.

There are other challenges in the world this year which are never far from people's minds, but a little bit of escapism and seeing these wonderful houses decorated as they are, I hope and trust it's the start to a wonderful Christmas for all our visitors.

-The Highclere Christmas experience entitles guests to a guided tour of the castle, followed by a seasonal tea in the marquee, transformed into an Egyptian oasis by Sally and her elves.

-It's a really nice feeling to be opening for Christmas, particularly after the last few years, and we're beginning with Christmas tours and afternoon tea, so what better place to start?

Thank you very, very much for coming, indeed.

-Inside the saloon, Lady Carnarvon provides a personal welcome beside the majestic centerpiece.

-It's an extraordinary Christmas tree, and we have decorated it with the theme of gold, because this is the year we're celebrating the centenary of the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun.

-If you'd like to follow me, we'll start our tour.

Heading this way.

-Guide Christine leads the first tour for what will be her eighth Christmas at the Castle.

-I'm very pleased to be open for Christmas.

I actually think the castle's looking the best I've ever seen it.

It really is.

This Egyptian theme is something else.

This room, it's Italianate Gothic Revival.

It's a party room.

And obviously "Downton" used it in the same way.

-Christine comes from a long line of loyal Highclere employees.

-Think about five generations of my family have had some connection to the castle.

My great-grandfather was a coachman here.

He was offered the opportunity to train as a chauffeur when the mechanical horse came along, and he turned down the opportunity because he liked a drop of the o-be-joyful, and the horse would find his own way home.

-Right, so the guests are arriving in about 15 minutes.

-In the marquee, head butler Luis is briefing his team and expects gold-standard service for the high tea.

-You offer them a hot drink -- tea or coffee -- cakes, sandwiches, and, of course, mince pies, yeah?

I think people are really going to love decorations.

It's different, and I think people will have a bit of sense of humor and find it quite funny and original, as well.

Can I help, Chef?

Looks like we got a full house.

-Come on, then, let's go.

Walk with me.

-Chef Paul and three assistants are preparing all the afternoon's baked goods.

-They'll go to the back of the marquee.

It gets more exciting when it starts to rain.

Can you grab the other mince pies and bring them over?

Tinfoil-covered, please.

There's about 30 stands per sitting.

We'll bring over the sandwiches, the refrigerated.

The mince pies are ready to rock 'n' roll.

Scones will be coming over a little bit later when they've just come out of the oven.

And we'll serve 180 afternoon teas in about three hours.

-And with Lord and Lady Carnarvon in residence for Christmas, this year, Paul will be busy right up to and including the big day.

-This year, I get to spend Christmas here with the team.

We'll produce a little bit of lunch for the Carnarvons to enjoy upstairs with their friends and family, and I will shoot home, I don't know, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00 and go see my family and have a little bit of time.

-Hello.

Uh, horrible weather.

-With the first tour of the day complete, the guests start to trickle in.

-It's England, very British.

My name is Luis.

I'm the butler for the house.

And I've been here for 14 years.

-Oh, wow.

-So I'm before "Downton," BD.

-Yeah.

-She'll look after you.

-Thank you.

-Okay, got more guests arriving.

-While front of house present a polished exterior, behind the scenes, things are not going to plan.

-So we're having a few power problems right now.

We seem to keep fusing out.

So try and keep some of the food cold.

Not a problem today.

It's freezing here.

It's keeping the food warm.

Um, but we are getting there.

It's glamorous here, isn't it?

[ Laughter ] -You've been shopping?

-Yeah.

-Is there anything left in the gift shop?

-Little bit.

Not huge amount.

-You've done a good job.

[ Laughs ] You do have a heater here, so if you get too hot, let me know, and I'll -- -It's perfect.

-Oh, no.

-We're from Florida.

-Absolutely lovely.

-Cheers.

-Cheers.

-To a lovely, lovely day.

-Cheers to happy memories.

-Happy memories.

-Let's go this way.

Ohh.

I'll tell you what, it's cold.

-The high teas and the themed decor are going down a treat.

-You ready for this?

Cheers!

-I had no idea about the family's history with the Egyptians.

I like that they're able to tie together something that's important to the family, then back to the Christmas season.

-The first sitting, I think it went quite well.

I think everybody's really happy.

Food's been done really well.

They enjoyed the decorations.

So I think really good.

You see the folly there on your right.

-During the festive opening, 75 tours will pass through the castle.

-We are now on our 8th Earl of Carnarvon.

So this family goes back a very long way.

-When Geordie and I took over, the castle was never opened at the Christmas period.

So it's been a new departure.

-It is a new departure, but it's also chimed with a greater demand and a need for people to come to a place like Highclere at Christmas and see it really properly decorated for Christmas and flourishing in its own way with all the different colors we can lay on not just the Christmas tree, but all the different glorious types of arrangements in all the different rooms.

And I think that's now part of what people want to feel in their whole lead-up to Christmas, really.

-So you got 800 baubles.

-Luis counted them.

-Tonight, with the castle closed, the Carnarvons are hosting a special event for the Friends of Highclere.

-They send me up in the larder.

If a butler falls, they'll find someone else to replace.

This is a very exclusive event.

We're going to do three of these events this year around Christmas.

This is the famous champagne of Queen Victoria, and, of course, Queen Victoria, back in the day, she used to come here.

-Wonderful.

Thank you so much.

-Nothing better than a glass of champagne by the fire.

-Thank you.

No.

I feel very Christmasy now.

-Well, we started Friends of Highclere trying to both welcome people who can't travel here through the seasons all the time and welcome them here in real life.

-We're admiring your beautiful Christmas decorations.

-Oh, it's fun, the decorations, aren't they, yeah.

Sally and her team did an amazing job.

-The purpose is also to create some money for the heritage of this castle, for the bills that are coming up, for the tower, for all the unseen costs that kind of come and whack you as you live here every day.

This room, it's so beautiful.

It faces south and east.

And for lunch or supper, if you fill it with candles, it is such a treat.

It is more intimate.

-I've been following Highclere online for quite some time, and obviously seen "Downton Abbey" and following Lady C, and it's an absolute treat to be here.

You know, to see it without other people seems really special.

-This evening's event is a book club, which will also be broadcast live to members in the U.K. and abroad.

-Yeah, you look gorgeous.

Yeah.

-She's quite striking.

-Very.

-Tonight's book is fashion guru and journalist Susannah Constantine's autobiography.

-Geordie's sister was one of my best friends at school, and our boarding school was very close by, and we used to come here almost every weekend.

Yeah, so, so many fond memories of being here.

-In the iconic library, the group take their seats as the webcast begins.

-Action!

-Ooh, we're off, are we?

Well, welcome to Friends of Highclere and our book club this month, and I'm delighted to be welcoming Susannah Constantine with her great new book.

-I suddenly realized I had all these extraordinary anecdotes.

Oh, my God, I was there when the Queen fought over a teapot with Margaret Thatcher.

Oh, my God, I was there when Elton John first met the Queen Mother, staying at the Queen Mother's house.

-There are some very funny stories.

-There are some jaw-dropping stories.

Yes.

Fantastic.

Thank you so much.

-Thank you so much.

-Brilliant.

Thank you, ladies.

-Just need to do a few more.

-Thank you.

-It's almost the end of an exceptionally busy day in the Christmas diary, but Lady Carnarvon isn't off duty just yet.

-Nighttime tuck-out for the horses.

Hi, babes.

How are you doing?

Don't dribble over me.

Every evening I do the horses.

Last night it was in my pajamas.

And tonight it's in a velvet coat.

But anyway, never mind.

What do you want for Christmas?

Carrot?

What do you think you want?

I don't know.

You're gonna have to run really fast next year.

Do you know that?

Night-night.

-Soon one of the Carnarvons' other horses will be swapping the stables for the castle.

Highclere is a visitor attraction, but it's first and foremost a home where Lord and Lady Carnarvon can welcome friends and especially family.

-We're waiting for my number-six sister Georgie and her two daughters, my nieces Susu and Lara.

It's really nice spending Christmas with lots of children, and they've come round an unexpected direction, as usual.

Hello.

My God, what are those trousers?

They're very trendy, Georgie.

-Lord and Lady Carnarvon's son Edward has also come home to visit.

-Hello, my darling.

How are you?

-And how are you?

-Good.

-Good?

Looking very smart.

You all match.

Hello, Georgie Porgie.

How lovely to see you.

-I love having Georgie and her kids down here.

It's always very special and always a treat, 'cause obviously I'm not here as much as I used to be.

-Simba.

Heel!

Simba.

-Simba.

-Such a good girl.

-This is how dogs should behave.

Actually, she's doing a pretty good job.

-Heel.

No, you're pulling ahead of me, Simba.

Wait for me.

I thought I could make a wreath using some of this.

-You're so clever, Foey.

I think it's so creative.

I'm more of a forager of the buying kind.

-Georgie forages in Harrods.

-[ Laughs ] -There are actually six of us.

Fiona's number one, and I'm number six.

It's pretty special coming down here.

She's amazing, the way she sort of opens her arms to all of us.

Probably rolling in poo, let's face it.

-In something really smelly.

-Don't touch Winston.

-Coming here is really fun because we always go for walks and then we get to see all the dogs.

-Shall I let him off for a little bit?

-Prepare never to see him again.

-It's much greener and nicer.

The city is, like, more crowded.

-Well done, Ed, holder of the basket.

Christmases are magical at Highclere.

Just being in the castle, having the run of the place, it is so special.

Hanging out with our family, that's what it's all about.

I mean, there's no point in having a castle if you can't fill it with the people you love.

-I've actually got some lunch cooking for you.

Do you want a bit of delicious chicken?

-Lady Carnarvon may be hosting a small gathering today, but soon the core Highclere team, including butler Luis, will be catering to the family on a much larger scale.

-This year, family's in residence.

So over Christmas period, they're going to be in.

So I'll be serving.

So I'm going to work Christmas this year, and then I'll have New Year's off.

It'll be probably between 15 and 20 people every day.

Some days might be bigger, but it's going to be amazing.

-Foey's not known for her wrapping skills.

-Thank you.

That's why Lara and Susu are my new wrapping elves.

-[ Giggles ] -The kitchen staff will also be on duty this Christmas.

-It sounds weird to be happy about working Christmas Day, but there's such a good vibe here.

You know, we are like our own little mini family, and there's a joy about it.

The Carnarvons often pop through to the kitchen, wish us merry Christmas.

"What's for lunch, Chef?

Standard joke.

It's always turkey.

[ Laughs ] And generally Christmas pudding for, funnily enough, pudding.

-Before they can think about Christmas lunch, they need to get into the festive spirit.

-Winter cocktail names, Lady Carnarvon.

-The Festive Pharaoh.

-Well done.

We've got that one.

-We are going to have a little virtual cocktail party, which we used to do through COVID, and it became hugely popular.

We actually ended up having 70,000 to 80,000 people tune in to watch Geordie and I drinking.

And in order to make it slightly, I suppose, eccentric to start with, Phoebe, my Arab filly, is going to bring in the gold gin with me.

And we've already had a practice, which went well and not so well.

We had a little accident just coming in the castle, didn't we?

-Are we putting any glitter in her tail, or is she just having au naturel?

-Outside in the stables, grooms Maggie and Sam are getting Phoebe dressed for the occasion.

-I'm just literally being Maggie's little helper.

Um, just holding Phoebe just to keep her still while we make her look all pretty for her castle entrance.

So she's, um -- she's pretty quiet anyway.

She quite enjoys being pampered and played with.

Don't you?

Eh?

Santa's little elf.

-Christmas at Highclere is very much like putting on a theatrical stage performance.

Everyone's all joined together and putting on this wonderful show.

And we're the nutcrackers that come in the end of the night and tidy it all up, basically, but, yeah, yeah, it's good fun.

-The things I do.

-And for receptionist and chauffeur Paul, it's time to get suited up to play his biggest part of the year.

-I think my role today is to be, uh, obviously, Santa Claus.

When Phoebe goes -- Phoebe's a horse.

So when Phoebe leaves, I enter and I become Santa Claus.

I did this a couple of times, and I got to sit down.

I got some mince pies, which is quite good.

Santa Claus likes mince pies.

-Three different cocktails we're going to make today.

-In the saloon, Lord Carnarvon and Luis are poised to host the cocktail demonstration, with Lady Carnarvon calling the shots and her assistants Hannah and Caitlin capturing it all on-camera.

-So we're starting with these two welcoming everyone to the virtual cocktail party.

Geordie, are you listening?

-This is the rehearsal, isn't it?

-No, this is the real thing.

We're going for it.

Hang on.

My blue bag's gone with my gin in it.

John hid it.

-No, he didn't, but I'll take one for the team.

Christmas is a special time.

I've got three boys.

And, um, you know, it's when families come together.

And, you know, the last few years, that hasn't been straightforward or possible.

-We're in the Highclere Castle saloon with a glorious Christmas tree.

And Luis is going to tell us a little bit about some cocktails we're going to create this evening.

-The first cocktail we're going to make is using champagne.

It's going to call Pharaoh -- Festive Pharaoh.

-Festive Pharaoh, yeah.

I think we try and encourage quite a team spirit of all the staff here.

And, of course, at Christmas, we're all looking forward to the celebration on Christmas Day and the lead-up to it.

-[ Doorbell rings ] -Ah, I hear someone at the door.

I wonder who that may be.

I better go check it out.

-We've got a gin delivery for you.

-A gin delivery?

-We have.

-Christmas is a togetherness, basically.

It's one time of the year with the castle when we really do pull all in together.

As this lot out the window.

-No, get off my windows!

Little buggers, they'll get hand marks on them now.

-Ho ho ho!

-[ Bell ringing ] I heard you were short a gin.

So I brought one from my own cellar.

-Ah.

-Wait a second, Santa.

It's half bottle.

-On the whole, the e-mails stop coming in, the phone stops ringing, and you can put your feet up and enjoy the odd, uh, light libation.

-Have a little try and see what you think.

-Oh, delicious.

I'll look after this one for you.

-Will you?

That's great.

Christmas, if you think at heart of it, is about peace and goodwill and a brotherhood of man.

And in a sense, that's what happens with the spirit of the Highclere team, I think.

-It's been a glittering end to a big year where everyone has pitched in to help bring this family business back to life.

-Here's to you, Santa.

-And to you both.

Merry Christmas to all.

-Come the new year, the team will need to put their thinking caps on again to keep drawing the public in to this magnificent house and home.

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